Manila Standard - 2025 May 31 - Saturday

Stalled impeachment proceedings irking House leadership

By Charles Dantes and Maricel V. Cruz

PNP resurrecting probe into PCSO official's slay

Teves’ return to PH came with conditions

By Rio N. Araja

By Charles Dantes and Maricel Cruz

THE impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte is no longer in the hands of the Executive branch, a Palace official said on Friday.

TBy Pot Chavez and Charles Dantes

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) is reopening its investigation into the 2020 murder of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) board secretary Wesley Barayuga.

HE Philippine government secured the deportation of expelled Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves, Jr. by agreeing to East Timorese authorities’ conditions that he could never be meted the capital punishment nor be imprisoned for more than 40 years if found guilty in a fair trial.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla yesterday said Manila assured the Timor-Leste government that all its conditions will be honored.

On Sunday, PNP Chief Police General Rommel Francisco Marbil said he ordered the reopening of the cold case after whistleblower Police Lt. Col. Santie Mendoza told the House Quad Committee that he helped carry out the killing at the behest of ex-PCSO general manager Royina Garma. Mendoza narrated before congressmen how Garma allegedly facilitated the PCSO official’s roadside assassination on July 30, 2020 by providing the necessary information about his schedule, details about his vehicle and the funding necessary to carry it out.

The whistleblower also implicated incumbent National Police Commissioner Edilberto Leonardo in the planning of the murder.

In the certificate of handover signed by Philippine and Timorese officials, the Philippine government was informed that Teves cannot be sentenced to death: “Even if it were to be reinstated [in the Philippines], it could not be imposed in this case, as it cannot be applied retroactively.”

“The President was very clear that from the start, he does not want an impeachment because there may be other legal means to hold people accountable,” Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro said.

“But now the Vice President has been impeached. This is no longer in the hands of the President. It was just a suggestion on his part if the impeachment could have been avoided. (But now), we all know the impeachment trial is not the business of the Executive.”

She said the President will not interfere in the impeachment proceedings against Duterte, emphasizing the importance of respecting institutional processes and the separation of powers.

“The President will not interfere. He said the process must be allowed to continue, and that due process must be respected. That is now in the hands of the prosecutors, in the hands of the Senate,” she added.

in the central office of the DSWD. In Batanes, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) advised residents to secure their roofs and install window shutters as Typhoon Julian is expected to make landfall

She called on the public to allow the legal process to unfold and to judge the actions of officials involved in the proceedings.

"The people will be the ones to watch and judge. The prosecutors must do their job, and the senators must perform their duties as senatorjudges,” Castro said.

“We really don't have that [death penalty], we don’t do that, it’s not state policy,” Remulla said in a mixture of Filipino and English.

Barayuga was a retired police general and lawyer who supposedly threatened to expose corruption within the PCSO shortly before he was shot dead in Mandaluyong City.

Garma, herself an ex-police Lt. Colonel, allegedly gained the top spot at the PCSO because of her in-

By Rex Espiritu and Othel V. Campos

THE Tacloban City Council declared a state of emergency due to restrict-

Yang's lawyer mocks probers amid heated inquiry

THE legal counsel of Chinese businessman Tony Yang sought to disparage lawmakers’ conclusions about his client’s supposedly sketchy past and his alleged ties with Philippine Overseas Gaming Operators (POGOs) and even organized crime.

ed access to the San Juanico Bridge, which connects the islands of Samar and Leyte in Eastern Visayas, as the structure awaits scheduled repairs. In a statement from the city’s information office, the declaration aims

Lawyer Raymond Fortun questioned the House Quad Committee’s impartiality and its ability to pin Chinese national Yang down for ay wrongdoing in a real

adviser of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

Fortun, a lawyer who often finds himself at the center high-profile cases, apparently sought to mock congressmen, calling their probe “unacceptable.”

to expedite the mobilization of necessary resources and safeguard public safety.

of illegal drugs and illegal activities associated with POGOs,” Suarez said in a mixture of Filipino and English.

By Darwin Amojelar

TRANSPORTATION Secretary

without the approval of the

members. cious and unfounded,” Bautista said in a Viber message, referring to the website that published the said story.

“Bilyonaryo is inconsistent,” he added.

“Bautista and his long-time protege in Philippine Airlines, Undersecretary for Aviation and Airports Bobby Lim, are at the center of the storm after it was

As this developed, House Deputy Majority Leader Paolo Ortega V of La Union on Friday said the latest THE Philippine government on Sunday publicly called for the United Nations (UN) to give it a seat on the UN Security Council, highlighting the country’s strong record and dedication to upholding the rule of law.

However, House members argued they did not come by their suspicions about Yang recklessly.

The solons explained how the matrix details Yang’s connections to other individuals involved in illicit activities, including the operations of illegal POGOs.

"With restricted access to San Juanico, the main gateway in and

On Friday, Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr. of Pampanga and Deputy Speaker David Suarez of Quezon presented a matrix showing Yang’s first appearance and his subsequent activities at the Quad

“We saw a pattern, and we tracked it to the top of these corporations... we stripped it of its layers , to get to the top and through it all, we have discovered and identified at least two main actors or players in the issue

Navy spokes debunks China claim of military exercises in Scarborough shoal

By Charles Dantes

Among the companies implicated are Brickhartz Technology Inc. and Xionwei Technology Co. Ltd., which are being linked to alleged kidnapping.

METRO Manila commuters will soon be able to ride trains without the hassle of long ticket lines or reloading stored-value cards, according to the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

The two firms supposedly have connections with the Baofu Compound in Bamban, Tarlac, which, in turn, can be directly traced to disgraced ex-mayor Alice Guo.

During Friday’s Quad hearing, lawmakers cited Tony Yang in contempt for “lying” to about businesses and business partners.

The DOTr announced Friday that debit cards, credit cards, and mobile wallets like GCash and PayMaya will be accepted for fare payments on the LRT and MRT railways. The initiative follows President Marcos Jr.’s directive to modernize

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo in a speech delivered at the UN General Assembly in New York said the Philippines continues to emphasize the “importance of upholding the rule of law and the integrity of the multilateral system in the face of today’s global challenges.”

public transportation and streamline commuter convenience by introducing globally competitive, tech-driven solutions.

Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said the new cashless turnstiles will begin operating in July, forming part of a broader initiative to create an “open-loop” automatic fare collection (AFC) system.

Quoted by reports, Manalo also said: “The Philippines has consistently pursued peace, the sovereign equality of states, the rights and dignity of all persons.”

He added that the country is also recognized as the “first Asian Re-

"I know even credit cards are accepted now. You can just tap your phone. You no longer need to buy a Beep card," Dizon said in a press briefing at Malacañang.

cent Trinidad told reporters that Manila troops did not monitor any such activity, adding that Beijing’s statement was meant only for its internal audience.

By Joel E. Zurbano

on Sunday the recent announcement by China that it conducted military exercises off Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Scarborough Shoal, in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). China reportedly made the announcement coinciding with the fourth Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity between the Philippines, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and the United States within Manila’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the regional waters over the weekend. Philippine Navy Spokesperson for WPS Rear Admiral Roy Vin -

“Our troops did not observe any exercise, we have to understand that sometimes, China is doing this for their internal

was not threatening, just normal,” accord -

PAGASA

A WEB OF CRIME? House leaders Aurelio Gonzales and David Suarez presented this matrix during the last QUAD Comm hearing which shows the operations of a criminal syndicate allegedly led by fugitive Michael Yang, then economic adviser of former President Rodrigo Duterte, that controlled the illegal activities of the POGOs and was involved in the drug trade and extrajudicial killings.

MUG SHOT. Detained

Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon

Private hospitals to hike rates

PATIENTS of some private hospitals may encounter sudden increases in their hospital bill as hospitalization rates are expected to go up from five to 15 percent.

Dr. Jose Rene De Grano, president of the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines (PHAPi), said the inevitable price hikes are an offshoot of inflation that impacts on medical supplies, equipment and medicine.

Teves’...

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The Timor-Leste government also asked the Philippine government to observe due process throughout the criminal proceedings.

For its part, Malacañang assured that due process was fully observed in Teves’ transfer from Timor-Leste to Philippine authorities, culminating in his turnover to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) early Friday morning.

Presidential Communications Office Assistant Secretary Erel Cabatbat, who was part of the Philippine team that facilitated Teves' extradition, said that all legal requirements were followed during the process.

"Authorities informed Mr. Teves of his rights and the outstanding arrest warrants issued by Philippine courts," Cabatbat said.

"We respect the opinions of others, including those of Mr. Teves’ son, Axl. But this is simply the enforcement of our laws," he added.

Cabatbat emphasized that the arrest warrants originated from Philippine courts and must be carried out per judicial procedures.

Meanwhile, NBI Director Jaime Santiago said the turnover of Teves is a result of good relations between President Ferdinand Marcos and TimorLeste President José Ramos-Horta.

"They finally decided to turn over to us the person of Congressman Teves because they believe that [he] has been staying in their country... undocumented. They also considered the cases filed against him," he told reporters.

Santiago also stressed that the Philippine government fully adhered to the conditions provided in the Certificate of Handover.

Aside from agreeing to no death penalty and no irreducible life imprisonment, other key guarantees in the certificate include no coerced evidence, absolute prohibition from inhuman treatment, fair and public trial, and non-political prosecution, among others.

On Friday afternoon, Teves was transferred to the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City under the custody of the NBI.

He was accompanied by his mother and his legal counsel, Ferdinand Topacio.

Santiago explained that the bureau no longer has a detention facility within its premises since transferring from its office in Manila to Pasay.

"Building 14 is distinct and separate from BuCor [Bureau of Corrections] where convicted individuals are imprisoned... It is the detention facility of the NBI under our control," he said. Meanwhile, Teves expressed confidence in the NBI, noting he feels 'safer' under its watch.

"I would like to thank Director [Santiago] and all the staff of the NBI because they have treated me well since I was arrested until now," he said.

The former lawmaker also underscored that he is ready to face the multiple murder charges that was filed against him as well as the family of slain Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo.

Tacloban...

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out of Tacloban, the city is facing serious concerns related to economic flow, emergency response, and supply chain delays," the Thursday statement read. It added, "This declaration allows the local government to act faster, allocate emergency funds, and coordinate with national agencies for support."

San Juanico Bridge, a key transport route for goods, medical supplies, and essential travel, has faced restricted access in recent days, sparking concerns over possible economic disruptions and delays in emergency response. Meanwhile, the National Disas-

He said there are 1,200 private hospitals in the country, about 50 percent of which members of PHAPi.

“The bigger hospitals who are giving out bigger services may probably have increased even to more than 20

percent,” he said.

These facilities are generally classified as Level Two and Three categories. Both types of hospitals have sophisticated diagnostic equipment and specialized facilities like intensive care units.

What makes the Level Three hospitals different are their residency training programs.

De Grano gave assurance however, that the increase in hospitalization rates

will remain competitive and that patients should expect hospitals services to be commensurate with hiked charges.

The price adjustment, according to him, was necessary to ensure continued services and to help ensure that hospital employees are adequately paid enough to cope with inflation.

On the other hand, government hospitals have not implemented rate adjustments.

Stalled...

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reschedule next week? It's like that, isn't it? You're ready, you're dressed, and then it turns out your date is cancelled. It feels that way," Ortega said Friday.

The Senate’s decision to move the reading to the last day of session was received only recently, Ortega added, which raised concerns about time constraints and potential scheduling conflicts during sine die adjournment of the 19th Congress.

“Yes, it was received yesterday. But I said maybe there might not be enough time left? I said it's a leadership call. But the important thing is that the Articles of Impeachment have been read and received by the Senate, that's their call,” he added.

“My only worry is the time element. I guess the representative from the House, I said you should go

Executive...

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Social Weather Stations survey reflected a strong public demand for the Vice President to stop politicking, face the impeachment charges, and cooperate with the government for the good of the country.

“The message of the survey is clear: Face the case, stop politicking, and work together for the good of the country. That's what the people expect from a Vice President,” he said.

The SWS survey showed 88 percent of Filipinos believe Duterte

ter Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that approximately P7 billion is required for the repair and rehabilitation of the San Juanico Bridge due to concerns about its structural integrity.

"The estimated cost of repair and rehabilitation by the DPWH amounts to P7 billion, and any delay in fund release would further escalate the crisis," the NDRRMC said in a resolution dated May 25.

It estimates that restrictions on the San Juanico Bridge could lead to monthly economic losses of up to P600 million, as the bridge accommodates approximately 14,000 vehicles daily.

"The abrupt imposition of restrictions has stranded more than 200 vehicles and

there in the morning, maybe around lunchtime. That's the only conflict, of course sine die, so there is also closing in Congress,” Ortega

Asked about the implications of the delay on the impeachment proceedings, Ortega said the Senate had already provided an explanation, and the House would take it at face value.

On whether the Senate’s explanation of prioritizing pending bills was acceptable, Ortega said they had no choice but to accept the reasoning, while emphasizing that all pending measures in Congress are important.

I don't want to overthink. It seems like they have an explanation in the letter as to why they moved, so we'll take it at face value,” he concluded.

Meanwhile, Malacañang yesterday assured that both chambers of Congress have committed to passing priority legislation that was identified by President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., following discussions during the latest Legis -

should face the impeachment charges and clear her name, while 74 percent of the respondents said the Vice President should work with the government rather than fight it.

“If VP Sara is really innocent, why is she afraid to face the allegations?” Ortega said.

Two members of the Makabayan bloc at the House said the pursuit of accountability, particularly in the impeachment of Duterte, must not be reduced to a mere popularity contest.

"The overwhelming 88 percent of Filipinos who believe that the Vice President must address the impeach-

is projected to result in monthly economic losses ranging from P300 million and P600 million," the NDRRMC said.

As this developed, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) has raised concern over the temporary closure of the San Juanico Bridge, warning of its immediate impact on commerce, mobility, and the economy of Eastern Visayas. According to PCCI president Enunina Mangio, the closure has already caused severe logistical delays, higher transport costs, disrupted worker commutes, and reduced sales for small businesses.

Some firms reported losses of up to 30 percent in just the first week, she said.

While supporting the government’s plan to rehabilitate the bridge, the PCCI

“Private hospitals do not get subsidy from government. We rely on income from the services which we offer our patients,” he added.

The increased rates will mostly be felt by patients needing confinement, especially those who require laboratory tests and other similar services.

'Whatever they do, they will also have a subsidy from the government. With or without patients, they will always have a budget allotted for them," De Grano said.

‘Habagat’ is here, rainy season seen in two weeks

THE Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) yesterday announced the beginning of the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) in the country.

"Recent weather analysis over the past several days has shown the persistence of low-level southwesterly winds over the western section of Luzon and the Frontal System over Extreme Northern Luzon," PAGASA reported.

"With the weakening of the Easterlies, these developments indicate the beginning of the Southwest Monsoon... one of the precursors of the onset of the rainy season," it added.

The agency said occasional to frequent rains and thunderstorms are expected, particularly over the western sections of the country, as the Southwest Monsoon becomes more dominant.

"This may lead to the possible onset of the rainy season within the next two weeks. Periods of monsoon breaks may also occur," PAGASA said.

The state weather bureau said it will continue to monitor the situation, advising the public and all concerned agencies to take precautionary measures against the adverse impacts of the Southwest Monsoon, such as floods and rain-induced landslides. Rio Araja

lative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) meeting.

In a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said four priority bills were highlighted during the meeting: the National Government Rightsizing Program, amendments to the Right-of-Way Act, amendments to the Cooperative Code, and the proposed National Disease Prevention and Management Authority.

"The House and Senate gave their commitment to push these measures forward," she said.

The Palace spokesperson noted that the National Government Rightsizing Program, which aims to streamline government operations by eliminating redundant or overlapping functions, has already passed the House of Representatives and is now pending in the Senate.

"If passed into law, it will enhance public service delivery by reallocating resources to agencies that need more support," Castro pointed out.

ment charges against her is a clear indication that the Filipino people demand accountability and transparency from their leaders," House Deputy Minority Leader France Castro of ACT Teachers party-list said.

"This is not about political popularity; this is about ensuring that public officials are held accountable for the misuse of public funds,” she added. The impeachment complaint, endorsed by 215 members of the House in February, accuses Duterte of culpable violation of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust, graft and corruption, and other high crimes.

is urging immediate measures to ease the economic impact.

These include activating or repairing the Tacloban–Catbalogan and Tacloban–Calbayog RORO ramps, subsidizing barge charters, temporarily waiving port fees for essential shipments, and launching a digital barge booking system to reduce delays.

The chamber also called for the appointment of a San Juanico rehabilitation czar to coordinate efforts, regular updates on repair timelines, and safeguards against fare hikes.

Moreover, the business group is floating the idea of possible tax relief for affected small businesses and suggesting a phased reopening for light vehicles and deliveries.

Ruffy...

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However, the Sandiganbayan found Biazon and his co-accused not guilty of malversation.

Prior to the May 30 decision, the same court cleared Biazon of a direct bribery charge in a decision released in February 2023.

His camp has since said they will appeal the ruling.

