Filipino Innovations Take Center Stage at the 2026 Alfredo M. Yao Innovation Awards

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) has recognized outstanding Filipino ingenuity at the 2026 Alfredo M. Yao (AMY) Innovation Awards, celebrating two groundbreaking inventions focused on healthcare, sanitation, and sustainable development.

Held at the Manila Hotel alongside the 52nd Philippine Business Conference and Expo, the ceremony highlighted innovations with the potential to address pressing societal challenges and contribute to the country’s economic growth.

Named after Filipino businessman Alfredo M. Yao, whose company received the first ASEAN Business Award in Innovation, the awards recognize socially relevant, Filipino-developed inventions with the potential to create meaningful economic and community impact.

Agapita: Improving Communication for Stroke Survivors

The collegiate category award went to Jose Gian Tubera of Angeles University Foundation for Agapita: An Offline Sketch-to-Speech Communication System for Stroke Survivors with Broca’s Aphasia.

The system transforms patients’ rough sketches into clear, spoken clinical requests without requiring an internet connection. Designed for individuals who experience difficulties expressing themselves following a stroke, Agapita offers a practical communication solution that could help improve interactions between patients and healthcare professionals.

Its offline functionality is particularly valuable in settings where connectivity and access to speech-language pathologists are limited. By making communication more accessible and affordable, the innovation could support more responsive and inclusive healthcare services.

HOCLOMAC: Affordable and Sustainable Disinfection

In the professional category, Dr. Francis Aldrine Uy of USHER Technologies Inc. received recognition for HOCLOMAC, a portable, low-cost hypochlorous acid generator.

Using electrolysis, the device produces disinfectant on demand from readily available materials. Its design aims to reduce recurring sanitation expenses while minimizing plastic waste associated with conventional disinfectant packaging.

HOCLOMAC has potential applications in healthcare facilities, schools, and agriculture, offering a scalable approach to decentralized sanitation. By enabling users to produce disinfectant locally, the technology demonstrates how practical engineering can support safer environments and more sustainable operations.

Championing Filipino Innovation

AMY Awards Chairman Antonio Sayo praised both recipients, emphasizing how Filipino creativity can translate into real-world solutions. The awards were presented by government and industry leaders, including Vice President Sara Duterte, PCCI President Ferdinand A. Ferrer, and other representatives from the business and intellectual property sectors.

Through the AMY Innovation Awards, PCCI continues to promote research, entrepreneurship, and technology development among Filipinos.

The recognition of Agapita and HOCLOMAC underscores the importance of homegrown innovation in addressing healthcare challenges, improving sanitation, and advancing sustainable development. More importantly, these achievements demonstrate how Filipino inventors can create solutions that benefit communities while strengthening the country’s innovation ecosystem and economic competitiveness.

Globe Makes History with First-Ever Golden Arrow Hall of Fame Award

Globe has once again demonstrated its unwavering commitment to the highest standards of corporate governance, earning Five Golden Arrows from the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD) and the ICD’s first-ever Hall of Fame Award, having consistently received the Five Golden Arrow Award for the fifth consecutive year. This remarkable milestone highlights Globe’s outstanding and sustained leadership in upholding transparency, accountability, shareholder protection, and responsible business leadership.

“It is truly an honor to be recognized for our commitment to corporate governance and its principles and best practices. And to be recognized consistently for it for 5 consecutive years is such a profound privilege. It is a testament to our relentless determination to embed a governance culture in the organization alongside our business,” said Marisalve Ciocson-Co, Globe’s Chief Compliance Officer and Senior Vice President for Legal and Compliance.

The distinction recognizes Globe's performance as a publicly listed company under the ASEAN Corporate Governance Scorecard (ACGS), which evaluates shareholder rights, sustainability and resilience, transparency, and board accountability. Five Golden Arrows is reserved strictly for publicly listed companies with a score of 115 points or higher.

To achieve this top-tier rating consistently for five straight years underscores Globe’s ability to maintain high governance standards under an updated ACGS framework aligned with the G20/OECD Principles of Corporate Governance, which demands, among others, elevated transparency on sustainability, digital governance, and ESG integration.

Globe’s half-decade track record as a Five Golden Arrow Awardee is preceded by earlier recognitions dating back to 2012, when it became the only telecommunications company recognized at the Philippine Stock Exchange Bell Awards for Excellence in Corporate Governance. Over the years, it continued to receive distinctions for corporate governance, including Top 20 Publicly Listed Companies in the ASEAN Corporate Governance Awards, Top Performing Publicly Listed Company in the Philippines.

“At Globe, our purpose anchors everything we do: we treat people right to create a Globe of Good. That means protecting shareholders’ rights, being transparent and accountable in our decisions, and taking responsibility for the service our customers depend on. The same purpose guides how we govern and how we serve,” said Carl Cruz, Globe President and CEO.

The recognition also reflects the strong governance culture across the Ayala Group, with Ayala Corporation and Bank of the Philippine Islands likewise earning Five Golden Arrows this year. For Globe, maintaining the highest distinction for five consecutive years reinforces the importance of sound governance in supporting responsible innovation, sustainable growth, and long-term business success.

New Sites Serving GIDAs in Visayas and Mindanao: PLDT, Smart Ramp up Bayanihan SIM Momentum via Network Expansion, Community Activation

PLDT Inc. and its wireless arm, Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), are ramping up their support for the government-led Bayanihan SIM program through network expansion, community engagement, and sustained SIM activation initiatives, helping deliver the benefits of connectivity to more underserved and unserved communities across the country.

Recently, Smart has successfully fired up sites serving geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs) in Argao, Cebu; Matalam, Cotabato Province; Talakag, Bukidnon; Silago, Southern Leyte; and San Vicente, Palawan, supporting education, agriculture, and local businesses, as well as helping local governments enhance the delivery of government services to their constituents through stronger network coverage.

Smart is also deploying interim connectivity solutions such as femtocell and satellite connectivity to identified unserved areas to enable meaningful digital participation among Bayanihan SIM beneficiaries while long-term new site rollouts are still underway.

"Connectivity is only meaningful when it is actively used. As we continue to roll out our network, we must also help more Filipinos make the most of the digital opportunities that connectivity makes possible," said PLDT Chief Operating Officer and Network Head Menardo G. Jimenez, Jr., who is also PLDT’s representative to the Presidential Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC).

Accompanying these network efforts, Smart has also intensified local activation campaigns to urge Bayanihan SIM beneficiaries to maximize their SIM cards. These include registration support activities, on-ground assistance, and handset and device raffle promos, among others, which are intended to encourage the activation of distributed SIMs.

Through the Bayanihan SIM program, Smart has already distributed more than 422,000 SIMs across 152 underserved and unserved sites nationwide. The company continues to collaborate with government partners to drive adoption and expand access in more locations.

These efforts are supported by an ongoing network modernization and expansion program that includes both interim and permanent connectivity solutions. While temporary technologies help accelerate service availability in remote areas, Smart is also fast-tracking the rollout of new sites to ensure reliable and long-term connectivity.