"Public service should not be derailed by noise or distraction... My commitment to Muntinlupeños stands firm—a city led with compassion, guided by vision, and focused on real solutions," Biazon said.

His legal team likewise said the verdict does not impact his current position as mayor.

"This is not the end—it’s the beginning of a renewed push for deeper, more inclusive public service," a senior official from Biazon's camp said.

LRT,...

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"We asked why this wasn’t implemented sooner—turns out, it could have been," he added.

The current Beep card system, while contactless, requires separate reloading and has limited interoperability with financial platforms. The new system, inspired by international transit standards, will allow users to tap any supported card or mobile device directly at turnstiles.

President Marcos has repeatedly emphasized the need for government projects to be completed on time and within budget, noting that delays in essential services affect the daily lives of Filipinos.

In line with the president’s order, the DOTr is working with train operators and financial service providers to ensure a smooth rollout. Pilot testing and commuter awareness campaigns will precede the July launch.

"This is the kind of innovation that Filipinos deserve," Dizon said.

"Modern facilities, just like those seen in other countries, should be accessible here at home," he added. The shift to cashless, card-based, and digital wallet payments is expected to speed up boarding, reduce crowding at ticket booths, and expand financial inclusion through seamless integration with a variety of platforms.

ELEVATE AIDA. Aboitiz Foundation President Ginggay Hontiveros Malvar (2nd from right) and Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity Carlito Galvez Jr. (2nd from left) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for

implementation

Elevate AIDA in seven regions nationwide, including BARMM. With them is (at left) Connected Women co-founder Ruth Yu-Owen and Peace Sustainability Cluster Executive Director Susana Guadalupe Marcaida .

NEWS IN BRIEF

Congressman-elect Lagdameo takes oath

CONGRESSMAN -elect Jose Manuel Floirendo Lagdameo has taken his oath as representative of Second District of Davao Del Norte.

Lagdameo, a brother of businessman and Special Assistant to the President Antonio Manuel Lagdameo and grandson of banana magnate Don Antonio Floirendo, won a seat in the next Congress for the second legislative district of Davao del Norte, consisting of the towns of Panabo, Carmen and Dujali. He replaces Rep. Allan Dujali. Lagdameo said great things will happen if there is cooperation between him and the people of his district.

Cagayan movement wins big in elections

TUGUEGARAO City—The One Cagayan movement by governorelect Edgar Aglipay and running mate Manuel Mamba has achieved a major milestone with the victory of its endorsed mayoralty candidates across the province.

The movement, which aims to promote unity and collaborative leadership, saw a significant number of its bets winning in various towns, including Mayor Maila Tin-Que of this city, William Mamba of Tuao. and Miguel Decena Jr. of Enrile.

Other successful mayoralty candidates were Judith Trinidad of Iguig, Yvonne Florida of Allacapan, Oliver Pascual of Lal-lo, Robert Ogalino of Ballesteros, Rambo De Gracia of Santa Teresita, Nelson Robinion of Sta. Ana, and Leonel Guzman of Piat. Jessica M. Bacud

Five bets first to file SOCEs with Comelec

FIVE national candidates in the May 12 midterm elections have filed their Statements of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCEs).

Data provided before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) yesterday showed losing candidate Vic Rodriguez, the first executive secretary of the Marcos administration, was the first to submit his SOCE on May 23.

Party-list groups Abono, Abante Pangasinan-Ilokano, 1-Pacman, and Partido Demokratiko Sosyalista ng Pilipinas followed suit.

All candidates, political parties and party-list groups are required to file their SOCEs 30 days from the date of elections or until June 11.

The Comelec – Political Finance and Affairs Department said SOCE filed beyond the deadline will not be accepted.

DTI: School supplies keep old rates

By Othel V. Campos

ONLY 17 out of 195 school supply items or about nine percent have seen price increases this year, according to the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) newly released price matrix called “Gabay sa Pamimili ng School Supplies.”

The annual price guide, published through the DTI’s Fair Trade Group (FTG), offers updated retail prices across 12 product categories to help Filipino families shop smarter as they prepare for the opening of 2025 school year. Out of the 195 stock-keeping units (SKUs) listed, only eight SKUs posted

minimal price adjustments of three to 10 percent, or about a P1 to P5 hike for three notebook variants, two pencil packs, two crayon sets, and one ruler. Meanwhile, 29 SKUs saw price rollbacks, with reductions of between P1 and P10 for four notebook SKUs, 24 pad paper SKUs; and 1 pencil SKU.

Trade Secretary Cristina Roque em-

phasized the agency’s commitment to affordability under the Bagong Pilipinas campaign.

“The DTI is committed to ensuring that Filipino families have access to reasonably priced school supplies. We know how challenging it can be for parents to prepare their children for school, so this Price Guide is our way of easing that burden, making sure students can return to the classroom equipped, confident, and ready to learn without putting too much strain on the family budget,” Roque said. Aside from price cuts, more than half of the items, or 101 SKUs, maintained their 2024 rates, including all listed ballpens, erasers, and sharpeners.

Marbil broaches change of police retirement age from 56 to 60

By Vince Lopez

OUTGOING Philippine National Police

(PNP) chief Gen. Rommel Francisco

Marbil on Friday broached the idea of changing the retirement age for police officers from 56 to 60.

Section 39 of Republic Act 6975, or the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Act, mandates

that police officers serving under the Interior Department must retire upon reaching the age of 56. "The retirement age, I hope it reaches the age of 60. We'll go for 60. That's what we want because it's more expensive to go to school now," Marbil told reporters in Camp Crame. "We prefer more specialized,

longer commanders on the ground, not changeable," he added.

Marbil, whose term of office as PNP chief was extended for four months by President Marcos last Feb. 7, is set to officially retire on June 7. Then PNP officer-in-charge Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa previously raised the idea back in 2019, citing the two years added to the basic education curriculum in the K-12 program.

Interior Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla likewise suggested raising the retirement age of police officials to 60. "All their expertise, all their contacts, all procedures, the institutional memory is missing... So, it is better, I think, that we make them stay a little longer so that there is more stability within the PNP," Remulla said.

The 2025 guide also introduces 48 new SKUs, offering a wider range of choices for consumers, including new brands and variants.

Symbols in the guide can help parents easily spot deals; a pen icon denotes no price change, while scissors signal reduced prices.

Roque urged consumers to examine product labels carefully and avoid untagged goods, particularly those lacking information on the manufacturer or importer.

“Every peso counts for Filipino families, especially during back-to-school season. This price guide is a promise that under this administration, no learner is left behind,” she said.

By Alena Mae S. Flores

CONSUMERSs can expect another mixed oil price movement next week on continued volatility in the world oil market.

Department of Energy Oil Industry Management Bureau (OIMB) director Rodela Romero said the four-day trading in the Mean on Platts Singapore (MOPS), the trading benchmark of oil importers, showed a possible mixed movement in the prices of petroleum products.

Romero said gasoline is expected to increase by up to P0.40 per liter, diesel may have a rollback of P0.20 per liter or increase of P0.30 per liter while kerosene may not increase or will have a price cut of up to P0.10 per liter.

Romero attributed the mixed movement to several factors, with the potential new United States sanctions on Russia overshadowing the anticipated OPEC+ production hike as reason for the oil price increase.

The easing US-EU (European Union) tariff concerns and rising geopolitical tensions in oil producing countries also pushed up prices.

‘Atin Ito’ volunteers back in Manila

By Rex Espiritu

A VESSEL carrying a group of patriots accompanied by some foreigners arrived back in Manila Friday afternoon after completing their third mission of peace dubbed “Atin Ito” to the disputed West Philippine Sea.

The training ship (T/S) Felix Oca dropped anchor at the Manila port at approximately 5:20 p.m.

Aboard were members of the Atin Ito coalition, including the ship’s crew, cadets, journalists, and local and international music artists from Korea, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

The group announced that a China Coast Guard (CCG) ship, which had been trailing a Philippine vessel carrying Atin Ito volunteers,

ceased its pursuit early Friday morning. According to Capt. Jorge Dela Cruz, skipper of T/S Felix Oca, the CCG vessel disengaged at approximately 2 a.m., west of El Nido, Palawan. The group concluded its mission on Pag-asa Island, where they held a sea concert, as well as a pre-departure performance at El Nido, Palawan. They also distributed over 20 gallons of fuel to local fisherfolk on the island.

During the mission’s second day on May 27, Dela Cruz, reported sighting two more Chinese CCG vessels shadowing the Atin Ito convoy, which was being escorted by two Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ships. One of the CCG vessels reportedly issued a radio challenge directed at the civilian ship and the PCG escorts.

GOV’T AID AT LAST. Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian meets with Rose, the woman who went viral after a video caught her crawling out of a Makati sewer. She said she went into the drainage pipe to retrieve a tool she uses to collect recyclable trash.

A GATHERING OF REALTORS. Officers and members of the Chamber of Real Estate and Builders' Associations, Inc. hold their fourth general meeting at Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati City. Manny Palmero

PUSH BACK. Small-scale fishermen march to Mendiola on Friday to mark National Fishermen’s Day. The militant fishermen’s group Pamalakaya, together with other fishermen’s organizations and non-government organizations, is asking the Marcos administration to reject the Supreme Court decision allowing commercial fishing vessels to operate within municipal waters. Norman Cruz

Palace rebukes Rody’s lawyer

By Charles Dantes

MALACAÑANG on Friday rebuked claims made by former President Rodrigo Duterte’s chief legal counsel, Nicholas Kaufman, that the “real prosecutor” behind the crimes against humanity case is in Manila.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro refuted the accusation as baseless and misinformed, and told Kaufman he is being “surrounded by fake news peddlers.”

“Is that you, Atty. Harry Roque, talking? You thought it was Atty. Harry Roque making such a comment,” Castro said.

IN BRIEF

Resolve homebuyers’ complaints—Aliling

NEWLY appointed Housing czar Jose Ramon Aliling has issued a circular calling for the expeditious handling and disposition of homebuyers’ complaints against developers.

“Homebuyers and other real estate clients encountering problems deserve better from the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD),” Aliling said in a news release on Friday.

“We must exhaust all possible means within our authority to address these concerns fairly, transparently, expeditiously, and, as much as possible, without added stress and cost to homebuyers.”

The circular on “Providing for the Expeditious Handling and Disposition of Buyers’ Complaints against Developers of Subdivision and Condominium Projects” directed DHSUD regional offices to submit a bi-weekly complaints status report to the Central Office. Rio Araja

Aklan on high alert against Mpox entry

KALIBO—The Provincial Health Office has officially placed Aklan under a heightened alert category amid cases of Mpox recorded in the country.

Dr. Leslie Ann Sedillo, Provincial Health Officer II, said in a press conference Thursday afternoon the alert signal was raised in coordination with Aklan Governor Jose Enrique Miraflores.

Sedillo said Aklan province is being vigilant, especially as it hosts Boracay Island, a famous tourism destination.

“Currently, we see no need to mandate our tourists bound to Boracay to sign any health declaration cards, although these are already being practiced by several international airlines. What we are activating is that we will be asking hotels in Boracay to again come up with their respective isolation facilities in case somebody shows up having signs of Mpox,” she said.

The PHO is duplicating its best practices against COVID-19 to combat the possible entry of Mpox. Jun N. Aguirre

Sokor fugitive nabbed by BI agents in Pasay

IMMIGRATION operatives arrested a South Korean fugitive wanted by authorities in Seoul for kidnapping and beating a compatriot five years ago.

The fugitive, identified as Jang Seongwoong, was arrested on May 22 in Pasay City by members of the BI’s fugitive search unit (FSU).

The Korean fugitive has been on the BI’s wanted list since 2021 when he was ordered deported by the bureau’s board of commissioners for being an undesirable alien.

“He was thus arrested on the strength of a deportation warrant which was issued pursuant to the said deportation order. He was included in our blacklist which perpetually bans him from re-entering the country,” Immigration Chief Joel Anthony Viado said.

A check of his travel record showed that the Korean had been hiding here since he last arrived as a tourist on May 1, 2017. Vito Barcelo

“It is very apparent and very obvious that Atty. Kaufman is being surrounded by fake news peddlers. He doesn’t know the timeline. He doesn’t know the facts of the case,” she added.

Castro said instead of engaging in “rumor mongering,” Kaufman should focus on his role as legal counsel.

Duterte, the first Asian head of state to face the International Criminal Court, stands accused of crimes against humanity for murder over his yearslong campaign against drug users and

dealers that rights groups said killed thousands.

The ICC said in its arrest warrant there were “reasonable grounds to believe” at least 19 people had been murdered in Davao City by members of the “Davao Death Squad” headed by Duterte. Additionally, based on the warrant, at least 24 people were killed by Philippines police in various locations.

His next court appearance is scheduled for September 23, 2025 for the confirmation of charges.

DSWD program helped reduce hunger—SWS

By Maricel V. Cruz

THE Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Walang Gutom Program (WGP) is on the right track with its goal of reducing hunger among program beneficiaries as indicated by the results of the nationwide impact evaluation study conducted by the Social Weather Stations (SWS).

“We are pleased to note this favorable result of the nationwide impact evaluation conducted by the SWS. This indicates that the impact of the WGP is indeed felt on the ground by no less than our beneficiaries. With this positive development, we will continue to develop ways to make the program more responsive to the needs of the beneficiaries,” DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said on Friday. Commissioned by Globe and the DSWD, the SWS field work was conducted on October 7 to 18, 2024 and on December 1 to 10, 2024. It covered a total of 3,991 respondents from 33 provinces across the country. The findings revealed that at the start of the program, nearly half of the enrolled households reported experiencing hunger. As food aid interventions were implemented, hunger levels among beneficiaries showed a notable decline, particularly in the provinces of Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, Cotabato City, Zamboanga del Norte, and Surigao del Norte.

Among program beneficiaries, the share of households experiencing hunger dropped by 4.1 percentage points—from 48.7 percent in October 2024 to 44.6 percent in December.

No honoraria for teachers in Dec.

By Vito Barcelo

THE Commission on Elections said that over 150,000 public school teachers who are set to serve in the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) on December 1 will not be receiving the P2,000 honoraria as a result of the reduction of the proposed budget from P14 billion to P11 billion.

“We will again bring this up to our President

that hopefully the P2,000 [honorarium] that was removed from our teachers can be restored here for the BSKE, because the work is almost the same,” Comelec chairperson George Garcia said. He said teachers will also have to report as early as 4 a.m. to polling precincts on election day to accommodate senior citizens and persons with disabilities for early voting.

“Because we will still hold early voting, even if the Early Voting Law is not yet in place. Some 4.3 million of our fellow citizens benefited from those two hours of voting for the elderly and persons with disabilities,” Garcia said. Teachers who served as poll workers in the May 12 midterm polls received an additional P2,000 honoraria.

Meanwhile, Garcia said Comelec has started the destruction of some 6.7 million ballots that were not used in the midterm elections.

Villanueva: Implement WFH amid EDSA rebuild

SENATOR Joel Villanueva on Friday underscored the need for the implementation of the work-from-home (WFH) law to cushion the impact of the EDSA rehabilitation on workers.

Villanueva, principal author of Republic Act No. 11165 or the WFH law, cited the need to fully enforce the law to protect employees from the daily strain of severe traffic congestion once the rehabilitation project begins July 13, eyed to finish by 2027.

“We have been pushing for the adoption of alternative work setups since January to help our labor force prepare for this long-term rehabilitation effort,” the chair of the Senate Committee on Labor, Employment and Human Resource Development said.

Villanueva emphasized that countless employees lose hours each day in traffic just to report to offices, doing work that could otherwise be accomplished from home with the proper tools and technology.

OPINION

Komedia, a popular theater in northern PH, has faded out

KOMEDIA, for scores the highlight of many town fiestas in Northern Philippines, has faded out with the last sound of the wind instruments accompanying the battle between the brightly robed stage performers.

Komedia had been undoubtedly the greatest and most popular theater during the last 100 years – 1798-1898 – of the Spanish rule, which began in 1521. That was the year Portuguese navigator Fernando Magallanes discovered the islands – later to be called Las Islas Filipinas in honor of King Philip II – for Europe, 141 years after an Arab sheikh established the first Muslim mosque in the country’s far southern island of Simunul in the province of Tawi Tawi.

Also known among Ilocanos as the Moro-moro, a common Spanish identification for Muslim, the stage drama had reference to Moors who once invaded Spain.

Abruptly interrupted during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines in the 1940s. komedia resurfaced in the 1950s and used to be staged at the center of each largely agricultural town of the Ilocos, split on Feb 2, 1919 into Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur by the promulgation of a royal decree due to rapid population growth.

Hundreds, even thousands, trooped to the improvised theater soon before sundown so they would not miss a line from the performers from the time the curtains were raised.

There they waited for the stage prompter and his performing artists, all garbed in colorful costumes.

Near the performance site, the well heeled and better dressed members of the town’s social class, many returning students from the metropolis, attend formal programs at the amphitheater or open air auditorium.

For three or four nights in those bubble gum years, young Ilokanos -- and surprisingly even adults and those in their senior years -- enjoyed listening to the stories that usually revolved around tales of love and conquest between Christians and Muslims during the medieval period in Europe.

The ear of listeners in those years could compete with the tympanic membrane of today’s patrons of telenovelas, mostly imported from overseas.

For nights on end during the town fiesta, the “Muslims” at the performance site were always beaten and ended up embracing the Christian faith.

Unlike in better off towns of the archipelago, the duels between the two sides were not choreographed.

But the lighting – from a 350 candle power Coleman or Petromax gas lamps

at the time – was sufficient to sustain the enthusiasm and energy of the crowd who preferred the theater to the plaza or the ferris wheels nearby.

The dialogues – thanks to the indefatigable prompter who hid very discreetly behind the plywood wall near the hat wearing-musicians -- were delivered in rhyming verses.

That, while the participants leisurely strutted across the elevated stage as though digging their brains for an appro-

It is not clear when the first komedia was staged in the different towns of northern Philippines

priate line of response.

It is not clear when the first komedia was staged in the different towns of northern Philippines. Debate has been going on as regards the first such performance in the country.

But many historians agreed that the first komedia script was written by Jesuit Geronimo Perez which was staged in Manila on July 15, 1637.

It was obviously ushered in to mark the triumphant campaigns of Sebastian Hurtado de Corcuera against Muhammad Dipatuan Kudarat, better known as Sultan Kudarat, who ruled the sultanate of Maguindanao from 1619 to 1671.

At the time of his death in 1671, he was, by historical accounts, probably between 80 and 90 years old.

Earlier in 1598, or 77 years after the arrival of Magellan and his fleet, Jesuit students performed komedia in Cebu, now described in picture cards as the queen City of the South.

While the debate breathes every now and then on the exact place where the komedia was first staged, which is beyond the ear-split range of the Ilokanos of the country’s far north, what is clear is that the komedia was for decades a favorite show among different generations.

It used to mark religious festivals or cap an agro-industrial fair and town fiesta. Ilokanos celebrated their fiesta in April or May in honor of their patron saint San Isidro Labrador.

It is enough to soften the impact of the season’s scorching humidity in any northern town, caressed by the warm sun of northern Philippines during summer.

As Russia intensifies attacks, Ukraine air defenses under strain

KYIV

– A wave of massive Russian aerial attacks has stretched Ukraine’s air defences, raising fears about Kyiv’s reliance on Western systems to protect its skies in the fourth year of Russia’s invasion.

As the two sides open peace talks and Kyiv pushes for an immediate ceasefire, Moscow has launched its heaviest air assaults of the war, pummeling Ukraine with more than 900 drones and 90 missiles in a three-day barrage last weekend.

Ukraine downed over 80 percent of the incoming projectiles, but more than a dozen people were killed.

Experts worry how long the country can fend off the nightly attacks if Russia maintains — or escalates — its strikes.

“Ukraine’s air defenses are stretched thin and cannot guarantee protection for all cities against persistent and sophisticated Russian attacks,” military analyst Franz-Stefan Gady told AFP.

Russia’s drone and missile attacks have become more complex -- and harder to thwart — throughout the war.

Kyiv’s air force says around 40 percent of drones launched recently are decoys — cheaper dummy craft that mimic attack drones and are designed to exhaust and confuse air defences.

Russia increasingly sets drones to fly at a higher altitude — above 2,000 metres (6,500 feet) — and then dive down onto targets.

“At that altitude, they’re more visible to our radars but unreachable for small arms, heavy machine guns and mobile fire teams,” air force spokesman Yuriy Ignat told RBK Ukraine.

In addressing the threat, Ukraine is trying to strike a balance between pressing the West to deliver new systems and not wanting to concern a war-weary public at home.

“There’s no need to panic,” a Ukraine military source told AFP.

Experts worry how long the country can fend off the nightly attacks if Russia maintains — or escalates — its strikes

“We’re using all air defence systems that are available in Ukraine now, plus helicopters and aircraft. We are fighting somehow,” they said.

‘Scale up’

Moscow has the capacity to fire 300 to 500 drones a day, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said earlier this week.

“By scaling up the use of Shaheds, they are forcing us to resort to expensive options,” military analyst Sergiy Zgurets said, referring to the Iranian-designed drones that are packed with explosives to detonate as they crash into buildings.

“This is a war of attrition that must be based on economic grounds -- we must shoot down Shaheds with less sophisticated alternatives,” he said.

Confronting climate change

THIS week, during the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. flipped a commitment to push for evidence-based solutions in tackling the impacts of climate change.

The 69-year-old head of state, who painted a picture of climate change as the most defining and ripping challenge today, called on nine other ASEAN leaders to strengthen predictable, accessible and adequate finance to enable the soon-to-be 58-year-old regional group to achieve its ambitions and guard the future of its populations.

The President was error-free when he said nearly half the population of ASEAN – with over 672 million people as of 2024 – is confronted by significant climate-related dangers.

In July last year, the Philippines, an archipelagic nation of 117 million, was elected to host the Loss and Damage Board, which aims to provide financial assistance to vulnerable countries dealing with the devastating effects of climate change.

‘’As the host of the Board of the Fund for responding to Loss and Damage,

Ukraine uses several tools to protect its skies -- from advanced Western fighter jets and air defence batteries like the US-made Patriot anti-missile system, to small mobile air defence teams armed with guns.

New technology has also become vital, such as the electronic jamming of drones to make them drop from the sky.

Increasingly, interceptors are being deployed -- smaller, cheaper drones that take on enemy drones mid-air.

“We are already using them. The question now is when we will be able to scale up,” Zelensky said of the interceptors.

He too sees the issue as one of economics.

“The question is no longer about production capacity... It is a financial issue,” he told journalists.

‘Real protection’

Beyond drones, Russia is also deploy-

the Philippines will continue to advocate for scientific and evidence-based, investment-led, and transformative solutions to the climate crisis,’’ Mr. Marcos told colleagues during the two-day 46th ASEAN Summit which ended Tuesday.

The entire planet is facing a major crisis, therefore the global response should be prompt and influential

Ten years ago in Paris, world leaders from 197 countries pledged to put people first and reduce their countries’ greenhouse gas emissions, de-

ing super-fast ballistic missiles, which are much more difficult to intercept.

“The biggest vulnerability lies in defending against ballistic missiles,” said analyst Gady.

A midday strike last month on the northeastern city of Sumy killed at least 35 people, while a hit near a children’s playground in Zelenskyy’s home city of Kryvyi Rig left 19 dead, including nine children.

To fend off ballistic missile attacks, Ukraine relies on a small number of Patriot systems. They are concentrated around Kyiv, leaving other areas more exposed than the relatively better-protected capital.

Gady said the current supply of missiles for them is “sufficient” given the level of Russian strikes at the moment.

“But it is generally insufficient when compared to Russian ballistic missile

termined to limit global warming to well below 2ºC and ideally to 1.5°C.

World leaders and climate negotiators have since been meeting at annual COPs or Conference of the Parties –the countries that signed and are the decision-making body of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change or UNFCCC – where nations take stock of their ability to meet their commitments to reduce emissions.

Today, we see the entire planet facing a major crisis, therefore the global response should be prompt and influential.

Climatologists and other authorities are saying progress by world governments has been blisteringly slow and many commitments to reduce carbon emissions have been set, but few are binding and targets are often missed.

Recent talks have focused on climate finance – money to help poorer countries adapt to climate change and reduce emissions, with rich countries pledging $100 billion in annual funding to help developing countries reduce emissions and manage the impacts of climate change. But this thus far has not materialized and experts say much more money is needed.

production.”

Ukraine also faces potential shortages given delays in US output, according to Zgurets, creating “gaps” in Ukraine’s “fight against enemy hypersonic targets and ballistics”.

Deliveries of other key Western systems are expected over the next 18 months, but uncertainty is high given President Donald Trump’s criticism of aid for Ukraine.

US packages approved under predecessor Joe Biden are trickling in, but Trump has not announced any fresh support.

“Delivering air defense systems to us means real protection for people -- here and now,” Zelenskyy said in a recent call for Western backing.

On a visit to Berlin on Wednesday, he said: “Defending our cities requires constant support with air defense systems.” AFP

This is an AI generated cartoon with the prompt: Generate a political cartoon in horizontal format by a Filipino writer, blogger, or journalist. He is wearing a formal Filipino Barong Tagalog. The details of the embroidery on the chest are of a skull and bones. He is typing on his laptop. The words ‘gaslighting pinoys’ are jumping out of the monitor. He is sneering. The writer is an old man wearing glasses. The visors are white and have the Philippine peso sign. He has puffy cheeks and sagging jowls. He has a full head of hair but with grey streaks that spell out ‘traitor.’ On his back is a giant hand penetrating his back as if he were a sock pocket. The hand has cuffs with golden dollar signs. The sleeve is that of the Chinese flag.

Honor Blanco Cabie

‘Half the world faced an extra month of heat’

WASHINGTON, DC – Half the global population endured an additional month of extreme heat over the past year because of manmade climate change, a new study found Friday.

The findings underscore how the continued burning of fossil fuels is harming health and well-being on every continent, with the effects especially under-recognized in developing countries, the authors said.

“With every barrel of oil burned, every tonne of carbon dioxide released, and every fraction of a degree of warming, heat waves will affect more people,” said Friederike Otto, a climate scientist at Imperial College London and co-author of the report.

The analysis -- conducted by scientists at World Weather Attribution, Climate Central, and the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Center -- was released ahead of global Heat Action Day on June 2, which this year spotlights the dangers of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

To assess the influence of global warming, researchers analyzed the period from May 1, 2024 to May 1, 2025. AFP

Israel far-right minister: Time for full force

JERUSALEM – Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar

Canadian wildfire emergency spreads

IN BRIEF

Airline chiefs meet Sunday in India

NEW DELHI – Airline bosses meet from Sunday in New Delhi at their annual industry conference, battling to mitigate the impact of Donald Trump’s policies that have hit travel to the United States and potentially raised costs for aviation. Trump’s bid to impose tariffs on the United States’ trading partners have upended commercial flows, with legal challenges against his plan adding to uncertainties.

The tense atmosphere in the United States, from Trump’s plans to revoke foreign students’ visas to reports of travelers detained at US borders, has also put a dampener on tourism.

“The airline sector is always sensitive to the economic and political climate,” Paul Chiambaretto, professor of strategy and marketing at France’s Montpellier Business School, told AFP. AFP

Mother hospitalized 242 days into hunger strike

LONDON – The mother of EgyptianBritish activist Alaa Abdel Fattah has been hospitalized 242 days into a hunger strike protesting her son’s continued imprisonment in Egypt, her family said.

Laila Soueif, 69, has been on hunger strike since Sept. 29, 2024, the day her son was expected to be released after completing a five-year prison sentence.

She resumed a full hunger strike last week after two months of easing her protest to a partial hunger strike.

The academic and veteran activist was taken to a London hospital Monday with a “critically low” blood sugar level, her campaign group said in a brief statement.

It is her second hospitalization since February. Soueif’s son Abdel Fattah was arrested in Sept. 2019 and sentenced to five years for “spreading false news” after sharing a Facebook post about police brutality. AFP

Islamic State claims attack on Syria forces

BEIRUT – The Islamic State group has claimed its first attack on Syria’s new government forces since the fall of longtime Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, two war monitors said.

In a statement picked up by SITE Intelligence Group, IS said it had planted an “explosive device” on a Syrian forces’ vehicle in the southern province of Sweida.

SITE and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said it was the first ISclaimed attack on Syria’s new government. SOHR said that one person was killed and three members of the Syrian army’s 70th division were injured when a patrol was hit by a remote control landmine on Wednesday.

The man killed was accompanying the Syrian government forces in the desert area, according to SOHR. AFP

OTTAWA, Canada – The western Canadian province of Saskatchewan declared a wildfire emergency on Thursday, becoming the second to do so after neighboring Manitoba had ordered 17,000 people to quickly flee their homes in remote communities a day earlier.

“It’s a very serious situation that we’re faced with in Saskatchewan,” the province’s Premier Scott Moe told a news conference.

“We are putting in place every measure possible to prepare our communities,” he continued.

Around 4,000 residents were evacuated from the province earlier this week, and more evacuations appear possible with no rain in the weather forecast.

“Looking ahead, it doesn’t look good.

It looks like it is going to further deteriorate,” Moe added.

Manitoba declared a province-wide state of emergency late Wednesday and ordered the evacuations of several small towns and Indigenous communities as the province experienced its worst start to a wildfire season in years.

Many of the weary evacuees arrived in the provincial capital Winnipeg on Thursday after a long and harrowing nighttime drive on jammed roads.

In two remote northern Indigenous communities in Manitoba, “Air Force planes were deployed and...in the process of evacuating people,” Canada’s Emergency Management Minister Eleanor Olszewski said Thursday. At a city hockey arena set up as an emergency shelter, Matthew LaRosa, who fled the town of Flin Flon in northern Manitoba with his mother Lisa, told the Free Press it had simply been a “long day.”

“Yesterday, when we got the evac notice, it was, ‘Go to the house, grab everything, load the truck and get out of town,’” he told the daily.

Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham said in a news release, “We know many families are arriving with little more than the clothes on their backs.”

“As thousands flee dangerous wildfires, Winnipeg will do what we’ve always done in times of crisis: open our

FERDEN, Switzerland – Swiss authorities said Thursday that rock and ice piles from a collapsed glacier that destroyed a village were preventing emergency services from working, but that they were cautiously optimistic no more homes were at risk.

The Birch glacier in Switzerland’s southern Valais (Wallis) region collapsed on Wednesday, sending a mass of rock, ice and scree hurtling down the mountain slope and into the valley below. The barrage largely destroyed the most of Blatten, which had been home to 300 people and was evacuated last week due to the impending danger. One 64-year-old man, believed to have been in the danger zone at the time, remains missing. A police spokesman said the difficult conditions had forced the search

to be called off Thursday.

The unstable mountain face and thousands of tonnes of rocky debris also made it impossible for emergency workers to intervene to stabilise the zone and contain the risk of flooding in the valley below, officials told a news conference.

The huge pile of glacier debris, stretching some two kilometers, has blocked the river Lonza.

After initially warning of a potentially devastating flood from water trapped above the debris, authorities said expert analysis indicated the risk had eased.

“The information we’ve received from geologists and other specialists tends to indicate such an event is unlikely,” Valais security chief Stephane Ganzer told a news conference.

An artificial dam in the village of Ferden, just below, has been emptied and should be able to contain any downward rush of water if it happens, said Ganzer. AFP

doors and stand together,” he said.

“People are exhausted,” Luc Mullinder, head of the Manitoba branch of the Red Cross, told AFP.

“They’ve traveled a long way from home and folks don’t know if their home is going to be there when they get back or whether they can get back,” he said.

“So there’s a range of strong emotions.”

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew has said the province was experiencing its worst start to a wildfire season in years.

“This is the largest evacuation Manitoba will have seen in most people’s living memory,” he told a news conference late Wednesday.

The widespread nature of the fires was also cause for alarm, he warned.

“For the first time, it’s not a fire in one region, we have fires in every region. That is a sign of a changing climate that we are going to have to adapt to.” AFP

Ukraine renews demand to see peace terms

“Ukraine is ready to attend the next meeting, but we want to engage in a constructive discussion. This means it is important to receive Russia’s draft,” President Volodymyr Zelensky’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, said in a statement in response.

Meanwhile, Russia said it had evidence that Serbian defense companies were supplying Ukraine with ammunition, in a rare rebuke of a country Moscow considers an ally. The Balkan nation with close historical links to Russia has maintained an official policy of neutrality throughout Moscow’s three-year offensive on Ukraine and has denied arming either side. President Aleksandar Vucic said however that a joint working group had been started to look into the accusations. AFP

TENSE SITUATION. This May 27, 2025, aerial image courtesy of the Manitoba Government, shows wildfires burning in Sherridon, Manitoba, Canada. More than 17,000 people in the western Manitoba province were being evacuated as the region experienced its worst start to a wildfire season in years. Many of the weary evacuees arrived in the provincial capital Winnipeg on Thursday after a long and

nighttime drive on jammed roads. AFP

GRIEF IN WAR. Mourners gather next to the coffin of 26-year-old Ukrainian serviceman Yaroslav Shvets, an actor and sapper, who died as a result of wounds received at the front, during the funeral ceremony in Kyiv on Thursday, amid Russian invasion in Ukraine. On May 2, 2025, Yaroslav was seriously wounded at the front and later sent to Germany for treatment in a clinic, where he later died. AFP

PARIS—Carlos

SPORTS Champions Alcaraz, Swiatek seek last 16

Alcaraz bids to book his place in the French Open last 16 on Friday, with defending women’s champion Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka also in third-round action at Roland Garros.

Second seed Alcaraz eased through his opening two matches in Paris, despite dropping a set against Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan.

Next up is a third-round meeting in the night session with 69th-ranked Bosnian Damir Dzumhur, who has made the last 32 for the first time since 2018 but struggled with a knee injury during his win over Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.

Four-time Grand Slam champion Alcaraz is the title favourite at Roland Garros after securing the Monte Carlo Masters and Italian Open trophies in the build-up to the claycourt major.