The Bayanihan SIM program is a key initiative supporting the government’s push for nationwide digital connectivity, underpinned by Smart's mobile network and PLDT's fiber infrastructure, the country's most extensive. The PLDT Group's continued investment in enhancing its integrated fixed and wireless network is part of the Group’s broader commitment to deliver leveled-up customer experience across the country.

Smart's continued support for the Bayanihan SIM program aligns with the broader goal of expanding access to digital services for underserved Filipinos, reinforcing the company's mission of enabling connectivity that empowers communities, supports education, and creates opportunities for inclusive growth.

Vivo V80 Pre-Orders Offer Fans a Chance to Meet ENHYPEN Members in Manila

MANILA, Philippines — Vivo Philippines is giving fans of K-pop group ENHYPEN an exclusive opportunity to meet JUNGWON, JAKE, and SUNGHOON in person through its upcoming Vivo V80 Lights Up Christmas event on November 12, 2026, at SM Mall of Asia Hall.

The first 100 customers who successfully pre-order the Vivo V80 through the official Vivo Philippines e-store will receive a VVIP ticket to the event. Pre-orders will run from October 26 to November 8, 2026, or until all 100 slots have been filled.

To qualify, customers must place their orders exclusively through shop.vivo.com and pay a non-refundable PHP 1,000 down payment. Each eligible pre-order is entitled to one VVIP ticket, subject to the promotion's terms and conditions.

Qualified customers must settle the remaining balance in full by November 9, 2026. Those who fail to complete payment by 11:59 p.m. on the deadline will forfeit their reserved tickets, while their initial down payments will remain non-refundable.

After full payment, Vivo Philippines will contact eligible customers to coordinate ticket arrangements and verify their identities. Attendees must present a valid ID during verification and bring the same identification document, along with their complete online order number, to the event. Tickets are strictly non-transferable and are tied to the original purchaser's registered ID and order number.

Vivo V80 Launch Set for October 30

Ahead of the November gathering, Vivo Philippines will officially launch the Vivo V80 on October 30, 2026, at 6 p.m. The launch will be livestreamed on the brand's official Facebook page, allowing fans to discover the new smartphone online.

Interested viewers can click “Going” on the event page to receive updates and reminders about the livestream.

ENHYPEN Members Join Vivo, Friends

JUNGWON, JAKE, and SUNGHOON are among the newest Vivo Friends, strengthening the smartphone brand's connection with Filipino fans through an exclusive in-person experience.

“ENHYPEN’s fans will have a limited opportunity to see ENHYPEN JUNGWON, JAKE, and SUNGHOON in person through this event,” said Liu Lu, Vivo Philippines Brand Marketing Director. The executive encouraged interested customers to pre-order through the official e-store and carefully review the payment deadlines and ticket requirements.

With limited VVIP tickets available, fans are encouraged to complete their pre-orders early. For the full promotional mechanics and the latest launch announcements, customers can visit Vivo Philippines' official social media channels and e-store.

The promotion combines the arrival of the Vivo V80 with a special fan experience, giving eligible customers an opportunity to celebrate the holiday season alongside three members of ENHYPEN.

Bloomberry’s FUNaloMAX Launches PHP 30M Year-End Campaign to Expand Digital Gaming Presence

Manila, Philippines — As part of its strategic push to broaden its digital entertainment presence, Bloomberry Resorts Corp.’s online gaming platform FUNaloMAX has launched a PHP 30M year-end campaign designed to strengthen user engagement and capture rapid growth in the Philippines’ digital gaming sector, pouring in grand prizes such as a brand-new Tesla Model 3 and 250 Apple iPhone 18 Pro units.

The rollout comes amid the increasing demand for online gaming among Filipinos. Recent industry data shows that player engagement in the Philippines has been transitioning towards digital channels, with national gross gaming revenue (GGR) projected to increase by about 17% through 2030, primarily driven by growth in the e-gaming sector.

By anchoring its Q4 expansion through a rewards program built around transparency and player trust, Bloomberry is positioning FUNaloMAX as a reliable platform in the country’s competitive online gaming space.

“Our Q4 campaign is designed to reward our players and solidify FUNaloMAX’s positioning as a premier, trust-driven digital gaming destination in the Philippines,” said Kelvin Kuan, Vice President for Online Gaming at Bloomberry Resorts Corp. “By introducing high-impact engagement, FUNaloMAX aims to set a new benchmark for transparent, user-centric digital entertainment in the industry.”

Running from October 17 to December 27, the campaign features a multi-tiered reward structure designed to sustain long-term player engagement. It combines recurring weekly prize draws with monthly and year-end incentives.

The campaign will kick off by giving away 250 Apple iPhone 18 Pro units awarded across 10 weekly draws. Players earn one entry for every PHP 5,000.00 in accumulated turnover on eligible slot and bingo games, with no raffle entry cap.

Complementing the weekly giveaways are monthly draws offering PHP 150,000 in bonus credits to two winners on November 29, followed by a PHP 1 million bonus credit prize on December 27.

Headlining the entire campaign as the grand raffle prize is a brand-new Tesla Model 3 in Red, to be awarded during the grand draw on December 27.

Driving this nationwide expansion is a foundational commitment to responsible gaming, player protection, and regulatory compliance. As a PAGCOR-licensed platform, FUNaloMAX operates under strict regulatory safeguards including Know-Your-Customer (KYC) identity verification, data security protocols, and voluntary self-exclusion tools to foster a safe gaming environment.

Under these guidelines, only eligible, KYC-verified FUNaloMAX users may participate and claim campaign prizes. Suspended, frozen, or ineligible account holders are strictly excluded from participating.

For more information and updates, visit funalomax.com or its official FUNaloMAX Facebook page.

Gambling is for 21 years old and above only. Gambling can be addictive. Know when to stop. For more information and assistance, call the National Problem Gambling Hotline at (02) 8248-9568 or email ResponsibleGaming@pagcor.ph.

Globe Supports Faster Telecom Permitting to Bring Connectivity to More Communities

Faster infrastructure approvals can help bring better connectivity to more Filipinos. Globe welcomed the progress made by local government units (LGUs) nationwide in streamlining telecommunications permits, emphasizing the importance of continued cooperation between government and the industry to accelerate network expansion, particularly in underserved and remote communities.

Permitting is a critical step between network planning and actual deployment. Reducing administrative delays allows telecommunications providers to move planned cell sites and network upgrades into construction sooner, helping improve services in communities that need them most.

That progress is gaining ground across the country. The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) reported that 12,241 permits and clearances for telecommunications infrastructure projects had been approved across 707 cities and municipalities as of September 2026, supported by reforms aimed at simplifying local permitting processes. Executive Order No. 32, issued in 2023, streamlined requirements for telecommunications and internet infrastructure and called on LGUs to process applications within prescribed timelines and prevent backlogs.