He has reached the second week in 10 of his last 11 Slam appearances.

“If I lose the focus in Grand Slams, in matches (that are) the best-of-five, it’s much better to refocus your attention,” he said.

“You have more time, you have more sets just to be back if you lose your focus a bit.”

The 22-year-old Spaniard would secure a match against either American 13th seed Ben Shelton or Italian surprise package Matteo Gigante with a victory.

World number 167 Gigante, playing in the main draw of a major for the second time, downed former finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas in the second round.

Eighth seed Lorenzo Musetti arrived in Paris as one of the form players in the world after following a runner-up finish in Monte Carlo with semi-final runs in Madrid and Rome.

Swiatek ‘feeling good’

Four-time winner Swiatek has dispelled some of the doubts surrounding her form with two comprehensive wins and takes on unseeded Romanian Jaqueline Cristian on Court Suzanne Lenglen.

The Polish star brushed aside former US Open champion Emma Raducanu for the loss of just three games in round two, as she looks to reach

New WADA chief blasts ‘politicization’ of anti-doping

a first final since lifting the French Open trophy last year.

“I have been feeling good, and that’s it,” said Swiatek, hoping to become the first woman to win four successive Roland Garros titles since Suzanne Lenglen 102 years ago.

“We’ll see what’s going to happen in the future. But for sure these two matches were pretty solid, so I’m happy with the performance.”

Swiatek could set up a tie against either former Wimbledon winner Elena Rybakina or 2017 French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko.

World number one Sabalenka continues her tilt at a maiden Ro-

MONTREAL—Newly re-elected World Anti-Doping Agency president Witold Banka on Thursday pushed back against what he called the growing politicization of efforts to stem the use of performance-enhancing drugs in sports.

“The politicization of anti-doping is something which is very concerning,” he told a press conference in Montreal where the agency is based. “We see more and more attempts to politicize the anti-doping environment.”

“There is no place for politics or turf wars in the fight for clean sport,” he added.

Banka and vice president Yang Yang were re-elected on Thursday by WADA’s board for a third and final three-year term ending in 2028.

Following the vote, Banka at a press conference singled out for criticisms the USADA and its leader Travis Tygart, with whom relations have been strained over accusations WADA mishandled positive tests for a banned drug by 23 Chinese swimmers -- which WADA has rejected.

He said it continues to be “very difficult to work with Mr. Tygart,” who has accused WADA of a cover up.

“It’s hard to deal with someone who believes in conspiracy theories... (and) who believes that, you know, joking, that moon landings were fake,” he said.

Banka also renewed his condemnation of plans for the first edition of the Enhanced Games in Las Vegas, an Olympics-style event where athletes will be free to use performanceenhancing drugs such as steroids and human growth hormones, which are banned across international sport.

He urged US authorities to try to prevent the event from being staged in May 2026, with athletes participating in three sports -- athletics, swimming and weightlifting.

“It threatens to erode decades of progress in athlete protection, public health and the very ethos of sport,” said Banka, concerned it could lead athletes around the world to dabble in illicit substances with potentially deadly consequences. AFP

land Garros title against Serbian left-hander Olga Danilovic in the opening match on Court Philippe Chatrier.

The Belarusian has not played Danilovic since a win in Madrid Open qualifying seven years ago.

“She’s playing great tennis. So am I,” said Sabalenka. “It’s going to be a fight. I love challenges, and I’m excited to face her.”

Chinese eighth seed Zheng Qinwen plays Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko in an intriguing clash on Court Simonne Mathieu.

The Olympic champion is hoping to extend her eight-match winning

Sportradar’s

Defending women’s champion Iga Swiatek, shown here with her eyes on the ball, has dispelled some of the doubts surrounding her form with two comprehensive wins as she takes on unseeded Romanian Jaqueline Cristian on Court Suzanne Lenglen. Dennis Mallari

Gri in leads Memorial tournament with a 65

WASHINGTON—Ben Griffin, fresh from his triumph in Texas last week, fired a seven-under-par 65 to grab a two-shot lead after the first round of the Memorial Tournament at Dublin, Ohio on Thursday.

Griffin carried on his fine form from his second PGA Tour win of the season reaching the turn at five under.

He produced an eagle on the par-five seventh where he drove his approach shot 260 yards and left himself a 12foot putt which he calmly drained.

The 29-year-old ran into some trouble on the back nine where he made bogey on the par-five 11th and the par-three 12th, finding water on both those holes.

But he ended his round in superb style with three straight birdies which left him with a two-stroke advantage over fellow American Collin Morikawa.

“A couple of water balls. I really need to go to the range and work on my game to clean that stuff up. But, no... it was an incredible day,” said Griffin. “I was kind of building on what I kind of was doing last week, making a ton of birdies, staying aggressive. This is one of the toughest golf courses we play on tour and you’ve got to kind of be on your game to make birdies and give yourself a lot of looks. I felt like I kind of did that,” he said.

streak at Roland Garros after taking gold at the Paris Games last summer, but 18-year-old Mboko has already won five times on her run after coming through qualifying.

“I’m expecting a big fight. I’m going to bring out a big fight against her,” said Mboko. “I think it’s going to be a very hard battle for me.”

Fourth seed Jasmine Paolini, the 2024 losing finalist, continues her campaign against Ukraine’s Yuliia Starodubtseva, while Elina Svitolina targets a third straight last-16 appearance against American Bernarda Pera. AFP

His breakthrough win came last month at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, where he partnered with Andrew Novak to win the team event. It was just reward for the North Carolina native who after turning professional in 2018, stepped away from golf in 2021 to work as a mortgage loan officer due to financial pressures and burnout.

But his return to professional golf through Q-school and the secondary Korn Ferry Tour has now yielded success, with his two PGA Tour victories in 2025 and other top-10 finishes moving him to fifth in the FedEx Cup rankings. AFP

98,000 goal analysis reveals Europe’s most exciting league for the fans

SPORTRADAR analysed more than 98,000 goals scored in Europe’s Top 5 leagues over the last 20 years to determine which competition is the most exciting for the fans to watch – and it’s not the Premier League. Using the number of goals scored per game as a measure of excitement, Sportradar’s cutting edge technology processed data from more than 36,000 matches played in England, France, Germany, Italy and Spain between the 2005/06 and 2024/25 seasons. For more than 20 years, Sportradar has worked with the biggest names in world soccer, and more than 100 soccer organizations worldwide, including FIFA, UEFA, AFC and CONMEBOL, gaining access to unrivalled data and dis-

tributing the industry’s largest portfolio of soccer content.

While the English Premier League delivered the single highest-scoring season of the past 20 years with an average of 3.28 goals per game in 2023/24, Sportradar’s AI-driven analysis identified Germany’s Bundesliga as the competition that consistently delivers excitement for the fans.

This season Bundesliga fans have enjoyed an average of 3.14 goals per game, offering more excitement than Ligue 1 (2.96), the Premier League (2.93), La Liga (2.62) and Serie A (2.56).

More than 18,000 goals have been

scored in the Bundesliga since the start of the 2005/06 season, despite the 18-team league having played between 1,000 and 1,500 fewer matches than the other bigfive leagues of Europe in that time. As a result, fans of the German league have been entertained by an average of 2.96 goals per game over the period. That far exceeds the average number of goals per game in the Premier League (2.74), Serie A (2.68), La Liga (2.66) and Ligue 1 (2.53) for the same period. The extensive analysis of 20 football seasons or 100 individual campaigns raises questions about the quality of Europe’s top 5 football leagues including ‘which league is emerging as the most exciting?’ and in ‘which league fewer goals are being scored’.

ONE kickboxing world champ Buntan eyes 2-sport supremacy

BY capturing the ONE Women’s Strawweight Kickboxing World Championship, Filipina-American striking star Jackie Buntan can now say she’s already reached the pinnacle of her athletic career.

But she has no plans of stopping there as she has the next goal in her sights – the Muay Thai World Title.

“I’m guilty of dreaming and hoping for one thing, and then it comes to fruition, and then quickly

I’m like, ‘What’s next?’ I kind of felt that way after winning the kickboxing belt, but I had to take a step back and give myself the flowers and enjoy this time and all the work I put into it,” Buntan said.

“But I’m at that point now like, ‘What’s next and how can I top this and keep topping that?’ Right now, I think the Muay Thai title makes sense.”

Buntan actually had the chance to win the Muay Thai belt back in 2022 when she faced Smilla Sundell for the inaugural ONE Women’s Strawweight Muay Thai World Championship but ultimately fell to the prodigious Swiss fighter after five rounds.

And because of the talent in strawweight Muay Thai now, Buntan knows it makes sense for her to move between two disciplines.

“I feel like I probably have more options in Muay Thai. There weren’t any kickboxing fights happening in the strawweight division before me and Anissa, and that was straight for the belt,” Buntan said.

“Whereas in Muay Thai, I feel there’s a lot more women to pick from. It’s vacant, so I’d love to get that.” At the end of the day, whether it’s ruling over the strawweight kickboxing division, or getting another crown jewel by winning the Muay Thai belt, it’s all about chasing greatness for Buntan. And she’s going to pursue it for as long as she’s able to do so.

“It’s corny and cliche, but greatness is what inspires me. I think every athlete will probably tell you that or admit to that,” she said.

“When you do something for so long and you’re doing it at the highest level, you’re only doing it to achieve peak greatness, and that’s what I want.”

Jackie Buntan

SATURDAY, MAY 31, 2025

RIERA

RANDY

EDGARD

Agra climbs to no. 161 in world padel rankings

By Randy M. Caluag

PHILIPPINE Padel Association

team captain Atty. Jessica Agra

made a significant leap in the International Padel Federation (FIP) world rankings, climbing 12 spots to reach World No. 161 following her recent performance at the FIP Silver Reap Manila.

Agra, alongside her partner Dilara Torsell of Türkiye, advanced to the tournament’s quarterfinals held recently at the Manila Padel Club in BGC, Taguig. After receiving a bye in the opening round, the duo dominated Ainhoa Sanyin of Spain and Novela Putria of Indonesia with a commanding 6-0, 6-2 victory in the Round of 16.

However, the 7th-seeded pair of Agra and Torsell fell short against the tournament’s second seeds—

Ana Varo Ramos and Alba Perez Momha of Spain, ranked World No. 66 and 67, respectively. The Spanish duo prevailed with a 6-2, 6-1 win.

Agra’s recent rise in the rankings comes on the heels of another strong showing earlier this month at the FIP Bronze Damac Abu Dhabi in the UAE, where she also reached the quarterfinals.

Her breakthrough into the world’s top 200 was cemented in April during the FIP Bronze Reap tournament in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Then ranked No. 210, Agra advanced to the semifinals in the women’s doubles event with Belgian partner Babette De Decker. Their impressive run was halted by the eventual champions, Lisa Rachel Phillips and Abigail Tordoff of the United Kingdom, in a 2-6, 1-6 defeat.

Next on Agra’s competitive calendar are two FIP Bronze tournaments in Indonesia: one in Jakarta from June 6–8 and another in Bali from June 13–15.

Sia, Garra bag 7 golds each; NCR stuns Region 6 in relay

By Peter Atencio

LAOAG City—Olympian Elma Muros-Posadas’ protege Karl Tacoy anchored the National Capital Region to a Philippine junior recordsmashing performance in the secondary boys’ 4x400 meter, even as fellow Big City bets Titus Sia and Sophia Garra captured seven swimming golds each at the close of 2025 Palarong Pambansa here on Friday.

The 17-year-old Tacoy, an 11th grader of the Jose Rizal University, made heads turn when he outran last runner Kian Labar on the final turn, as they upset the Mico Villaran-powered Region 6 squad with a time of 3:18.96 at the Ferdinand E. Marcos Memorial Stadium oval. Villaran, who was the third runner, and his Western Visayas teammates, settled for second with 3:20.49.

The 18-year-old Villaran went on claim three medals -- two golds and a silver.

Both the clockings of NCR and Region 6 not only surpassed the 2019 meet record of the Al Rhayyan Labita-led NCR team, they also went past the national junior mark of the team of Ryan Bigyan, John Cedric Montesser, Ferdinand Lopez and Raymund Lopez in the 2013 POC-PSC National Games.

Kings Montessori secures 2nd straight Shakey’s volley victory

KING’S Montessori School turned back California Academy, 25-18, 27-25, for a second straight win in Pool C of the 2025 Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational League (SGVIL) Rising Stars Cup Division 1 on Friday at the La Salle Green Hills Gym. Paula Palma and Sheniry Neverio delivered the timely hits as the Lady Vikings charged back from five points down in the second set to complete a hard-earned sweep for a 2-1 winloss record in the country’s biggest grassroots volleyball league backed by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Potato Corner and R and B Milk Tea.

Palma scored all of her nine points from kills while Neverio pounded five of her six markers in the second frame for KMS, which bolstered its chances of advancing to

knockout quarterfinals despite suffering a disappointing three-set opening day loss to Arellano University.

Venice Escote and Kriska Gindap combined for nine points for the Lady Vikings. The debuting Cal Babies threatened to force a deciding set after building a 21-16 lead behind Diosa Perez and Mhonnieck Soliven. KMS mounted a telling 8-2 to move at matchpoint, 24-22, following an attack error by Soliven. California Academy saved three match points with Perez knotting it at 25 after a booming crosscourt hit, only for Palma to answer with her version to push the Lady Vikings back in front. The Cal Babies surrendered the match after Soliven committed the last of the inaugural champions’ atrocious 22 errors off a mistimed tip.

Tambalque cruises, Anciano rallies to win JPGT Caliraya titles

CAVINTI, Laguna—Patrick Tambalque turned the final round of the ICTSI Caliraya Springs Junior PGT Championship into a virtual coronation, while Rafa Anciano staged a dramatic comeback to secure another crown in the 15-18 division of the premier junior golf series at the Caliraya Springs Golf Club here on Friday.

Holding a commanding six-stroke lead over Zachary Villaroman after 36 holes, Tambalque played with calculated precision in the final round. The Riviera Golf and Country Club standout made the most of his birdie opportunities but avoided unnecessary risks, closing out with a 70 spiked by two birdies in the last five holes for a eight-under 208 total and a dominant nine-stroke victory. “It was a bit of a struggle on the front nine – I just wasn’t feeling it,” said Tambalque, who also triumphed in the Splendido Taal leg, the only other tournament he joined in the Luzon series. “But I gained momentum after a birdie on No. 11. I started sinking a lot of solid putts from about one to two-pin lengths.”

Despite building a sizable lead, Tambalque, who is set to compete next week in a junior interclub tournament

at his home course in Riviera, remained focused. “I wasn’t sure how things would turn out, even with the lead. I just kept my expectations in check and stuck to my game plan.” Kristoffer Nadales delivered the round of the day under overcast skies, firing a bogey-free 66 to snatch runner-up honors in his first JPGT appearance with a 217 total at the well-maintained par-72 layout, voted as the best course in 2024. His late surge relegated Zachary Villaroman and John Paul Agustin Jr. to third and fourth with 75-219 and 75-224, respectively. It was a sterling finish for 15-year-old Nadales, whose flawless final-day performance more than made up for his early struggles, where he carded 75 and 76 in the first two rounds. Two birdies on the front nine hinted at what was to come, as Nadales ignited on the back nine – birdieing two of the first three holes. He then delivered back-toback birdies starting at No. 15, nearly capping his round with a seventh birdie when a six-foot putt caught a rough patch and veered left at the last moment.

Posadas in inspiring him and helping out Arthur Fronda in crafting a strategy for their race. Teaming up for the relays with Tacoy were Anthony Cariaso and Ivan Cabanda and Pi Wangkay, who earned his third gold medal. Meanwhile, wonder kids Sia and Garra became the winningest athletes of the games as they clinched seven gold medals each for NCR at the end of the swimming meet at the FEMMS pool.

The 12-year-old Sia, a sixth grader from Xavier School, grabbed his final two medals in the elementary boys’ 50-meter backstroke and with his teammates in the 4X50-meter freestyle relays.

Garra snared her final pair of mints the with NCR squadmates in the elementary girls’ 4x50 meter freestyle relays, and in the 50-meter freestyle action.

ZAMBOANGA SiKat overpowered Davao Occidental, 88-66, on Thursday to rev up its drive in the Manny Pacquiao presents 1xBet-MPBL 2025 Season ladder at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay. Zamboanga notched its seventh straight win and climbed to 12-2 in the round-robin elimination phase of the 30-team tournament. Nueva Ecija paces the chase for playoff berths with a 12-0 slate, followed by Abra (11-1) and San Juan (11-1). Reigning back-to-back titlist Pampanga halted its slide with an 86-78 victory over Pasay in the nightcap of a triple-bill, while Caloocan found its rhythm in the second half and trounced Quezon City Galeries Taipan, 84-71, in the opener. In control throughout the second half, the Giant Lanterns pulled away at 73-53 and fended off the Voyagers’ late rally to recover from back-to-back losses and improve to 9-3. Top Gun Archie Concepcion posted 18 points, 8 assists and 5 rebounds, while big man Larry Muyang tallied 17 points and 6 rebounds for Pampanga.

Pasay fell to 8-6 despite Laurenz Victoria’s 24 points, 7 assists and 6 rebounds, Warren Bonifacio’s 12 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists, and Cyrus Tabi’s 11 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists.

Members of the Ateneo de Davao team ash the no. 1 sign after winning the secondary boys’ basketball crown in the Palarong Pambansa.

Titus Sia shows o seven ngers representing his seven golds.

“Ginawa ko ang best ko, kasi alam kong pinagkakatiwalaan ako ng mga teammates ko,” said Tacoy, who credited his coach, Olympic veteran Muros-

Archie Concepcion of Pampanga

Two Kings Montessori defenders quash a smash attempt by California Academy. Roman Prospero

Patrick Tambalque Manny Marcelo

GSIS@88: Basta Sama-sama, Tuloy-Tuloy ang Ginhawa

AS THE Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) celebrates its 88th anniversary, we honor the journey of service that has spanned generations. For nearly nine decades, GSIS has remained steadfast in its commitment to protect, support, and uplift the lives of government workers and pensioners nationwide.

This milestone is more than just a number but also a reaffirmation of our purpose: to deliver Ginhawa for all in every stage of our members’ lives. With every policy reform, loan program, insurance coverage, and digital innovation, we continue to push boundaries to make government service more rewarding and secure. In 2024, GSIS recorded one of its strongest financial performances to date, with net income reaching P135.7 billion, a 21% increase from the previous year. Total assets rose to P1.83 trillion, fueled by robust investment returns and efficient operations. Our insurance business also exceeded expectations, solidifying GSIS’s position as the largest state insurer. These results reflect our financial resilience and our ability to secure the fund life through

GSIS saves government workers from high-interest lenders with Ginhawa Max Loan Buyout

GOVERNMENT workers trapped in a cycle of high-interest loans can now break free, thanks to the Government Service Insurance System’s (GSIS) enhanced Ginhawa Max Loan Buyout program. This initiative provides much-needed relief―completely buying out expensive loans so borrowers can start fresh with lower interest rates, as low as six percent per year, and more manageable payment terms under GSIS.

Members may borrow up to ₱5 million or 19 times their monthly salary, whichever is lower, and benefit from repayment periods up to 10 years with no service fees.

“We want to help public servants break free from the bondage of indebtedness and take confident steps toward financial security,”

said GSIS President and General Manager Wick Veloso. “Our priority is to extend timely financial support and affordable repayment options to more government workers.”

The previous need for a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) has been replaced by sending a Letter of Intent from agency heads or designated representatives for their personnel to apply.

To apply, government employees may schedule appointments via the GSIS Touch mobile app, and prepare their latest pay slip and documents for loans they wish to buy out or consolidate. Applicants must have at least one posted premium payment in the last six months, no existing MPL or defaulted GSIS Financial Assistance Loans, no administrative or criminal

2058 and beyond. The theme for this year, “Basta Sama-Sama, Tuloy-Tuloy ang Ginhawa,” reflects our belief that progress is best achieved through unity and shared action. Whether it’s expanding digital access, launching inclusive housing initiatives, or strengthening financial and social protection, every milestone in this supplement tells the story of what we can accomplish together.

From transformative technologies to resilient partnerships, and from empowered members to awardwinning programs, the GSIS 88th Anniversary Supplement is a tribute to a future we are building hand-inhand with integrity, innovation, and compassion at the core.

cases, and must meet the net take-home pay requirement under the General Appropriations Act.

MPL Max is part of the GSIS MultiPurpose Loan Bundle, which also includes MPL Flex and MPL Lite― offering timely financial assistance when members and pensioners need it most.

MALACANAN PALACE

MANILA

MESSAGE

A stable and forwarding bureaucracy is built on the well-being of those who serve in it. Thus, in order to attain a functioning and thriving state that is built on strong public institutions, we must sustain the systems that ensure and protect the financial security, health, and dignity of our civil servants. It is in this spirit that I express my warm greetings to the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) as you celebrate your 88th Anniversary For nearly nine decades, the GSIS has exemplified dependability, professionalism, and excellence in responding to pressing national concerns. As a pillar of our country’s growth and development, you have been a reliable partner in ensuring social protection and building the future, thereby helping our public servants and their families live with greater stability, dignity, and peace of mind. Truly, your organization serves as the nurturing hands that uplift government workers and the country they help transform.

On this auspicious occasion, I hope that you will take a moment and appreciate the impact of your mission on the lives you have touched. Let this celebration fuel your shared commitment to nation-building. Consider every successful disbursement of benefits for those who served, every loan for dreams you reinforced, and every project you funded as foundations to a more secure and financially stable Bagong Pilipinas. May your anniversary be a call to deepen your service and reinvigorate your passion.

Mabuhay ang GSIS!

‘Dahil sa MPL Flex, ako’y nagkabahay, nagkalupa, plus mayroon pa akong motorcycle parts business.’ Veverlie Padernal, Bukidnon public school teacher. Availing of the MPL Flex, just via the GSIS Touch app, signaled a new beginning for her family after her husband’s accident.

Republic of the Philippines DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE

Roxas Blvd. corner P. Ocampo St., 1004 Manila

MESSAGE

I extend my warmest greetings to the men and women of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) as you celebrate your 88th founding anniversary.

Your theme, “GSIS@88: Basta Sama-Sama, Tuloy-Tuloy Ang Ginhawa,” powerfully captures the spirit of unity and shared purpose that has defined GSIS for nearly nine decades. It affirms a simple truth: when we work together, we build not only systems-but also stability, dignity, and peace of mind for millions of public servants and their families.

Because of your steadfast commitment, our teachers, soldiers, healthcare workers, and countless other public servants can perform their duties with confidence-knowing that they are not just serving the nation, but are also being protected by an institution that truly values them.

I am confident that GSIS will continue to raise the bar for governance and embrace digital innovation to better serve its members and look after the future of the next generation of Filipinos who will carry this country farther and further along the road to inclusive progress.

Makakaasa po kayo sa buong suporta ng Department of Finance (DOF) sa pagtutulak ng mga reporma at programang nagbibigay pag-asa, seguridad, at ginhawa sa bawat lingkod-bayan. Mabuhay ang GSIS at mabuhay ang Bagong Pilipinas.

Dear GSIS Family,

Home ownership: From dreams to reality

AHOME is more than just shelter. It is security, comfort, and hope. Through its flagship housing programs, GSIS is making it possible for more members to move from renting to owning.

RALPH G. RECTO

Secretary of Finance

GSIS 88th Anniversary

MESSAGE

On our 88th Anniversary this May 31, 2025, I extend my warmest congratulations to all of you.

This milestone stands as a powerful testament to our nearly nine decades of providing service, as well as celebrating your commitment to serve the generations of public servants who have dedicated their lives to build our nation.

Our anniversary theme, “GSIS@88: Basta sama-sama, tuloy-tuloy ang ginhawa,” genuinely captures the essence of our organization. It highlights the strength that comes from working as one. Together, we forge lasting security for our members and deliver essential benefits that truly matter making a tangible and positive difference in their lives.

Aligned with the vision of Bagong Pilipinas, we reaffirm our role in driving progress and reforms that uplift the lives of our members and the nation as a whole.

The Board of Trustees will continue to provide the strategic direction needed for the GSIS to thrive. We work hand-in-hand with Management, who guides our operations. Our focus is aimed at establishing the needed frameworks and support that empower Management to perform at its best and deliver outstanding results.

To every executive and associate of the GSIS Team, thank you for your unwavering dedication to our mission and for the profound sense of responsibility you continue to show towards the public servants who depend on us. Let us look ahead to the next 88 years— to a stronger, sharper, and more responsive GSIS. Basta sama-sama, tuloy-tuloy ang ginhawa.

The Lease with Option to Buy (LWOB) program offers members the chance to lease a GSIS property with the option to own it later, without down payment, and through affordable installment plans. In 2025, LWOB was honored at the GovMedia Awards in Singapore as one of Asia’s most innovative government housing initiatives.

program has helped 3,360 families start their journey to homeownership, with properties valued at P2.84 billion. Meanwhile, the Housing Accounts Restructuring and Condonation Program (HARCP) offers relief to housing borrowers struggling with payments. It provides a reduced 6% interest

borrowers avoid foreclosure and regain control of their homeownership journey. These programs are not just about home, they’re about preserving dignity and giving our modern-day heroes, a place they can truly call their own.

May 15, 2025, the

Protecting what matters: Stronger coverage, greater trust

IN AN unpredictable world, insurance is a pillar of resilience. For the third consecutive year, GSIS has exceeded its non-life insurance premium targets, reinforcing its role in protecting public institutions, properties, and lives.

In 2024 alone, GSIS generated P10.5 billion in non-life insurance premiums, far exceeding its P8.9 billion target. This includes the coverage of over 132,000 school buildings under the National Indemnity Insurance Program, and personal accident insurance for DepEd personnel.

Through the Seal of Protection Awards, GSIS also recognized local government units (LGU) and national agencies that champion asset protection, promoting a culture of preparedness across government.

Looking ahead, GSIS is set to launch a fully digital General Insurance Information System in cooperation with the Japan International Coordination Agency (JICA). This AI-enabled platform will allow real-time, paperless transactions for applications, endorsements, and claims—bringing ease, transparency, and speed to every insured institution.

RODOLFO G. DEL ROSARIO JR. Chairman

88TH GSIS Anniversary, 31 May 2025

AT THE heart of GSIS’s mission is listening to its members. By deepening its partnerships with the Philippine Alliance of Retired Educators (PARE) and the Philippine Government Employees Association (PGEA), GSIS is turning feedback into action.

In February 2025, PGM Veloso inducted the new officers of PARE, including GSIS Trustee Beatriz Torno. A dialogue was also conducted during the event to respond to issues and concerned raised by PARE members. Meanwhile, GSIS and PGEA

strengthened their collaboration with the launch of the GSIS-PGEA Speakers’ Bureau, held on May 7–8, 2025. With 27 union leaders trained, the program combats fake news and promotes grassroots understanding of GSIS programs. There was also an open dialogue in the PGEA national convention held at the GSIS Theater on May 22 which emphasized the importance of feedback, transparency, and continuous service improvement. These alliances ensure that GSIS remains grounded, accountable, and connected to those it serves.

With over 3.8 million loans processed, GSIS Touch empowers 1.7 million users to transact securely using facial authentication—anytime, anywhere. IN ITS mission to deliver Ginhawa for all, GSIS continues to lead the way in digital transformation, redefining public service through smart, secure, and user-friendly solutions. At the heart of this effort is the GSIS Touch mobile app, a tool that puts key services directly into the hands of members and pensioners. With facial authentication integrated into the platform, loan applications no longer require one-time passwords or branch visits. A simple face scan is enough to complete a secure transaction anytime, anywhere. As of early 2025, more than 3.8 million loans have been processed through the app, now trusted

Empowering members through innovation

by 1.7 million users—two-thirds of the GSIS membership. Digital innovation doesn’t stop at mobile. GSIS has also rolled out Digital Business Centers nationwide—self-service hubs where members can apply for loans, verify compliance, comply with the Annual Pensioners Information Revalidation (APIR) status, and file claims with ease. With 40 digital centers now operational, GSIS ensures that even members with limited access to technology can still experience fast, efficient service. These efforts support the national goal of reducing red tape and improving ease of doing

Anti-Red Tape Authority Director General Ernesto Perez successfully accessed his account through the GSIS Touch mobile app during the inauguration of the GSIS Digital Business Center (DBC) at the Quezon City Branch Office. This is among the 40 DBCs across the country which provide walk-in members with self-service tools for loans, claims, and APIR.

business across the country. To support long-term efficiency and resilience, GSIS is also developing its Enterprise Architecture Project, a framework that enhances system security, streamlines processes, and prepares the institution for future demands. GSIS’s transformation is not just about going digital, it’s about building deeper trust, increasing accessibility, and ensuring that every interaction with GSIS reflects care, competence, and commitment.

MESSAGE

Eighty-eight years ago, the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) began with a simple promise: to stand by those who serve our nation. Today, as we celebrate our anniversary, this promise remains our foundation. Our theme—Basta sama-sama, tuloy-tuloy ang ginhawa—speaks to the heart of what we believe. True progress happens together. Lasting security builds through partnership.

Every day, public servants shape our nation’s future. You teach our children. You care for our sick. You maintain order and deliver essential services. You sacrifice personal gain for public good.

The GSIS exists because of you and for you.

Your retirement years deserve peace. Your housing needs deserve attention. Your financial challenges deserve support. These principles guide our decision-making and drive our innovations.

The road ahead brings both challenges and opportunities. We commit to facing them with the same dedication you bring to your service. We will continue developing programs that respond to your evolving needs, creating digital solutions that respect your time, and building financial products that honor your contributions.

This anniversary celebration would be incomplete without recognizing our most valuable asset—our employees. To the GSIS team nationwide: your dedication transforms policy into meaningful assistance. Your care makes a difference in countless lives. Thank you for embodying the true spirit of public service. To our Board of Trustees: your guidance shapes our vision. To our government partners: your collaboration strengthens our impact.

Most importantly, to our members and pensioners: thank you for your trust. It remains our highest honor to serve those who serve our nation. Together, we move forward. Together, we build security. Together, we create ginhawa. Basta sama-sama, tuloy-tuloy ang ginhawa

JOSE ARNULFO A. VELOSO President and General Manager

GSIS President and General Manager Wick Veloso leads the unveiling of the Digital Business Center at the GSIS Quezon City Branch Office on February 20, enhancing service efficiency for government workers and pensioners.

lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

NICKIE WANG, Editor

ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer

JASPER VALDEZ, Writer

Timeless basics get a seasonal update

By Jasper Valdez

THE T-shirt makes a confident return as the go-to piece in everyday wardrobes, favored for its comfort, versatility, and ease. This season, Uniqlo and British designer Anya Hindmarch revisit the casual essential with their Spring/ Summer 2025 “T-Shirt Shop” collection, offering new takes on a garment worn by many all year round.

Unveiled during an exclusive preview on May 22 at the Uniqlo Manila Global Flagship Store in Makati, the collection features five T-shirt styles, each designed with a specific fit and function in mind.

The pieces range from sleeveless tanks to looser, boxier cuts meant for layering or warm-weather wear.

“This summer, we focused on one of the most essential items we wear—not just in summer, but all year round: the T-shirt,” said Uniqlo Philippines head of PR and Sustainability Reichelle Vergara

“With this partnership, we wanted to show how everyday basics can be elevated through quality and detail.”

B4 LIFE

Philippine designers to showcase work in Milan mentorship program

THE Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), through the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), has launched the FASHIONPhilippines Milan Mentorship Program 2025 in partnership with the Philippine Fashion Coalition (PFC) and consultancy firm LIT Fashion.

The initiative aims to prepare 10 Filipino designers and fashion brands for a global audience through a mentorship program and a three-day exhibition at Fondazione Sozzani in Milan, scheduled from Sept. 23 to 25. The showcase will coincide with Milan Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2026.

Curated designs by the selected participants will be exhibited at Fondazione Sozzani, a venue known for hosting works by prominent figures such as Yayoi Kusama, Maison Martin Margiela, Annie Leibovitz, and Helmut Newton

Before the exhibit, participants will undergo a mentorship program with a panel of fashion industry professionals led by Sara Sozzani Maino , creative director of Fondazione Sozzani. Other mentors include Riccardo Grassi, Niccolò Pasqualetti, Riccardo Terzo, Giulia Demitri, Helena Boissonnas, and Ryle Tuvierra . The sessions will include portfolio reviews and one-on-one consultations to help designers refine their business strategies and creative direction.

DTI Secretary Cris Roque said the program reflects the agency’s efforts to promote Filipino talent abroad while also boosting local economic opportunities.

CITEM executive director Leah Pulido-Ocampo said the project is structured as both a creative and business platform.

The pieces reflect Hindmarch’s design language, incorporating details like zigzag stitches, inside-out hems, and her recognizable eye motif.

The designs also include subtle stitched phrases on sleeves and hems.

Host and content creator Dani Mortel , who modeled the tank top during the event, pointed out how the fit felt both modern and wearable.

“It’s modest but modern. You can throw a jacket over it, layer it, or wear it as is. And you can pair it with just about anything.”

Filipino startup turns algae,

A TEAM of Filipino designers and entrepreneurs has launched a new sustainable material made from algae and banana waste, offering an alternative to traditional animal leather.

The startup, Konstratá, was formed through a collaboration between Tal de Guzman , founder of fashion brand Risqué Designs and educator at De La SalleCollege of Saint Benilde, and her former students Micca Amor and

The collection stays within a palette of neutral tones—white, black, gray, and olive—allowing the shirts to match with existing wardrobe items.

Even the kids’ shirt, available in smaller sizes and playful colors, caught the attention of petite adult shoppers looking for casual, well-fitting options.

Also part of the launch are two washable pouches, offered in large and small sizes, designed for travel or everyday use.

The collection became available in stores and online on May 23.