“Faster permitting is important in bringing better connectivity to more Filipinos. We appreciate the efforts of LGUs to simplify these processes and help telecommunications providers move forward with their projects. Continued cooperation between government and the industry will help us expand our network and reach more communities, especially those that remain underserved,” said Joel Agustin, SVP and Head of Network Planning and Engineering at Globe.

The development comes as Globe continues to invest in improving its network to meet growing demand for reliable mobile and home internet services. In the first half of 2026, the company recorded ₱26.3 billion in capital expenditures, with 91% allocated to data-related initiatives. During the same period, Globe deployed 878 new 5G sites and 80,052 fiber-to-the-home lines, while its outdoor 5G population coverage exceeded 98% in Metro Manila and key cities in the Visayas and Mindanao.

Sustained network investment, supported by faster and more predictable permitting, can help move infrastructure from planning to deployment sooner. Globe will continue working with national agencies and LGUs to accelerate network rollout and extend reliable connectivity to more communities across the country.

For more information about Globe, visit www.globe.com.ph.

Coca-Cola Philippines Named Brand of the Year at SMARTIES™ Philippines 2026

MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Coca-Cola Philippines has been named Brand of the Year at the SMARTIES™ Philippines 2026 Awards and received eight awards across categories including omnichannel marketing, artificial intelligence (AI), personalization, commerce, and retail media. Organized by MMA Global, SMARTIES™ Philippines recognizes marketing campaigns that combine creativity, technology, consumer insights, and measurable business results.

The recognition reflects Coca-Cola Philippines’ continued focus on creating more relevant and personalized experiences for Filipino consumers. Two award-winning campaigns drove this achievement: Coca-Cola Festive 2025, which used data-informed audience targeting and storytelling to make holiday connections more meaningful, and Grab’s Year in Cravings, which turned consumers’ food-ordering habits into personalized digital experiences.

For Coca-Cola Philippines, the Brand of the Year recognition is not simply an industry accolade. It reflects the company’s approach to turning consumer understanding into experiences that are meaningful for people while delivering measurable business impact.

Creating More Meaningful Holiday Connections

Among the recognized work was Coca-Cola Festive 2025, which earned Gold for Omnichannel Marketing and Silver for Innovative Use of AI in Advertising.

Built around Coca-Cola's annual Christmas platform, the campaign brought the brand’s festive story to Filipinos through a connected ecosystem of television, outdoor, digital, and retail experiences. It combined television and outdoor advertising with digital platforms including Meta, YouTube and TikTok, while Connected TV placements helped extend the campaign into family mealtime moments at home.

The campaign also brought its festive message to life through activations such as the Emoji Cup promotion with quick-service restaurant partners and Sound of Home, an initiative that helped connect Filipinos in the country with loved ones working overseas.

The Innovative Use of AI recognition highlighted Coca-Cola Philippines’ use of data and AI-enabled audience targeting to deliver more relevant festive communications and identify growth opportunities across regional markets. By combining audience insights and local market information, the campaign connected with consumers at more relevant moments throughout the holiday season.

Making digital experiences more personal

Together with Grab, Coca-Cola Philippines also earned six awards for its partnership with Grab through the “Year in Cravings” report.

The campaign received Gold awards for Customer Growth & Conversion Strategy and Instant Impact/Promotion, Silver awards for Brand Experience and Personalization, and Bronze awards for Retail Media/O2O Excellence and Customer Growth & Conversion Strategy.

Inspired by year-end recap experiences, Year in Cravings gave users a personalized look at their food-ordering habits, including customized food personas and insights based on their favorite meals and cravings.

The experience also introduced personalized food and Coca-Cola beverage pairings within the Grab app, allowing consumers to revisit and reorder their favorite food-and-drink combinations. By combining personalization, commerce, and consumer insights, the campaign transformed everyday ordering behavior into a more engaging digital brand experience.

The collaboration brought together Coca-Cola Philippines, Grab, agency partners, and teams to turn consumer insights into experiences that connected digital engagement with commerce.

“These recognitions reinforce the importance of staying close to consumers and understanding what matters most to them,” said Frenissa Lagman, Marketing Head of Coca-Cola Philippines. “Whether through personalized digital experiences, data-informed marketing or festive campaigns that celebrate meaningful connections, our goal remains the same: to create experiences that feel relevant, memorable and rewarding for Filipinos. These awards encourage us to continue finding new ways to connect with people through creativity, technology, and a deep understanding of what matters most in their everyday lives.”

Together, the awards demonstrate Coca-Cola Philippines' success in developing campaigns that resonate with consumers across different channels and turn creative ideas into engaging brand experiences.

Learn more about Coca-Cola Philippines and its latest initiatives at www.coca-cola.com/ph.

Vivo V80 Brings Galaxy-Inspired Starwish Purple Design to the Philippine Smartphone Market

MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Smartphone brand vivo is preparing to introduce the upcoming vivo V80 to the Philippine market, featuring Starwish Purple, a galaxy-inspired colorway designed for users who view technology as an extension of their personal style.

The new finish uses vivo’s Laser Holographic Lithography technology to create its True 3D Stellar Design. Visible to the naked eye, the technology produces layered, shimmering patterns across the phone’s back cover, creating a galaxy-like appearance that changes depending on the angle and lighting. From natural sunlight to indoor illumination and city lights, the reflective surface delivers a distinctive look throughout the day.

Designed with Gen Z consumers in mind, Starwish Purple combines smartphone aesthetics with self-expression. Its shifting purple hues offer a standout detail for users who enjoy coordinating their devices with their fashion, accessories, and social media content. The reflective finish can also serve as a visual accent in everyday photos, making the smartphone an additional element of a user’s personal aesthetic.

The vivo V80 was first teased through a Facebook post by vivo Philippines. The preview featured the brand’s newly announced vivo Friends Jake, Jungwon, and Sunghoon from K-pop group ENHYPEN, offering fans an early glimpse of the device ahead of its expected Philippine arrival.

Beyond its distinctive color, the vivo V80 features an upgraded, one-piece cold-carved glass construction. The design combines a refined appearance with a silky-smooth surface intended to provide a comfortable grip. Its glass finish is also designed to resist dust buildup, helping the device maintain a cleaner appearance during everyday use.

Adding to its visual identity, the smartphone incorporates a floating camera module that complements the layered, galaxy-inspired back cover. Together, these design elements create a contemporary look suited to different occasions, from daily activities to evening outings.

The upcoming vivo V80 reflects the growing appeal of smartphones that combine practical everyday use with distinctive styling. For consumers who prioritize aesthetics alongside their mobile devices, Starwish Purple offers another option in a market where design increasingly contributes to purchasing decisions.

Further details about the vivo V80’s Philippine launch have yet to be announced. Interested consumers can follow vivo Philippines on its official social media channels or visit the official vivo Philippines website for updates on the upcoming smartphone.

The Next Frontier: MVP Group Leaders Urged to Go Beyond AI Use Cases, Transform Workflows in ‘AI 2.0’ Era

With artificial intelligence rapidly evolving, organizations must go beyond simple AI use cases and instead rethink workflows, reimagine organizations, measure ROI based on business outcomes that matter, and lead and govern for AI risk management, architecture, and security.