“It’s about fostering long-term business growth and cultivating awareness on the Filipino aesthetic that’s worthy of global recognition,” she said.

PFC chairperson Carissa Cruz-Evangelista noted that the initiative has received strong support from local and international partners. LIT Fashion’s Tetta Ortiz-Matera, who helped design the program, called the effort “a rare and strategic chance” for Filipino designers to engage with key players in the global fashion market.

Applications for the mentorship program are open until June 14. Applicants must be Filipino nationals, registered members of PFC, have at least two years of business operation in the Philippines, and have launched a minimum of two collections. Designers must also commit to presenting a 15–20-piece collection in Milan. Application forms and full requirements are available at: https://fameplus.com/trade_fairs/fashionphilippines-milan.

banana waste into plant-based leather alternative

Vinz Mamalateo Amor leads Love, Amor Studios, and works with algae-based bioplastics, while Mamalateo is behind the banana-leather venture Philip-Anaban.

Initially serving as a mentor, de Guzman later joined forces with the duo to develop the biobased material. The team now sources banana fibers and peel waste from Villa Socorro Farm, a local enterprise that promotes

to leather. Its tagline, “Fibers Don’t Hide,” reflects the group’s aim to embrace the raw qualities of plant-based fibers instead of replicating animal hide.

“We believe plant-based materials don’t just improve our lifestyle but also how we live,” said de Guzman.

The material is designed for versatility and can be used across industries, including fashion, furniture, and packaging. The group is targeting both artists and manufacturers looking to reduce environmental impact through ethical sourcing and production.

Konstratá is also expanding its reach through partnerships with schools, NGOs, and communities to promote sustainable practices and provide livelihoods through waste-to-resource initiatives.

The project is currently raising funds through The Spark Project, a local crowdfunding platform in collaboration with the Benilde Hub of Innovation for Inclusion.

“Our backers are not just supporters,” said Mamalateo. “They’re part of the movement to build a greener, more ethical world.”

Early prototypes of slippers made with Konstratá leather reflect the group’s vision for sustainable, stylish products

Sheets of Konstratá’s plant-based leather show the raw textures of banana fibers and algae-based bioplastics

From left: Founders Tal de Guzman, Micca Amor, and Vinz Mamalateo discuss swatch colors and applications during a design session

sustainable agriculture. Konstratá, which means “with layers,” markets its product as a layered, nature-derived alternative

Fondazione Sozzani in Milan gears up to host 10 Filipino designers for an international showcase during Fashion Week

Dani Mortel (rightmost) gives tips on how to wear and style different pieces in the collection

From left: Uniqlo head of PR & Sustainability, Reiny Vergara, content creator Dani Mortel, and host Rocio Escano at the launch of the new 2025 Spring/Summer UNIQLO x Anya Hindmarch Collection

Kids get first dibs on the collection’s fun-sized tees

Green lane projects hit P5.2t; $1-b agri-food fund takes off

By Othel V. Campos

Green Lane investments

jobs

and other mineral products at $291.61 million (4.3 percent). $1 billion P5.2 trillion

THE Board of Investments (BOI) said Friday it met with Maharlika Investment Corp. (MIC) and representatives from Charoen Pokphand (CP) Group to advance the launch of a $1-billion agri-food fund.

The initiative aims to strengthen collaboration on key investment initiatives and drive inclusive economic growth by accelerating high-impact agricultural investments.

Priority Plan (SIPP).

Data showed that Green Lanecertified investments in the Philippines reached P5.2 trillion as of May 27, 2025, with 208 strategic projects now benefiting from streamlined government processing.

“These Green Lane projects are not just numbers on paper, they represent large-scale, transformative investments that support our shift to clean energy, infrastructure modernization, and long-term competitiveness,” said Department of Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque.

IN BRIEF

BOI governor Marjorie Samaniego led the presentation on incentives under CREATE MORE, outlining key opportunities in priority sectors identified in the Strategic Investments

The meeting focused on fiscal and non-fiscal incentives for fund-backed projects, including registration requirements for private equity structures, alignment with strategic priority sectors, and identifying regions where the government is actively encouraging private investment. Opportunities for partnerships with BOI-registered entities and pipeline projects were also discussed.

Established through Executive Order No. 18 in 2023, Green Lanes were designed to fast-track the processing of permits and licenses for qualified strategic investments.

collection target by raising P1.111 trillion, net of tax refunds.

It said the figure was P7.045 billion higher than its goal for the period and represented a 14.50-percent, or P140.695-billion increase, compared to the same period last year.

The cumulative collection as of April 2025 also accounted for more than 35 percent of the BIR’s full-year 2025 target of P3.232 trillion. The 2025 annual target is 13.36 percent or P380.871 billion higher than the actual collection in calendar year 2024.

“With the intensification of the bureau’s tax enforcement activities, specifically on the campaign against sellers and buyers of fake receipts, and with the continuous streamlining and digitalization of the BIR’s core services, we hope to encourage all non-compliant taxpayers to comply fully with the provisions and requirements of the tax laws so we can attain, and even surpass, our annual collection target this year,” said BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr.

Tanay taps GCash for digital payments

THE municipality of Tanay, Rizal tapped GCash, the country’s top finance app and largest cashless ecosystem, to roll out the province’s first comprehensive digital payment system. The partnership aims to simplify financial transactions for residents, reduce the need for time-consuming commutes and support the broader economic empowerment of the local community. The rollout of the new digital system, which includes GCash’s Scan-To-Pay (STP), BillsPay, Fund Disbursement Service (FDS) and VISA Cards, is expected to streamline the way Tanay residents handle their financial transactions.

This marks a crucial step for Rizal province, making Tanay the first municipality to adopt digital financial aid disbursement through GCash, paired with VISA cards for added financial flexibility. For many Tanay residents, the traditional process of paying taxes or receiving financial assistance often meant traveling long distances to the municipal hall, a journey that could cost as much as P100 to P200 in transportation expenses. With the integration of GCash’s digital solutions, citizens can make payments and collect financial aid from the comforts of their homes, anytime and anywhere. Darwin G. Amojelar

PAG-IBIG Fund recorded a 50-percent growth in investment income in the first four months of 2025, reflecting its prudent financial stewardship and growing capacity to support members’ savings and housing needs.

The development affirms the agency’s key role in advancing the Marcos administration’s agenda of strengthening government financial institutions and improving the lives of Filipino workers through responsive social benefits.

It said that from January to April 2025, the agency earned P2.73 billion in investment income, up from P1.81 billion it booked in the same period in 2024, driven by strategic placements in bonds and other debt securities,

money market instruments, equities and investment properties.

Pag-IBIG Fund chief executive

Marilene Acosta said the agency’s investment portfolio reached P158.15 billion as of April 2025, reflecting a 42-percent year-on-year increase from P111.39 billion in April 2024.

She said this growth forms part of Pag-IBIG Fund’s sound and strategic allocation of its more than P1.11 trillion in total assets—a milestone the agency reached earlier this month.

Based on the latest available data, Pag-IBIG Fund’s earning assets reached P1.09 trillion, consisting of P856.96 billion in housing-related assets, P77.94 billion in short-term loans and P158.12 billion in incomegenerating investments.

New law expected to lift local capital markets—Recto

By Darwin G. Amojelar

DEPARTMENT of Finance

Secretary

Ralph Recto on Friday lauded the enactment of Republic Act No. 12214 or the Capital Markets Efficiency Promotion Act (CMEPA), saying this would encourage greater participation from ordinary Filipinos in the local capital markets. Championed by the Department of Finance (DOF), RA 12214 is in line with President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s agenda of promoting long-term economic growth and prosperity for all Filipinos.

With net revenue gains projected at over P25 billion from 2025 to 2030, CMEPA also supports the objective of the Medium-Term Fiscal Framework (MTFF) to reduce the country’s fiscal deficit to about 3.8 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) by 2028.

“We thank the President for signing the CMEPA into law. This is a landmark reform that brings capital market investments closer to the Filipino people. By making investment channels clearer, more affordable, and more accessible, especially for small investors, we open the door to greater financial inclusion for our people,” said Recto.

“This is a major victory for the country, as inclusive access to investment opportunities and a broader, deeper financial system are vital pillars of long-term, inclusive growth,” he said.

PH trade groups cautious as US court strikes down Trump tariffs

THE US Court of International Trade’s ruling that struck down President Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariff order is reverberating across global trade circles, and the Philippines should brace for its fallout while addressing its own competitiveness issues, according to Foreign Buyers Association of the Philippines (FOBAP) president Robert Young.

“This is very good news in principle because what Trump did was dictatorial and unfair. But the harm is already done,” Young said, reacting to reports of the court’s decision to block the controversial trade policy.

He said that while the ruling is a win for global trade advocates, it ushers in a period of uncertainty.

“We don’t know who will prevail— Trump or the court. Until then, everything is in limbo. The supply chain is already affected, and the whole business world is holding its breath,” said Young. The court’s decision follows widespread opposition to Trump’s reciprocal tariff strategy, which drew legal challenges from various industry groups.

Young said FOBAP had been in talks with US apparel and garment associations who anticipated legal

action.

“From the start, they said they would question the legality of the order. It was defended under presidential emergency powers, but it wasn’t about drugs or national security—it was just about business competition. That’s why the court has now spoken,” he said. Young warned that the damage had been done, and major global businesses already

or rescheduled operations.

Philex Mining unveils $1-b Silangan mine in Mindanao

PHILEX Mining Corporation (Philex), one of the oldest and largest copper and gold producers in the Philippines, recently unveiled its Silangan Project in simple ceremonies at its project site in Barangay Timamana, Tubod, Surigao del Norte.

The project is expected to spend total capital expenditures (CAPEX) of around $1 billion on its construction and development, and ramp-up production programs until it reaches a full capacity of 4 million tonnes per year.

This amount excludes sustaining CAPEX and is on top of the company’s pre-development investment in the project of P18 billion.

Based on the In-Phase Mine Plan and on the latest updates on the construction and procurement process, the Silangan Project is slated to have its first metal production by March 2026.

The ceremony was held in front of the Grinding Complex which is composed of major equipment such as the SAG (Semi Autogenous Grinding) mill, mill liner handler and cyclone cluster pump at the process plant to showcase it as one of the most critical areas of the project.

The process plant also includes copper leaching and gold leaching operation, with the copper leaching from run of mine ore to copper cathode production, making it the first of its kind in the country; thus, the final products are copper cathode and gold dore.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga was the guest of honor and speaker at the unveiling ceremonies. She was accompanied by Undersecretary Joselin Marcus Fragada, DENR Undersecretary for Field Operations-Mindanao; Undersecretary Augusto De la Peña, Undersecretary for Organizational Transformation and Human Resources; and Assistant Secretary Michael Cabalda, DENR Assistant Secretary for Mining Concerns and OIC Director of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB).

Welcoming the Secretary to the project site was Philex/Silangan president and chief executive Eulalio Austin Jr.

Alsons bullish on 2025, eyes more power investments

By Alena Mae S. Flores

ALSONS Consolidated Resources, Inc. is bullish of its 2025 operations and vowed to invest in more power generation projects including renewable energy.

“Looking ahead, we recognize the country’s growing need for reliable, sustainable energy. We intend to meet this by investing in renewables while pursuing technologies that allow for stable and economic generation,” Alsons chairman Nicasio Alcantara said in a statement. Alsons deputy chief financial officer Philip Edward Sagun said 2025 “will mark a period of significant progress for our power generation companies, driven by continued improvements in operational efficiency, reliability, and capacity utilization.”

“As key players in the Mindanao energy landscape, our facilities are well-positioned to meet the region’s growing demand for dependable and sustainable power. Through strategic investments and ongoing enhancements across our assets, we remain committed to ensuring a stable and resilient energy supply that supports economic development and uplifts the communities we serve,” he said.

Alsons believes that a balanced portfolio is the most responsible path forward - one that secures the grid today while transitioning toward cleaner sources, amid rising power demand and the increasing call for sustainability.

“This growing portfolio of conventional and renewable assets-now totaling 428 megawatts-lets us meet current needs while preparing for a cleaner and more resilient energy future,” Alcantara said.

Robinsons Retail buys back shares from GCH for

By Jenniffer B. Austria

Robinsons Retail Holdings, Inc. (RRHI) said Friday that it has bought back 315,309 million common shares from GCH Investments Pte. Ltd. for P15.77 billion.

RRHI, the listed retail holding company of the Gokongwei Group, said the shares represent 22.2 percent of RRHI’s common shares.

The shares were acquired at P50 apiece, 36.2 percent premium to the stock’s closing price of P36.70 before the deal was announced.

GCH is a subsidiary of DFI Retail Group (DFI).

The deal was done through a special block sale approved by the company.

DFI became a major minority shareholder of the company in 2018 when RRHI acquired 100 percent of Rustan Supercenters, Inc. (RSCI) through a

share-for-share swap with DFI.

DFI later increased its stake to 20 percent by buying shares from the Gokongwei family and from the market.

RRHI said this buyback transaction is a strategic move to optimize capital allocation and create more value to its stakeholders.

Moreover, the ongoing share repurchase program reflects the company’s belief that current market prices do not fully reflect the underlying financial strength and long-term growth prospects of RRHI.

“DFI has been instrumental in RRHI’s growth over the last few

SHARE prices dropped below 6,400 on Friday amid continued global uncertainties after US President Donald Trump’s tariff policy was cooked by a US court.

The 30-company Philippine Stock Exchange index dropped 71.28 points or 1.11 percent to 6,341.53 while the broader all shares Index declined 29.48 points or 0.79 percent to 3,723.62.

Analysts said the market saw pullback as selling pressure weighed on investor sentiment. Likewise, the MSCI rebalancing

also contributed to the market’s volatility as investors realigned portfolios to reflect the new composition.

Among the sectors, only mining and oil index ended in positive territory, rising by 1.83 percent as gold prices went up overnight.

Industrial index declined 1.62 percent while property went down by 1.53 percent.

Value turnover reached P24.46 billion, boosted by P15.77 billion block sale of Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc’s shares.

Foreign investors were net sellers

with outflows reaching P15.31 million.

Shares of Bloomberry Resorts Corp. dropped 7.32 percent to P4.18 per share as the company was deleted from MSCI Philippines Small Cap Index . On the other hand, the stock price of Bank of the Philippine Islands inched up by 0.80 percent to P139.10 apiece.

Most Asian shares fell Friday after a US appeal court gave Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs a temporary reprieve, fanning uncertainty a day after judges had ruled the con-

years,” said RRHI president and chief executive Stanley Co.

“Our acquisition of RSCI in 2018 and Rose Pharmacy in 2020 from DFI has allowed us to enter the premium food retail business and expand our drugstore presence in the Visayas and Mindanao regions as we added The Marketplace, Shopwise, and Rose Pharmacy into our portfolio. This partnership has also paved the way for RRHI to become the exclusive distributor of DFI’s private label brands – Meadows and Guardian – in the country. For this, we are deeply grateful for the partnership we have forged with DFI through the years.”

Share prices fall below 6,400 on uncertainties over Trump’s policy Converge keeps 2025 profit guidance after strong Q1

Malayan Laguna taps ACEN for RE transition

MALAYAN Colleges Laguna (Mapúa MCL) has partnered with ACEN Renewable Energy Solutions (ACEN RES) to transition its entire campus in Cabuyao,Laguna into 100 percent renewable energy.

The shift was implemented under the Department of Energy’s Green Energy Option Program (GEOP), which allows qualified consumers to choose their renewable energy provider.

With this collaboration, Mapúa MCL will reduce its carbon emissions by approximately 91 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent each month.

“Mapúa MCL is not only dedicated to providing quality education but is also committed to safeguarding the future of its students by embracing sustainability through

this transition to renewable energy,” saidSheila Mina, vice president and head of account management at ACEN RES, and an alumna of Mapúa University.

Mapúa MCL president and chief executive officer Dr. Dodjie S. Maestrecampo said the transition partnership reflects the school’s long-term vision for environmental responsibility.

“Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna has always been at the forefront of innovation and progress. This partnership with ACEN RES and our shift to 100 percent renewable energy reflects our unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship and our responsibility to future generations,” said Maestrecampo. Jenniffer B. Austria

By Darwin G. Amojelar

CONVERGE Information and Communications Technology Solutions Inc. said Friday it is maintaining its earnings guidance for 2025, following a strong performance in the first quarter.

“Following our first quarter 2025 performance, we are maintaining our current guidance,” Maria Grace Uy, Converge president said during the company’s virtual annual stockholders’ meeting.

“Our projections remain aligned with our budget and expectations,” she said.

Uy said the company expects consolidated revenues to grow by 14 percent to 16 percent this year.

Converge’s consolidated revenues went up by 13.2 percent to P10.8 bil-

troversial measures were unconstitutional.

The losses reversed a rally across world markets the previous day as analysts warned that the legal wrangling could compound volatility and throw trade talks between Washington and other governments. While the tariffs have been stalled and are set to go through the courts -- and possibly end up at the Supreme Court -- there are expectations that the US president will find other means to implement them.

Jenniffer B. Austria with AFP

lion in the first quarter, reinforcing its position as the fastest-growing fixed broadband and technology services provider in the Philippines.