This was among the key insights discussed at the 20th Annual Corporate Governance Enhancement Session (ACGES), themed “The Next Advantage: Driving Strategic Business Growth Through AI,” where global AI thought leader Dr. Ayesha Khanna, CEO and Co-Founder of ADDO AI and Founder of Amplify, highlighted the emergence of the Agentic Era and the growing role of autonomous AI agents in transforming how businesses operate.

Group Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan joined more than 500 directors, advisory board members, and executives from across the ACGES participating companies at the annual governance session held on October 2, 2026, at Makati Shangri-La. Attendees represented a broad cross-section of the Group's businesses, including publicly listed companies, PLDT Inc. (PLDT), Manila Electric Company (Meralco), Philex Mining Corporation, PXP Energy Corporation, Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (Maynilad), and Roxas Holdings Inc. (RHI); as well as public companies Digital Telecommunications Phils, Inc. (Digitel), Asian Hospital, Inc., Medical Doctors, Inc. (Makati Medical Center), Lucena United Doctors, Inc., Diliman Doctors Hospital, Inc., and Davao Doctors Hospital (Clinica Hilario), Inc., and registered issuers NLEX Corporation and Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC). Other attendees were from Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC), Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), Multisys Technologies Corporation (Multisys), ePLDT, Inc., VITRO Inc., PLDT Global Inc., Maya Philippines, Inc., Voyager Innovations, Inc., Kayana Solutions Inc., Metro Pacific Health Corporation, Metro Pacific Health Tech Corporation (mWell), Cignal TV, Inc., TV5 Network, Inc., and MediaQuest Holdings, Inc.

‘Bet on humanity’

In his welcome address, PLDT Director, Executive Vice President, and Chief Operating Officer Menardo “Butch” G. Jimenez, Jr. drew from his own experience using AI to support decision-making and enterprise transformation, citing AI's potential to enhance productivity and accelerate innovation while emphasizing the importance of retaining human judgment in an increasingly AI-enabled world.

“What if AI stops the next generation from learning how to think? What if they stop because something else is doing the thinking for them? So that’s something to be concerned about,” said Jimenez, underscoring the need to preserve critical thinking and accountability and ensure responsible adoption to better navigate both opportunities and risks presented by emerging technologies. “Between betting on AI and betting on humanity, I will bet on humanity. We’ll figure it out eventually.”

Workflows, not just AI use cases

In her keynote address, Dr. Khanna urged companies to move beyond AI use cases and focus instead on transforming workflows to drive growth, especially as industries enter the next era of AI, where AI agents are expected to lead.

“To succeed in the agentic era, we must stop using old-school words like ‘use case’. This notion of specific small AI achievements is no longer how people are thinking. It has failed. People now think of entire workflows,” she said, adding that organizations that successfully scale AI will be those that align technology investments with strategy while building the talent, governance frameworks, and operating models needed to thrive in the AI era.

The session also featured a fireside chat moderated by PLDT and Smart Public Engagement Group Head Roby Alampay, with Dr. Khanna and PLDT Independent Director Dr. Erika Fille T. Legara.

The discussion emphasized that successful AI transformation starts with clear business and customer outcomes, supported by the right technology, data, and redesigned workflows. Panelists also stressed that human accountability must remain central as AI gains greater autonomy, making AI fluency and the ability to bridge technology and business increasingly important skills.

For the Philippines, this shift presents an opportunity to strengthen its position in the emerging AI economy. “We are fast learners. We are digital natives,” said Dr. Legara, adding that there is a need to fundamentally rethink the current Philippine curriculum to be able to produce the workforce of the future and develop Filipino professionals who can combine AI expertise with business strategy. “What we need for organizations to transform are people who understand both worlds, and who can translate the language of business and the language of tech,” she said.

The Annual Corporate Governance Enhancement Session is a flagship program of the PLDT Board, in collaboration with other ACGES participating companies, that brings together Group directors and officers to strengthen governance practices and explore emerging trends shaping business leadership. Now in its 20th year, ACGES continues to serve as a strategic platform for governance learning and collaboration among the companies. [

Globe Leads NTC SMS Quality Test, Posts Strong Mobile Speeds and Call Reliability

Globe delivered strong results in mobile data, messaging, and voice services in the latest joint quality-of-service tests conducted by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), recording download speeds of up to 381 Mbps while meeting regulatory standards for SMS success and dropped calls. The findings reinforce broader government data showing measurable improvements in Globe’s network performance throughout 2026.

In tests conducted across Metro Manila, Globe recorded the highest average SMS success ratio among the three mobile operators at 99.41%, making it the only provider to meet the NTC’s prescribed standard of above 99%. Globe also posted a 0.74% average call drop ratio, comfortably within the regulator’s threshold of below 2%, demonstrating strong performance in essential communication services.

Mobile broadband testing likewise showed Globe capable of delivering high-speed connectivity, with a peak download speed of 381 Mbps. Across all three operators, the NTC reported that 113 of 142 test campaigns recorded speeds above 50 Mbps, describing mobile broadband performance in most areas tested as very satisfactory.

“These results demonstrate the strength of Globe’s network in delivering the essential services Filipinos rely on every day, from making calls and sending messages to accessing mobile data,” said Atty. Froilan Castelo, Globe General Counsel. “We welcome the NTC’s continued monitoring as it provides an important measure of service quality and helps us identify where further improvements are needed.”

The NTC findings come alongside broader improvements recorded by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) through its nationwide Oplan Bantay Signal monitoring. Globe’s overall performance score increased from 77.2 in January to a year-high 82.6 in September, while average download speed rose 41% from 36.5 Mbps to 51.53 Mbps over the same period.

Reliability has also remained a clear strength despite Globe serving the country’s largest share of mobile subscribers. In September, Globe accounted for 44.76% of the mobile market but only 6.1% of disconnection complaints, with complaints declining 64% from January levels, according to the DICT’s Telco Report Card.

Globe continues to strengthen its network through targeted infrastructure improvements, accelerated site deployment, and the expansion of coverage in underserved communities. These efforts include prioritizing areas where additional infrastructure can benefit more Filipinos and pursuing satellite direct-to-cell technology to extend connectivity beyond the reach of traditional mobile networks.

Vivo V80 Lite’s 10,000mAh BlueVolt Battery Supports Busy Lifestyles

MANILA, PHILIPPINES – From busy workdays to spontaneous city adventures, smartphone users rely on their devices to stay connected, accomplish tasks, and capture everyday moments. However, when battery levels run low before the day ends, even the simplest activities can become inconvenient.

Addressing this everyday concern, Vivo is highlighting the newly launched Vivo V80 Lite, featuring a massive 10,000mAh BlueVolt Battery designed to support extended smartphone use. Through social media content, creators are showcasing how the device fits into their demanding schedules and diverse lifestyles.

Powering Workdays and Creative Pursuits

For Dr. Xavier, a dentist, professor, and Cebu-based food and travel blogger, a typical day involves balancing multiple responsibilities. His routine takes him from surgery and clinic duties to teaching, before switching to content creation. Photographing food, filming videos, taking selfies, and producing social media content are all part of his daily activities.

By the time he gets home and checks social media for the last time, his phone still has power, even as he prepares to call it a day.

Meanwhile, Filipino model, businesswoman, actress, and Supermodel Universe International 2025 Yna Angela Uy faces a schedule that can stretch from consecutive meetings to late-night shoots.

In her Instagram content, she demonstrates how the Vivo V80 Lite helps ease battery-related worries, allowing her to concentrate on professional commitments and creative projects without constantly checking her phone's remaining charge.

Lifestyle content creator Bernadeth offers another perspective through a day exploring Binondo. From sampling local food and visiting coffee shops to working and squeezing in a gym session, her itinerary leaves plenty of opportunities to capture memorable experiences.

The Vivo V80 Lite's 10,000mAh BlueVolt Battery supports her active routine, while its 50MP Sony Main Camera and 32MP HD Selfie Camera help document food discoveries, city scenes, and selfies along the way.

More Freedom for Everyday Adventures

Although their schedules differ, these creators share a common need for reliable smartphone power. Whether managing professional responsibilities, producing content, or exploring new destinations, having sufficient battery capacity can make a difference throughout the day.

With its 10,000mAh BlueVolt Battery, the Vivo V80 Lite is designed for users who need their smartphones to keep up with demanding routines beyond the traditional nine-to-five schedule.

Consumers can pre-order the Vivo V80 Lite until October 16 through the Vivo Store app or Vivo e-store. Available pre-order perks include a ₱1,000 discount, free Vivo Buds Air3 worth ₱1,799, and a Magnetic Premium PU Leather Card Case.

For users who want to spend less time worrying about battery levels and more time getting things done, the Vivo V80 Lite brings battery capacity and everyday convenience into focus.

Globe Extends GDay Relief Efforts to 200 Typhoon-Hit Families in Pampanga

Globe expanded its GDay relief efforts to Guagua, Pampanga, reaching 200 families affected by the recent typhoon with relief, connectivity, and livelihood assistance. The activity brought together Globe employee-volunteers and the local community as families continued to recover from severe flooding.

While floodwaters have subsided in parts of Pampanga, affected families continue to deal with damage to their homes and livelihoods. Globe employees prepared and distributed relief packs to residents in Guagua, and SIM cards were provided to help families stay connected with loved ones.

The effort also included support for residents looking for additional sources of income as they recover. Selected beneficiaries received reseller starter kits that can provide an opportunity to earn within their communities, while Globe Fiber Prepaid kits were raffled off to participating families.

“Even after the floodwaters go down, families still have a long way to go as they rebuild their homes and livelihoods. Through GDay, our employees were able to be there for communities in Guagua and provide help that they can use as they recover,” said Mel Baquiano, Globe General Manager for North Luzon.

The Guagua relief activity followed Globe’s recent GDay efforts in Tarlac and Nueva Ecija, where employees worked with Kaya Natin Youth–Tarlac City and assisted more than 100 families in Brgy. Sawat, Camiling. The two-day effort also provided school supplies to students at Sawat Elementary School and food and school supplies to children at Bahay ni San Jose Orphanage in Nueva Ecija.

“Recovery takes time, especially for families whose homes and livelihoods have been affected by flooding. We appreciate Globe and its employee-volunteers for reaching our communities and providing assistance that can help our residents as they recover from the typhoon,” said Hon. Rowena D. Dimalanta, Barangay Captain, Barangay Sto. Cristo Guagua, Pampanga.

The GDay relief efforts in Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, and Pampanga show what Globe of Good means in practice: Globe employee-volunteers giving their time and skills to help communities where they can make a difference. It is a commitment Globe brings to life through its people, partnerships, and continued engagement with communities across the country.

For more information about Globe, visit www.globe.com.ph.

PH Businesses Must Build Workforce Resilience Amid Severe Weather Systems - AscentHR

Manila, Philippines — As severe weather systems and typhoons continue to disrupt regular business operations across the Philippines, AscentHR, a leading provider of HR technology, payroll, compliance, and workforce solutions, is urging enterprises in the country to strengthen their operational resilience by modernizing their workforce management infrastructure.

This follows the latest data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), which reported a drop in average weekly hours worked from 40.6 hours in July to 39.2 hours in August this year. According to the PSA, bad weather was a primary factor causing millions of employed Filipinos to work fewer hours, directly impacting worker take-home pay and creating administrative complexity for employers managing variable shifts, overtime, and statutory reporting.

The latest PSA report also highlighted that while overall unemployment eased to 5.3% in August, underemployment remained high at 11.9%, representing approximately 5.9 million employed Filipinos seeking additional working hours or secondary income. Coupled with severe weather that forced disruptions, businesses face various challenges, including maintaining workforce productivity while ensuring fair, transparent, and accurate compensation during the affected operating cycles.

Labor market disruptions from extreme weather events are increasingly recognized as a macroeconomic challenge across the Asia-Pacific region. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO)

, heat stress and extreme weather disruptions account for millions of lost working hours annually in tropical climate zones, significantly impacting labor-intensive and shift-based operations such as manufacturing, retail, logistics, and multi-site operations.

AscentHR emphasizes that while physical disaster recovery plans remain a priority for corporations, operational continuity must extend directly into workforce administration, particularly in managing fluctuating work hours, shift differentials, and complex pay calculations without administrative friction or compliance errors.

"Operational resilience isn't just about disaster recovery, but it's about having payroll and workforce technology agile enough to accommodate weather disruptions and seasonal hours without administrative drag," said Subramanyam Sreenivasaiah, Founder & CEO of AscentHR. "When extreme weather disrupts standard working patterns, business agility depends on automated shift tracking, flexible variable-pay engines, and real-time compliance safeguards that ensure employees are accurately compensated without delay."

As local enterprises gear up for anticipated fourth-quarter seasonal hiring and ongoing weather contingencies, AscentHR urges businesses to examine their HR tech infrastructure for flexibility, localized compliance, and real-time data visibility.

"As weather patterns become increasingly unpredictable, businesses cannot afford legacy HR and payroll systems that bottleneck operations during emergency adjustments. Investing in secure, automated, and compliant workforce technology protects both the organization’s bottom line and the economic well-being of its workforce," Sreenivasaiah adds.

As one of the top HR and payroll solutions providers in the APAC region, AscentHR enables enterprises to navigate regional compliance, multi-country payroll, and workforce volatility through secure, scalable platforms including PowerPay and StoHRM. By integrating AI-driven automation, cloud analytics, and localized compliance features tailored for the Philippine market, AscentHR helps organizations absorb operational disruptions while maintaining data security and employee trust.

For more information, you may visit https://ascent-hr.com.