The company posted a net profit of P3 billion in the January to March period, up 18.3 percent from P2.6 billion in the same period last year. Uy said the company has allocated between P20 billion and P25 billion for capital expenditures this year.

This substantial investment is primarily driven by one-off payments related to two major submarine cable system projects: the Bifrost Cable System and the Southeast Asia-Hong Kong Express Cable System (SEAH2X).

A significant portion of this budget is also dedicated to port expansion, with plans to deploy 400,000 to 500,000 new ports this year.

Philex Mining Corp. (Philex), one of the oldest and largest copper and gold producers in the Philippines, unveils its Silangan Project in simple ceremonies at its project site in Barangay Timamana, Tubod, Surigao del Norte. Joining the event are (from left): Philex president and chief executive Eulalio Austin, Jr., Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga, Surigao del Norte Provincial Gov. Robert Lyndon Barbers, and Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers. SUMMIT ENCOUNTER. Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Maria Cristina Aldeguer-Roque exchanges warm pleasantries with Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra of Thailand. The women met first during the APEC Summit in November 2024, followed by the World Economic Forum in Davos last January 2025, and more recently at the ASEAN Summit 2025. These continued encounters reflect the growing friendship and mutual respect between

By Riera U. Mallari

I’VE had some really historic sports coverages in my career.

At the top of the list was weightlifting icon Hidilyn Diaz delivering the Philippines’ first gold medal in the Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2021 after nearly a century of heartbreak.

The unsung hero on my end during that momentous moment? My HUAWEI P30 Pro, which I used to capture her winning moment on video and in photos, even when I was some 50 meters away from the Tokyo International Forum stage.

The following year, I witnessed Ernest John Obiena smash his own record to clinch a second straight pole vault gold in the 2022 Hanoi Southeast Asian Games.

My weapon of choice this time, even though I was in the stands, some 70 meters away? A HUAWEI P40 Pro.

I have since handed down that HUAWEI phone to my nephew, who needed a powerful gadget for his college projects and moved on to a “less powerful” smartphone.

So imagine the excitement I felt at the chance of getting my hands on HUAWEI’s latest masterpiece – the HUAWEI Mate X6.

Let’s get down to it.

Design

The first thing that hits you when you unbox the HUAWEI Mate X6 is its astonishing thinness. It is a marvel of engineering at a mere 4.6mm unfolded and 9.9 mm when folded – a level of fresh air in a world of increasingly bulky smartphones. Even though this is a foldable, the Mate X6 is still a relatively lightweight foldable phone, weighing approximately 239 grams (8.43 oz). The size and weight essentially make it just a normal bar phone. The HUAWEI Mate X6 is also one of the toughest, if not the toughest in the market. Engineered for exceptional durability, the MATE X6’s outer display is shielded by Kunlun Glass 2nd Generation, which boosts its resistance to drops and scratches. The inner screen features a carbon fiber plate, enhancing its stiffness and ability to withstand pressure. Adding to its resilience, the phone boasts of an aviation-grade aluminum middle frame for superior strength against impacts.

The vegan leather back feels incredibly premium and offers a firm grip that inspires confidence, unlike slippery glass slabs (The red phone case that covers the backside is super nice for variety). Holding it, whether folded as a surprisingly manageable “slab” phone or unfolded into a mini-tablet, it consistently feels balanced and solid. The new basalt water drop multidimensional hinge is a triumph – it’s incredibly smooth, holds its position at various angles, and the crease on the inner display is almost imperceptible.

The IPX8 water resistance rating also brings a welcome peace of mind, especially with the unpredictable weather in the Philippines.

VERY few things impress me. In recent times, these are at the top of my list. Icelandic singer-songwriter and musician Laufey.

Animated feature film and Oscar winner Flow.

The Purina Petivity Smart Litter Box Monitor that tracks cat health and weight with AI alerts.

The realme GT 7T.

Yup, the realme GT 7T is an amazing smartphone that could put its more expensive competitor flagship rivals to shame.

Alright then. Let’s delve deeper into the reasons why.

Battery Beast

Frankly now, how can you not be wowed by its enormous 7,000mAh battery, paired with 120W fast charging. This is surely a gamechanger for busy folks, who are constantly on the go. Imagine not having to worry about your phone dying in the middle of a hectic day, or being able to juice it up in a flash before heading out.

realme is really emphasizing this “Battery Life Leader” aspect, which is a huge win.

Whether I’m binging a Bosch: Legacy series on Prime Video or listening to my favorite Spotify playlist the entire day while working, having that much power and the ability to recharge from 0-100% in around 40 minutes is incredibly satisfying.

Our IceSense Black unit lasted three freaking days!

Design and Durability

The flat edges and rounded corners give it a modern, almost premium feel, but what really caught my attention, though, is the IP68/IP69 rating for dust and water resistance -- so having it on here is a fantastic addition. It means I can worry less about accidental splashes or dust getting into the phone, which is a common concern in our local setting.

HUAWEI Mate X6: Best foldable in the market

The HUAWEI Mate X6’s camera system is where the magic happens and is the primary reason why it is my preferred choice for any news or sports coverage.

The XMAGE camera system is genuinely flagship-grade that separates itself from the “pretenders” to its throne.

The 50MP main camera with its variable aperture (f/1.4-f/4.0) is a game-changer, allowing for incredible control over depth of field and truly exceptional low-light performance. I’ve been consistently impressed with the detail, dynamic range, and natural color reproduction of photos taken with the main lens.

The Mate X6’s 48 MP telephoto macro camera offers an impressive 4x optical zoom, which can be digitally extended to an astonishing 100x magnification for capturing extremely distant subjects, without significant loss of detail, especially for those sporting action on the field, while the 40MP ultra-wide angle camera is equally competent.

The “Ultra Chroma Camera” with its 1.5 million spectral channels is more than just marketing, it genuinely contributes to accurate and lifelike colors and I can’t wait to take this beast on a spin when I head off to some adventure out of town.

A complement to these is the MultiAngle Hovering Photography feature, enabled by the Mate X6’s innovative hinge. This allows the phone to be partially folded and placed on a surface, acting as its own tripod for stable shots from various angles, facilitating handsfree photography and creative compositions without the need for additional accessories. This combination empowers users to capture stunning images, from sweeping landscapes to intricate macro details, with enhanced flexibility and precision.

As a pro writer/reporter for quite some time now, selfies are the least of my concerns, but the HUAWEI Mate X6 still delivers on this end as taking them with the rear cameras, using the cover screen as a viewfinder, is a fantastic feature.

These features just prove that unlike other foldables, HUAWEI did not sacrifice the quality and performance of its Mate X6 cameras.

Battery and Charging

The 5110mAh battery provides excellent endurance. Even with the large foldable display, I comfortably get through a full day of moderate to heavy use. When it’s time to recharge, the 66W wired SuperCharge is extremely fast, topping up the battery in no time. The 50W wireless SuperCharge is also a convenient addition, allowing for

quick power boosts without fumbling for cables.

Displays

Both the main 7.93-inch foldable OLED, which offers a bigger viewing experience than its competitors, and the 6.45-inch cover screen, are simply stunning to say the least. HUAWEI’s “X-True Display” lives up to its name, offering vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. The 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate on both panels ensures buttery-smooth scrolling and a responsive user experience.

What truly stands out is the brightness as the cover screen’s 2500 nits peak brightness makes it legible even under the harsh Philippine sun, a definite plus for outdoor use. The main

display at 1800 nits, is equally impressive for indoor viewing, whether I’m catching up on the latest episode of the Last of Us on HBO, or editing a sports story when I’m outside the office. The 1440Hz high-frequency PWM dimming is also a thoughtful addition for eye comfort during prolonged usage. The HUAWEI Mate X6’s “Live Multi-Task” feature significantly enhances productivity by allowing users to run up to three applications simultaneously on its expansive unfolded screen. This means you can, for example, participate in a video conference, respond to an email, and reference a document all at once, effectively transforming the foldable phone into a mini-tablet workstation. This capability is particularly useful for business travelers, content creators who need to manage their workflow from shoot to publish, and anyone looking to maximize screen real estate for an immersive and efficient multitasking experience.

Performance and Software

The HUAWEI Mate X6 handles daily tasks with admirable fluidity. Apps open quickly, multitasking is smooth, and I haven’t encountered any significant lag in my general usage. For casual gaming, it performs really well and with the right settings, the same can be said for graphically intensive titles.

Now, for the elephant in the room for us here in the Philippines. What about the software experience without Google Mobile Services (GMS)?

It ain’t a huge problem for me really, as HUAWEI’s AppGallery has grown significantly through the years, and I found a surprising number of essential local apps available directly or through GBox. The other omission is 5G connectivity. But hey, in the Philippines, only 6 percent of the entire country uses this kind of connection, and if truth be told, the 4G speed of HUAWEI phones is comparable to that of a 5G connectivity.

Verdict

HUAWEI has firmly established itself as a leader in folding technology and overall tech innovation. Its relentless investment in R&D and usercentric approach to solving complex engineering challenges has reshaped the possibilities of mobile devices and cemented its leadership and dominance in the evolving smartphone landscape. The result is the HUAWEI Mate X6 -- a magnificent piece of hardware. Its design, durability, and camera system are truly class-leading, making it one of the best, if not the best, foldable phone in the market from a sheer hardware perspective. Its stunning and durable foldable design and an exceptional camera experience are top-notch and if you can adapt to HUAWEI’s software ecosystem, then the Mate X6 is definitely worth considering. So if you’re a professional putting in the hard work day in and day out, or an entrepreneur running a successful business, or a leader/trendsetter, who people look up to as role a model, a HUAWEI Mate X6 in your hands is a validation of your hard work, success and stature -- a badge of excellence worth its weight in gold.

Reliable Camera I tested the shooter of the realme GT 7T during a recent trip to Taiwan and the photos look amazing. See for yourselves. They are largely due to the 50MP primary sensor (Sony IMX 896) with OIS, a good foundation for a reliable camera.

Most of my photos are for social media or capturing everyday moments, and a capable main sensor with OIS usually does the trick for sharp, stable shots. The 8MP ultrawide is a bit of a standard offering, while the 32MP front camera should be more than enough for clear selfies and video calls. Smooth Performance

The MediaTek Dimensity 8400 Max chipset is an interesting choice. While not the absolute top-tier chip, it’s firmly in the upper-mid-range, and the AnTuTu scores are impressive.

For my daily usage, which involves a mix of social media, multitasking between apps, and its use as my go-to audio platform

15) to offer a range of AI-powered features, from the usual AI camera features of Glare Removal, Filters Sketch to Image and Eraser 2.0, all the way to the AI Writer/AI Summary, Theft Detection Lock (Google AI), Google Gemini integration and AI Translator. There is also an AI Gaming Coach, which provides real-time reminders and insights during games (like PUBG), offering information on equipment durability, team status, and zone progression. Verdict the realme GT 7T is a strong contender in the midrange market with its nearflagship offerings. It ticks so many boxes -- a battery that can keep up with my busy life, a fast-charging solution that eliminates battery anxiety, a smooth and bright display and enough power to handle my daily tasks. The added durability is the cherry on top. As it has always done in the past, realme delivers on its “flagship killer” promise with the realme GT 7T designed for users, who prioritize longevity and a smooth, uninterrupted experience. Riera U. Mallari

Cameras

The main 7.93-inch foldable OLED o ers a bigger viewing experience than its competitors.

The HUAWEI Mate X6 is a magni cent piece of hardware

Kunlun Glass 2nd Generation

The HUAWEI Mate X6’s innovative hinge

Acer Announces New Predator Triton 14 AI, Blending Top-Tier Laptop

Gaming Performance and Creative Capabilities

Also announced the new Predator Helios Neo 14

Editor’s Summary

• The slim Predator Triton 14 AI supports an Intel® Core™ Ultra 9 processor 288V and an NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 5070 Laptop GPU, and is the industry’s first laptop[1] to utilize graphene thermal interface materials (TIM) on the CPU to aid in cooling.

• The Predator Triton 14 AI also wraps in a plethora of other premium features ideal for professional creators, including a Calman Verified OLED display with finger-based touch support, a Corning Gorilla Glass touchpad with haptics and pen support, and more.

• The Predator Helios Neo 14 AI laptop supports up to an Intel Core Ultra 9 processor 285H, up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Laptop GPU and a stunning 2.8K OLED display with 0.2 ms response time, making it a solid choice for gamers on-the-go.

• The Predator Orion 3000 debuts a new chassis design and delivers smooth gameplay and support for demanding applications, powered by an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor 265F and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 GPU.

TAIPEI—Acer today announced powerful new 14-inch Predator gaming laptops designed for gamers and creative professionals. With a set of high-performance components, including the latest Intel® Core™ Ultra (Series 2) processors and NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 50 Series Laptop GPUs, both devices offer a strong mix of power, portability and innovative features coveted by gamers, content creators, as well as on-the-go creative professionals and students. Powered by NVIDIA Blackwell, GeForce RTX™ 50 Series Laptop GPUs bring game-changing capabilities to gamers and creators. Equipped

with a massive level of AI horsepower, the RTX 50 Series enables new experiences and nextlevel graphics fidelity. Multiply performance with NVIDIA DLSS 4, generate images at unprecedented speed, and unleash creativity with NVIDIA Studio. Users can effortlessly level

up their gaming performance and creative capabilities on the Predator laptops with support from the latest Intel Core Ultra (Series 2) processors that power next-gen AI gameplay and scale up both performance and efficiency. Both laptops are a new class of Windows PCs that are designed for AI-intensive processes like real-time translations and image generation. Plus, access to NVIDIA NIM Microservices – state-of-the-art AI models that let enthusiasts and developers build AI assistants, agents, and workflows with peak performance on NIM-ready AI systems. The newly refreshed Predator Orion 3000 gaming desktop is also enhanced with the latest silicon from Intel and NVIDIA, providing avid gamers with the edge they need to max out the graphics on the latest AAA titles and content creators with the necessary performance for editing or streaming.

Acer Gadget Unveils New AI-Powered Wearables at COMPUTEX 2025

Debuts the company’s first AI translation earbuds and smart ring for AI-enhanced communication and wellness tracking; Also showcases the latest e-mobility products

Editor’s Summary:

• Acer Gadget introduces the Acer FreeSense Ring, a lightweight titanium smart ring that combines a stylish design with 24/7 biometric tracking and AI-driven wellness insights.

• The new Acer AI TransBuds enable real-time, two-way voice translation across 15 major languages, allowing seamless multilingual communication while requiring only one user to wear the device.

• Acer Gadget displays its expanded smart mobility portfolio with new e-scooters and e-bikes, including the Predator Storm and Thunder eScooter Series, featuring app-based monitoring and smart safety features.

TAIPEI — Acer Gadget, a subsidiary of Acer Inc., unveiled two of its latest innovations at COMPUTEX 2025 — Acer FreeSense Ring and Acer AI TransBuds. These new products reflect the company’s growing expansion into AI-powered wearables and real-time communication tools. Acer Gadget will also display its latest e-mobility solutions — including e-scooters, e-bikes, and accessories — highlighting a broad innovation strategy that spans wellness, connectivity, and mobility.

Acer FreeSense Ring: Sleek Form and AI-Enhanced Wellness Insights On-the-Go

The Acer FreeSense Ring blends a sophisticated design with advanced biometric sensing to support everyday health

monitoring. Crafted from ultra-lightweight titanium alloy, the ring tracks vital physiological metrics such as heart rate, heart rate variability, blood oxygen levels, and sleep quality.

The data points are analyzed through a companion mobile app, which generates personalized wellness insights and provides suggestions. With features such as sleep stage analysis and continuous tracking, the Acer FreeSense Ring helps encourage proactive health management and lifestyle awareness. Users also have full access to all health data without additional subscription fees, making the FreeSense ring a practical and reliable daily wellness companion.

Acer AI TransBuds: Real-Time AI Translation for Seamless Communication

The Acer AI TransBuds are lightweight and compact earbuds designed to simplify multilingual communication. By connecting to a smartphone or tablet via a plug-in receiver, the device activates real-time, two-way voice translation powered by AIbased speech recognition and semantic analysis.

Notably, only one person needs to wear the earbuds to carry out effective translation, making it ideal for casual conversations, business meetings, livestreams, or online study sessions. The earbuds also support live captioning and transcription, helping users follow conversations in real time and review them later on. The system currently supports 15 major languages spoken across Asia, the Americas, and Europe. Acer eMobility: Expanding Smart Urban and Outdoor Mobility

Acer Gadget is also showcasing its latest e-scooters and e-bikes, designed for both urban commuting and outdoor recreation. These include the Acer eScooter Series 4 Select, Series 5 Select, Predator ES Storm, and Predator ES Thunder, each equipped with 400 W to 500 W motors, adaptive brake and suspension systems. Riders can seamlessly monitor performance and manage security settings via the Acer eMobility App. Also on display is the Predator eRanger, a fattire e-bike first introduced at the Taipei Cycle Show 2025 earlier this year, demonstrating Acer Gadget’s commitment to developing more smart and versatile mobility solutions.