Baguio Deploys AI to Improve Ease-Of-Doing-Business in Pine City

Baguio City is testing how AI can help businesses determine whether their proposed ventures comply with local zoning rules, as the city refines a digital tool developed with support from PLDT and Smart’s AI-in-a-Box program.

AI-in-a-Box is the PLDT Group’s initiative to make artificial intelligence more accessible to communities, combining digital tools, connectivity, and training to help organizations and local governments turn emerging technologies into practical solutions.

Earlier this year, PLDT and Smart, with support from PLDT Smart Foundation, Lenovo Philippines, and Microsoft, provided the Baguio City government with an AI access kit, which includes a laptop, a smartphone, a connectivity device, and premium access to AI tools.

“Technology for good means using innovation to address real needs in our communities,” said Stephanie V. Orlino, AVP and Head of Stakeholder Engagement at PLDT and Smart. “Through AI-in-a-Box, PLDT and Smart are working with local government units not only to provide access to AI, but also to build their capacity to develop practical solutions. We hope these efforts can help local government units (LGUs) make public services more responsive and meaningful for the people they serve.”

Earlier this year, select LGU staff from Baguio City underwent a three-month AI mentorship and acceleration program under PLDT and Smart’s AI-in-a-Box to enable them to create an AI-powered solution that can help improve its public service delivery.

The program has led to ‘BIZ Checker’, an online tool that helps applicants determine whether a proposed establishment is allowed in a particular location based on the city’s zoning classifications and requirements.

“Using the platform, the client or the applicant can see if their business is appropriate for that site,” said Roland Bautista, Senior Project Evaluation Officer of the Baguio City Planning, Development and Sustainability Office.

The tool is designed to address a common pain point in the permitting process: applicants sometimes discover only after approaching the city that their documents are incomplete or that their proposed establishment is not permitted in their chosen location.

BIZ Checker also includes ‘Rolly Bot’, a chatbot that draws on government documents and data to provide information to users. During the pilot, Bautista said, even some people who were less familiar with technology were able to use the system through their phones.

“Some of them are non-techie, but when it comes to gadgets, even a few 60-year-olds are learning to use their phones to access the solution,” he said.

Testing the system also helped the city identify areas that still need to be refined. Bryan Sombilon, Senior Project Technical Specialist of the Baguio City Planning, Development and Sustainability Office, said the team encountered additional permits and requirements that needed to be accounted for.

“We have to account for businesses that will be operating on government-owned properties. These are situations we encountered during the pilot, and now we know they also need to be reflected in the system,” he said.

The city is also reviewing its zoning rules, which means the system will need to keep pace with changes in regulations.

“The city is updating some ordinances that date back to the 1990s to make them more relevant to current needs,” Bautista said. “When the new zoning ordinance is finished, we will put it into the system and update it.”

The team regularly reviews the system and makes corresponding changes when regulations or requirements evolve.

For Sombilon, keeping the technology aligned with actual government processes is just as important as developing the tool itself. The team is looking at how it can be incorporated into the city’s operations and sustained over time.

“We need to institutionalize the system and integrate it into the government process. We need to plan for its sustainability, budgeting, and how it will be maintained as well,” he said.

The AI mentorship also influenced how the team approached the solution, pushing them to look beyond the technology and better understand the people who would use it.

“We were guided in terms of knowing more about our target audience, like their personas,” Sombilon said. “It’s really important when we craft the solution to know the personas of the target audience that we want to cater to.”

As the team prepares to present BIZ Checker at the PLDT and Smart’s AI in Action Summit in November, it continues to refine the system based on what it has learned from the pilot. The team hopes the technology can eventually make the permitting process more seamless, while keeping human support available when applicants need further explanation.

“Rolly Bot is there, but of course, we are always around to offer our services to Baguio City residents, especially those who prefer face-to-face interaction,” Bautista said.

For Sombilon, the project demonstrates how AI can be applied to a specific government service by using existing data and documents to make information more accessible to constituents.

“AI can really help make government processes easier,” he said. “We provide the system with data and documents from the government, allowing it to learn from the information we have and provide more accurate answers to constituents.”

Baguio City’s experience shows how local governments can explore AI as a practical tool for addressing specific service challenges. Through AI-in-a-Box, PLDT and Smart continue to support LGUs in developing solutions that respond to local needs, advance digital inclusion, and promote technology for good.

The country’s summer capital is one of four LGUs taking part in a mentorship program under the AI-in-a-Box initiative. Cebu City, Cabanatuan City, and the province of Lanao del Sur are also developing their own AI-powered tools to improve public service delivery.

The initiative also supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 9 on Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, which calls for fostering innovation and building resilient infrastructure to support inclusive and sustainable development.

Different Goals, Different Habits, One Place to Save: Find Your Savings Style

Saving means different things to different people—from managing daily expenses to building an emergency fund or planning for the future. But with competing priorities, knowing where to put your money first can be challenging. TransUnion’s most recent Consumer Pulse Study found that 49% of Filipino consumers increased their emergency savings, while Sun Life’s 2026 Financial Resilience Index found that managing daily expenses is the top financial priority for more than half of Filipinos.

With priorities ranging from daily needs to future goals, saving is ultimately about finding habits that fit your life and give your money purpose.

To help Filipinos navigate their personal finance journeys, Jax Reyes, a well-known finance content creator recognized for making personal finance and money management more accessible online, shares practical advice on everything from saving and budgeting to making the most of your money.

“Not making a move is still a move. Not making a decision is still a decision. Every month, nakaupo yung pera mo sa same account. That is still a decision. But do you know that the quietness in that decision is costing you something?” said Jax.

Through a series of modules, Jax helps you identify what type of saver you are, find an approach that works for you, and discover how you can make your savings work toward your goals. Have a look and see which type of saver you are:

“May Naitabi” — The Accidental Saver

For the “Ay, may natira pala” saver, putting money aside isn’t always part of a carefully planned routine. Savings happen almost by accident—whatever remains after bills, essentials, and a little spending. The catch is that when this extra money stays in the same account as everyday funds, it can easily get spent without getting noticed.

A simple way to make this habit more intentional is to give those small, irregular amounts a dedicated place to stay. With a high-yield savings account in GSave, even your may naitabi money can earn up to 3.5%, instead of simply sitting in your account. After all, saving doesn’t always have to start big—it can start with whatever you have left, as long as you make the effort to keep it saved.

“May Huhugutin” — The Rainy-Day Saver

For the “may huhugutin” saver, having a financial safety net brings peace of mind. You like knowing there’s money set aside for the unexpected, but when your emergency fund sits in the same account as your everyday money, it can be tempting to treat it as part of your daily spend. One way to make your emergency fund work better is to give it a dedicated place, separate from the money you use day to day.

With a dedicated GSave account, your emergency savings can be kept out of sight from your everyday balance, while still remaining accessible when a genuine need comes up. Because when it comes to rainy-day funds, the goal is may huhugutin when you really need it—not when you’re short on your weekend splurge.

“May Pinaglalaanan” — The Goal-Setter

For the “may pinaglalaanan” saver, every peso has a purpose. You may be saving for a long-awaited trip, a big purchase, or another goal that you’re hoping to check off soon. The challenge comes when goal money and everyday spending share the same account—you have to constantly keep track of what’s “untouchable” and what’s actually available to spend.

Giving each goal its own dedicated place can make saving feel more tangible and help you stay accountable. With GSave, you can set aside money for a specific goal and easily see your progress along the way, without having to do the mental math every time you check your balance. After all, it’s easier to reach your goals when you see how far you’ve come.

“May Pinaghahandaan” — The Future Thinker

For the “may pinaghahandaan” saver, saving is all about thinking ahead. You’re not just preparing for your next purchase or vacation—you’re setting money aside for bigger milestones, whether that’s a future home, your child’s education, retirement, or another long-term dream. But when those savings simply sit in a regular account for years, they may not be doing much beyond waiting for the day you need them.

Giving long-term savings a dedicated place can help you stay focused on the future while allowing your money to potentially grow over time. With GSave, you can set aside money for tomorrow in a dedicated account, while options like UNO Time Deposit offer rates of up to 5.5% p.a. for funds you’re ready to set aside for longer. This way, you can keep money for today separate from what you’re preparing for tomorrow—and let your savings start working toward that future today.

“Hindi lang talaga siya about dapat magaling ka sa pera. It’s really about choosing a partner kung saan mo dapat ilagay. Saan siya mas magwo-work hard for you? Sometimes, the convenience, the complacency, is costing you. This is [an option] where you can put your money where it’s working for you—that’s what’s important. This is the real upgrade. Because siyempre, we all want it to be easy, but pinaka-importante is that I want it to be beneficial for you as well,” noted Jax.

Want to find the saving style that works best for you? Explore Jax’s modules on saving for practical tips on building better saving habits.

This October, Your Savings Could Come With More Reasons to Grow

Whatever your savings style, putting your money aside can be more rewarding when you have more reasons to stay on track. This October, GSave gives savers another reason to make their money moves count with GCash Shake It Up!

You don’t have to wait until payday to get started—simply open the GCash app each day and tap on an eligible product, such as GSave or GFunds, to unlock one free daily shake. Each shake automatically gives you one raffle entry for a chance to win Php 10,000 in cash, while also giving you the chance to score instant shopping vouchers worth Php 1, Php 50, or Php 200.

Save to Win Bigger

Ready to level up your wealth? Save or invest at least PHP 1,000 in eligible Wealth Management products like GSave or GFunds to earn one raffle entry per ₱1,000 deposited (for GSave, funds must remain in the account for at least 7 days).

The promo is open to both new and existing users, giving everyone a chance to win exciting prizes throughout the campaign. Up for grabs are: 

• October 1-15: One Yamaha Aerox scooter
• October 16-31: The campaign's grand prize of PHP 500,000 in cash

There’s no one right way to save—the best approach is the one that fits your habits, goals, and priorities. Whether you’re may naitabi, may huhugutin, may pinaglalaanan, or may pinaghahandaan, giving your savings a dedicated place can help you stay intentional about where your money goes. Because smart money habits don’t have to feel restrictive—they can help your money grow while giving you something to look forward to along the way.

To open an account on GSave, you must be a Filipino Citizen, at least 18 years old, and a fully verified GCash user. Ready to grow your money? You may access GSave through the GCash dashboard or find it under “Grow.” No GCash yet? Download the GCash App on the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, or Huawei App Gallery. Kaya mo, i-GCash mo!

Globe Business Highlights Next Wave of Growth with Digital

As organizations accelerate investments in cloud, artificial intelligence (AI), and digital technologies, many discover that adopting technology is only the beginning. As businesses expand across physical and digital channels, fragmented systems and disconnected technologies can increase complexity, slow expansion, and affect the customer experience. Increasingly, organizations realize sustainable growth depends not on adding more technology, but on orchestrating technologies to work together and create greater business value.

Globe Business convened nationwide business leaders from retail, financial services, healthcare, and energy utilities at the recently held G Summit 2026 to discuss how unified digital foundations enable organizations to scale faster, strengthen customer trust, and respond more effectively to changing business demands.

Building digital-ready foundations requires organizations to look beyond individual technology investments. It requires the discipline to orchestrate them into a connected ecosystem where every capability works toward a common business goal. Dennis Wong, Globe Business Senior Advisor, said organizations that adopt this mindset are better positioned to turn technology investments into real business outcomes instead of isolated projects.

"First, you need to have very reliable connectivity for access,” Wong said. “Number two, you need to have a scalable cloud platform. Number three, once you have all this, you need to have a very secure infrastructure. Next, it's all about the collaborative tool. You need to have the right API to link everything together. If the network folks, the cloud folks, and the security folks don't talk to each other, your transformation is not going to happen."

Across retail, financial services, and healthcare, sector leaders reiterated that true enterprise resilience stems from embedding technology directly into business strategy. In the retail sector, Walter Yu of AC Retail (ACx) and Anko stressed that cybersecurity must be designed into transformation efforts from Day 1 rather than added as an afterthought during system integration. Dustin Lacap of McDonald’s Philippines echoed this mindset, noting that future-ready cloud infrastructure is a business growth decision, not simply an IT initiative. As organizations expand, integrating cloud capabilities into their broader technology ecosystem helps simplify operations and support long-term growth.

In financial services, Suzelyn Urbano shared how GCash is using AI to drive innovation across the enterprise—reimagining how teams work, accelerating ideas into impact, and unlocking new possibilities for the business, while ensuring AI adoption remains secure, responsible, and guided by human judgment. Healthcare organizations are undergoing the same transformation. Atty. Gideon Peña noted that customers no longer compare an HMO only with another HMO, but with the best experiences across industries. For iCare, this means using technology to simplify claims processing, reduce friction, and deliver faster, more responsive omnichannel experiences.

What powers physical and digital infrastructure is equally important as regional economies expand. As energy providers modernize to support expanding urban centers, Globe Business works alongside utility leaders to deliver the connectivity, cloud intelligence, and security needed to maintain grid resilience.

Mark Anthony Kindica of Visayan Electric Company highlighted how bridging disparate platforms with modern network tools transforms energy distribution for over half a million Cebuanos. He explained that true enterprise value emerges when isolated digital systems work together, enabling utilities to shift from reactive troubleshooting to predictive maintenance. Similarly, Arvin Padayhag of Davao Light and Power Company Inc. and Aboitiz Power Distribution Utilities emphasized that physical assets and enterprise IT must evolve together. He observed that orchestrating technology, data, and teams builds a more resilient infrastructure, adding that robust cybersecurity is an indispensable component of power reliability.

For industry leaders, the real challenge was never choosing the right technologies. It was making them work together seamlessly to deliver meaningful business outcomes. With Globe Business as an end-to-end partner integrating connectivity, cloud, and security capabilities, organizations across industries can focus on what matters most.

"You should be focusing on the business. You should be focusing on your customer,” Wong said. “That's where Globe Business wants to be. We want to be your trusted partner. We want you to be able to focus on the right thing, and we will be able to support you, design, and orchestrate all these fundamental things with you.”

Bloomberry Expands Digital Gaming Portfolio, Launches OnlyFun.PH

Manila, Philippines — Bloomberry Resorts Corp. is expanding its digital gaming business with the launch of OnlyFun.PH — the country’s first regulated live interactive entertainment platform combining gaming, livestreaming, and creator-led content.

The new platform forms part of Bloomberry’s FUNaloMAX digital portfolio and is designed to tap the growing preference of Filipino consumers for mobile entertainment, livestreaming, and real-time interaction.

OnlyFun.PH combines online gaming with live shows hosted by digital personalities and streamers. Users can interact with hosts and other content while accessing gaming features within the same platform.

Bloomberry said the service complements FUNaloMAX, its core online gaming platform, while allowing the company to reach consumers looking for a more social and interactive form of digital entertainment.

“As digital entertainment continues to reshape how Filipinos consume content, the launch of OnlyFun.PH reflects our mission to meet the demand of modern consumers for interactive, creator-driven media,” said Kelvin Kuan, Vice President, Head of Online Gaming at Bloomberry Resorts Corp.

Kuan said the platform seeks to offer a locally tailored mix of gaming and live entertainment while maintaining responsible gaming safeguards.

“By combining regulated gaming with live digital entertainment, we are delivering a fresh, locally tailored format that sets a new benchmark for online entertainment in the Philippines while upholding strict responsible gaming standards,” he said.

OnlyFun.PH operates under the license and regulation of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR). The platform uses Know-Your-Customer (KYC) identity verification, data security measures, and built-in player controls intended to provide a safe and secure user environment.

Bloomberry said it plans to gradually expand OnlyFun.PH by introducing more original interactive programs and features, as well as partnerships with additional hosts, content creators and streamers.

The launch further expands Bloomberry’s presence beyond its traditional integrated resort operations as the company builds its position in the country’s growing regulated digital gaming market.

DSWD Brings UPLIFT Financial Aid Straight to GCash Wallets to Help Households Absorb Rising Living Costs

For families facing rising costs and financial pressures, government assistance can provide much-needed support to meet immediate needs and regain stability.

To make that support easier to access, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), in partnership with GCash, is expanding digital access to DSWD UPLIFT assistance, giving eligible beneficiaries the option to receive subsequent payouts through their GCash wallets.

The initiative supports the rollout of the government’s Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) Program, a relief initiative established under Executive Order No. 110 to help protect vulnerable sectors and cushion the impact of global oil shocks and rising inflation. Under the expanded DSWD UPLIFT Assistance Program, targeted cash assistance will reach 7.5 million households through DSWD.

The digital disbursement initiative also comes as the government works to cushion the impact of the energy emergency on vulnerable families nationwide. By expanding access to digital channels, beneficiaries can receive subsequent assistance through a more convenient and accessible option, reducing the need to spend additional time and resources accessing government support.

While the initial DSWD UPLIFT payouts will be distributed in cash, beneficiaries are encouraged to transition to digital channels for succeeding disbursements. As part of the UPLIFT Caravan, GCash is supporting the initiative by assisting beneficiaries with account onboarding, giving those who choose GCash the option to receive future assistance directly through the GCash Fund Disbursement Service (FDS).

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said it was the President's directive to disburse the much-needed aid in a quick and convenient manner, understanding that beneficiaries need immediate relief.

"Mula ngayon hanggang sa December, kapag kukunin n'yo na yung ₱2,000 n'yo, sa digital wallet na lang," he stressed. (From now until December, when you claim your ₱2,000, you can receive it directly through your digital wallet.)

Along with this, Secretary Gatchalian encouraged those who do not have a digital wallet yet to set one up so they can receive the funds without the hassle.

"GCash is honored to continuously support DSWD in expanding digital access to government services. Access is not only about receiving support, but also about making the experience more convenient, secure, and dignified for the people we serve. By giving beneficiaries a digital option, we hope to make DSWD UPLIFT assistance easier to access while giving them greater choice in how they receive and manage their financial support," said GCash Vice President and Head of B2B Sales, Cleo Celeste Santos.

The partnership demonstrates how digital financial services can make social protection more accessible while helping beneficiaries take greater control of their financial assistance. By bringing government support directly to beneficiaries through a channel they can access and manage digitally, the initiative aims to reduce barriers to receiving assistance and help create pathways toward greater financial inclusion and opportunity.

For more information, visit https://www.gcash.com.

SHDA Welcomes DOJ Opinion Streamlining Land Transfers, Calls for Uniform Guidelines to Accelerate Affordable Housing

Manila, Philippines – As the country faces a critical need for affordable housing, the Subdivision and Housing Developers Association (SHDA)—the country's premier housing developers' organization—backs a Department of Justice (DOJ) legal opinion that removes a major bureaucratic hurdle to acquiring land for new communities.

DOJ Legal Opinion No. 16, Series of 2026, states that private agricultural land transactions without an existing Notice of Coverage (NOC) no longer require a Land Transfer Clearance (LTC) from the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR). The DOJ determined that the five-hectare retention limit, which served as the legal basis for the clearance, ceased to be effective following the statutory cutoff on June 30, 2014, also known as the CARPER Deadline.

For housing development proponents, the LTC has been an added administrative step before land acquisition can move forward. Removing it for unencumbered titles lets developers proceed more efficiently toward title transfer, project financing, permitting, construction, and site preparation. For SHDA, speed does not mean cutting corners. Housing developers remain committed to full compliance with existing national and local laws, including, but not limited to, DAR land use conversion requirements, local zoning ordinances, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) environmental clearance requirements, and other housing development regulations.

“Predictability in land administration is important to keeping housing projects moving,” said Engr. Francis Richmond Z. Villegas, SHDA Chairman of the Board. “A clear and consistent process allows developers and other stakeholders to make informed decisions, manage project timelines, and pursue investments with confidence. We see this as an opportunity to support a framework that is responsive to the needs of the housing industry while remaining aligned with existing laws and regulations.”

SHDA members build 80% of the homes produced in the Philippines each year. The association said that reducing transaction costs and administrative delays is a step toward expanding the supply of affordable homes for Filipino families.

Even with the clearance requirement lifted, SHDA said that consistent implementation will decide whether these gains are felt on the ground. To ensure an orderly transition, the association is urging DAR, the Land Registration Authority (LRA), and Registers of Deeds (RODs) to issue joint administrative guidelines establishing standardized procedures and documentary requirements nationwide.

"The DOJ opinion gives the industry legal clarity. What we need now is the same clarity on the ground. Joint guidelines from DAR, LRA, and the RODs will ensure that every office applies the ruling the same way, so landowners, developers, and financial institutions can move forward with certainty," said Mr. Kerwin V. Padua, SHDA National President.

SHDA reiterated its commitment to continued dialogue with government agencies toward a clear, efficient, and predictable land administration framework that supports responsible development and addresses the country's housing needs.