To explore Acer Gadget’s product lineup, visit the Acer showcase at Booth M0104, 4F, Hall 1 at the Nangang Exhibition Center during COMPUTEX 2025.

WHERE THE VIBES BEGIN: JBL ANNOUNCES THE LATEST JBL PARTY SPEAKERS AND PORTABLES

SOUND changes everything. Whether it’s the pulse of your favorite track or the subtle drop in a podcast, the right audio setup doesn’t just play—it transforms. And no one knows this better than JBL. With the much-awaited launch of their latest party speakers and portable audio essentials, JBL is making it easier to turn any moment into a full-sensory experience. In true JBL fashion, the brand turned up the volume with the JBL Experience—an all-out celebration of sound, style, and self-expression. Guests were welcomed into an immersive space where audio reigned supreme. As the music kicked in, the vibe shifted from chill to electric with surprise appearances from crowd favorites Michael Sager and Jackie Gonzaga, plus a high-energy genre battle from the DJs that had everyone on their feet.

Every corner of the JBL Experience was built to show off the punch and power of their latest releases. Whether you were feeling the ground shake with the PartyBox lineup or jamming out on-the-go with JBL’s newest portables, one thing was crystal clear: this isn’t just sound—it’s a whole mood, and it’s coming with you.

JBL PartyBox 520

Bigger, bolder, and louder. JBL PartyBox 520 is the newest speaker in the PartyBox lineup, and the most powerful batterypowered speaker in the series. Built for large gatherings, the speaker’s IPX4 splashproof design and rugged telescopic handle, combined with wider, sturdier wheels, make it easy to take the party anywhere. JBL PartyBox 520 offers up to 15 hours of playtime on a single charge, and with replaceable batteries and fast-charging capabilities, the music can keep going without interruptions. JBL’s proprietary technology AI Sound Boost, analyses the music signal in real time to optimize and push the driver to its maximum capability, ultimately creating a more powerful, less distorted sound. Plus, Auracast™ allows easy pairing with other Auracast™-enabled JBL speakers, creating a fully connected sound system to fill every corner of the venue. JBL PartyBox Encore 2 and PartyBox Encore Essential 2 JBL PartyBox Encore 2 and JBL PartyBox Encore Essential 2 deliver the same high-quality sound in compact, easily portable designs. Both models feature Bluetooth 5.4 with LE Audio for superior streaming quality and are equipped with redesigned ergonomic handles for enhanced portability. The PartyBox Encore 2 will transform any space into a musical playground as

it comes equipped with wireless microphones for an interactive karaoke experience, while the PartyBox Encore Essential 2 will brighten any gathering with its dynamic lightshow. With up to a 15-hour battery life and a quick 10-minute charge that delivers an additional 80 minutes of playback, these models ensure the party can continue on the go. Flip 7

Whether you are chilling in the garden or meeting up with friends at the park, the new Flip 7 has been redesigned with an interchangeable finger loop and carabiner hook making it easier to take your music anywhere. Equipped with AI Sound Boost for powerful bass without distortion and an upgraded tweeter with a dome design, Flip 7 offers clear and crisp sounds at higher volumes, no matter the setting. Out and about? The new IP68 waterproof and dustproof rating makes it easier to carry your tunes with you, without worrying about spills or drops. Other new features include increased battery life for up to 16 hours with Playtime Boost, the latest Bluetooth® 5.4 capabilities for improved wireless connectivity, and AuracastTM pairing with other JBL Auracast TM enabled speakers.

Charge 6

The Charge 6, now equipped with a detachable and versatile handle strap, has evolved to make high-quality audio more accessible than ever. With the introduction of AI Sound Boost and an upgraded woofer for deeper bass, prepare to feel the beat across any room. The introduction of AuracastTM allows friends to sync their compatible speakers for even more sound. Keep the party going for longer with up to 28 hours of battery

when using Playtime Boost. Remaining true to the name, the speaker not only

JBL Horizon 3

The all-new JBL Horizon 3 is created to improve sleep cycles for even the most restless. It combines thoughtful innovation with a sleek, low-profile design to create the perfect ambiance for any bedroom. At its core, the Horizon 3 delivers JBL’s signature stereo sound thanks to its two 1.5” full-range transducers, which is enhanced by dual passive radiators to fill the room with deep, rich audio. With multi-speaker connectivity through Auracast and Bluetooth 5.3 technology, it ensures seamless connectivity with JBL and Harman Auracast-enabled devices throughout the home. Whether streaming a playlist via Bluetooth or tuning into an FM station, the Horizon 3 ensures every moment is accompanied by crystal-clear sound. More than just an alarm clock, the JBL Horizon 3 integrates seamlessly into schedules, helping support rest and relaxation and simplifying everyday routines. Featuring intuitive ambient lighting and relaxing sounds like ocean waves, wake up to the sunrise alarm to help regulate circadian rhythms and unwind to nature inspired sounds before going to sleep. Now compatible with the JBL One App, the experience is further elevated as adjustments to alarm settings, EQ and lighting, can be made directly in the app. FM radio, dual alarms and a large, easy-touse control knob make Horizon 3 both personal and functional. Availability and Pricing

Charge 6: Now available, priced at P10,999. Colour options include Black, Blue, Funky Black, Pink, Purple, Red, Sand, Squad, and White. Flip 7: Now available, priced at P7,999. Colour options include Black, Blue, Funky Black, Pink, Purple, Red, Sand, Squad, and White. PartyBox Encore 2: Now available, priced at P24,999. PartyBox 520: Priced at P42,999. PartyBox Encore Essential 2: Priced at P18,999. Horizon 3: Priced

TECH

Navigate a new school year with these essential tech tools

By Patricia Taculao-Deligero

IN today’s fast-paced world, technology is no longer just a luxury. It has become a constant, evolving presence in our daily lives. From how we communicate and connect to how we access information and entertain ourselves, digital tools have become indispensable. This pervasive influence extends profoundly into education, particularly here in the Philippines, where the learning is rapidly transforming. A well-equipped student, parent, or teacher often relies on technology to navigate the academic year.

Other than the Internet, which has become an accessible resource for different educational purposes, a modern student or instructor has likewise embraced the potential of various smart gadgets in accomplishing various tasks.

The back-to-school season in the Philippines is more than buying new uniforms and notebooks. It’s increasingly about securing the right technological companions to make learning more engaging and effective while streamlining the entire educational experience.

Empowering a holistic educational experience

First and foremost, a reliable personal computer is a nonnegotiable. Whether it’s a lightweight laptop or a versatile tablet, these devices serve as the central hub for learning. Students can use them for everything from conducting research

for reports, typing essays, and creating presentations to accessing online learning platforms and communicating with classmates and teachers. The portability of these devices means learning isn’t confined to a classroom or study desk; it can happen anywhere, anytime. For instance, a student commuting on public transportation can use their tablet to review notes, or a college student can work on a group project remotely with their laptop. The benefits extend to better organization, as digital note-taking apps and cloud storage keep all academic materials neatly categorized and accessible, eliminating the risk of lost papers. When considering affordability, many brands now offer powerful yet budget-friendly options, with flexible payment plans available to make these essential tools more accessible to Filipino families. This emphasis on functionality and value ensures that even with a limited budget, students can still acquire a device that meets their academic demands.

Beyond core academics, a good computer opens doors to innovative learning. Interactive e-books, educational software, and even gamified learning experiences can make otherwise dry subjects

come alive, boosting engagement and making learning more enjoyable. Look for a balance of processing power to handle various

applications, sufficient storage for files, and a decent battery life to last through long study sessions.

Next on the list is a reliable smartphone. While sometimes viewed as a distraction, a smartphone, when used responsibly, is an incredibly powerful educational tool. Its primary utility lies in instant communication. Students can quickly connect with teachers for clarification, collaborate with classmates on group projects, and receive important school announcements. The camera on a smartphone is also a game-changer; it can be used to quickly capture lecture notes, diagrams on whiteboards, or even document experiments. Many educational apps are designed for mobile use, offering quick access to dictionaries, calculators, language learning tools, and even augmented reality experiences that can bring textbooks to life. Furthermore, smartphones are excellent for staying organized. Digital calendars, reminder apps, and note-taking applications can help students manage their schedules, track assignments, and keep important information at their fingertips. The accessibility of smartphones also means many students already own one, making it a familiar and readily available tool. For those looking to purchase, prioritize good battery life, a clear display for reading and viewing content, and a camera with decent resolution. The trendiness factor also comes into play here, as students often prefer devices that are aesthetically pleasing and align with

current trends, but many budgetfriendly options now offer stylish designs and robust features, proving that essential tech doesn’t have to be expensive. Another valuable addition to a student’s arsenal is a portable storage device. In an era of digital documents and large media files for presentations, a flash drive or a small external hard drive becomes invaluable. It allows students to easily transfer files between different computers, back up important schoolwork, and ensure that their projects are always accessible, even without an internet connection. This

simple yet effective gadget prevents the anxiety of lost work and offers a sense of security in the digital age. They are generally very affordable and come in various storage capacities, allowing students to choose based on their individual needs.

rumallari@thestandard.com.ph

rieramallari@yahoo.com

For students who prefer to handwrite notes or engage in digital art, a digital pen or paired

stylus paired with a compatible tablet can revolutionize their note-taking experience. This innovative gadget allows for the natural flow of handwriting directly onto a digital screen, offering the best of both worlds – the tactile feel of writing and the organizational benefits of digital files. Students can annotate PDFs, sketch diagrams, brainstorm ideas, and even create digital artwork for school projects easily. The ability to erase, move, and resize notes without messy cross-outs makes studying more efficient and enjoyable. While some might consider this a niche item, its benefits for visual learners and those in design-related fields are undeniable. The affordability of these accessories has also improved, with many third-party options offering great performance at a fraction of the cost of proprietary alternatives.

Finally, a good pair of noisecancelling headphones or earphones

can significantly improve a student’s focus, especially in busy household environments or crowded study spaces. These gadgets allow students to immerse themselves in online lectures, listen to educational podcasts, or concentrate on their readings without external distractions. They also come in handy for online group discussions or virtual classes, ensuring clear audio and effective communication. From sleek in-ear designs to comfortable over-ear models, several options are available across different price points, making them an accessible tool for enhancing concentration and learning.

As the back-to-school season commences in the Philippines, embracing technology is no longer an option but a necessity. By investing in these essential items, Filipino students can navigate the demands of modern education with greater efficiency, creativity, and engagement, paving the way for a brighter academic future. The key is to choose wisely, prioritizing functionality and affordability, to ensure that these technological aids truly enhance, rather than hinder, the

Redmi Buds 6 Lite

HONOR X9c

Budget gaming, no compromise: ASUS Gaming V16 is thin, light, and battle-ready

By Peter Paul Duran

IN A market packed with flashy specs and sky-high price tags, the ASUS Gaming V16 enters the scene with a quieter kind of confidence.

It’s thin, light, and ready to play—all without blowing a hole in your wallet. But at ₱74,995, does it deliver more than just the basics?

Let’s break it down like you’re deciding between this and that annual graphics card upgrade. Thin, Light, and Unassuming—In a Good Way

First impressions matter, and the V16 keeps it clean. The Indie Black finish is stealthy and minimalist—no RGB carnival here. At just 1.80 cm thin and 1.95 kg, it’s one of the lightest gaming laptops in its class. It fits in most backpacks, doesn’t scream “gamer” in a coffee shop, and still brings the fire when you launch your favorite titles.

The Turbo Blue backlit keyboard adds just the right flair—enough to let you game into the night without drawing side-eyes.

Solid Internals, Smooth Gameplay

Under the hood, the ASUS Gaming V16 carries an Intel Core i5-210H processor paired with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050. It’s a combo that gives you enough muscle to push through most current AAA titles at medium to high settings—Genshin Impact, the V16’s official game partner, runs buttery smooth on default high settings, with room to tweak.

You also get 16GB of DDR4 RAM, which is plenty for multitasking, plus a 512GB SSD that boots fast and loads games without dragging its feet.

Want more options?

ASUS also offers an X16 variant with a 13th Gen Intel Core i5 and up to an RTX 30-Series GPU for those seeking a bit more firepower.

Display That Pulls You In

The 16-inch Full HD IPS panel features a 16:10 aspect ratio—providing extra vertical space for work or wide-angle views for gaming—and a 144Hz refresh rate for smoother transitions and reduced ghosting.

Keeps Cool Under Pressure

ASUS’s IceCool thermal technology, featuring dual fans and heat pipes, keeps thermals in check even under long gaming sessions. During real-world use, the fans did their job quietly, and the chassis remained cool to the touch—no sweaty palms here. Extra Goodies for Early Buyers

The ASUS Gaming laptops have an ASUS backpack, and a 3-month PC Game Pass. Not to mention, the laptop is covered by ASUS’s 2-Year International Warranty plus 1-Year Accidental Damage Protection, a welcome inclusion in this price segment.

Until June 15, 2024, purchases of the V16 and X16 from ASUS or ROG stores come bundled with an exclusive Genshin Impact mousepad. Final Verdict

The ASUS Gaming V16 doesn’t try to be something it’s not—and that’s what makes it great. It delivers game-ready performance in a thin and light package, making it a strong option for students, casual gamers, and anyone stepping into the PC gaming world. Practical, portable, and powerful enough for the price—it hits the sweet spot.

Head to any ASUS or ROG store to try the ASUS Gaming laptops with all Genshin Impact characters unlocked and maxed-out!

To learn more, visit:

Product Page:https://ph.asus.click/ gamingv162025

Where to Buy: https://ph.asus.click/ wheretobuy2025

Warranty Information: https://ph.asus.click/ servicepackage2025

Management Solutions

SYNOLOGY is showcasing its latest lineup of innovations at COMPUTEX 2025, presenting a comprehensive solution portfolio spanning enterprise storage, data protection, video surveillance, on-premise productivity suite, and personal private cloud.

“At Synology, our goal has always been to build a data management ecosystem our customers can trust,” said Philip Wong, Chairman and CEO of Synology. “We design our solutions to offer not only unparalleled ease of use, but also industry-leading security, reliability, and data privacy, empowering both organizations and individuals to manage their data with confidence.”

Active-active NVMe all-flash storage: PAS7700

PAS7700 is Synology’s new flagship enterprise storage designed for mission-critical workloads. It features a dual-controller, active-active architecture to ensure non-disruptive service continuity. With security at its core and built-in 3-2-1-1 data replication capabilities, it safeguards data integrity at every level.

Engineered for exceptional performance and unmatched cost efficiency, the PAS7700 leverages an end-to-end NVMe design to deliver up to 2 million IOPS and sub-millisecond latency—offering up to 3x the performance of existing Synology models.

New ActiveProtect lineup: DP7200

Following the successful launch of ActiveProtect, Synology is expanding its data protection lineup with the introduction of DP7200. This new appliance can be deployed as a standalone backup server at branch locations or as a CMS host at headquarters. It delivers unified data protection for workloads across the entire organization, while built-in immutability and

network isolation features safeguard against cyber threats—ensuring that clean, recoverable copies are always available when needed.

Synology’s new cloud VMS: C2 Surveillance Building on Synology’s comprehensive video surveillance ecosystem covering IP cameras, NVRs, AI analytics, and cloud backup, Synology introduced C2 Surveillance—a cloud based video management system designed for NVR-less deployment and seamless multi site scalability.

C2 Surveillance is built for rapid deployment and easy scalability. With centralized cloud management, Windows AD integration, and role-based permission delegation, it is an ideal solution for distributed multisite large deployments. It also enables continuous local edge recording and supports offline failover mode to ensure uninterrupted monitoring. Productivity additions: ChatPlus and Synology Meet

Synology is expanding its productivity offerings with the introduction of ChatPlus and Synology Meet. ChatPlus enables secure team communication with granular permission settings and advanced channel management, while Synology Meet provides enterprise grade video conferencing. Both applications run on Synology’s private cloud infrastructure, ensuring full data ownership, management, and privacy.

BeeStation Plus: A private cloud designed for families

BeeStation Plus is a private cloud solution designed for families, offering automatic backup of iCloud Photo Libraries and integration with Plex Media Server for seamless video streaming. It also supports snapshot-based local recovery and offsite cloud backup through BeeProtect, safeguarding cherished family data and memories.

BeeStation Plus will also support smart home surveillance when paired with the Synology CC400W camera. With a new mobile application, it offers intelligent detection of human presence, pet activity, ambient sounds, and tampering—delivering instant alerts to keep users informed of everyday events.

Visitors can also explore Synology’s latest 25 Series lineup, advanced cloud solutions, and AI-driven innovations at Synology’s booth at COMPUTEX 2025.

To learn more, please visit: https://event.synology. com/synology-computex-2025/

How technology drives educational progress in the PH

By Patricia Taculao-Deligero

ATRADITIONAL Philippine classroom, once characterized by rows of wooden desks and blackboards, has remarkably adapted to the modern learner. For generations, education revolved around textbooks, lectures, and rote memorization.

While these methods laid a foundation, the modern world demands a different approach that fosters critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration. Today, Filipino classrooms are embracing a digital revolution, integrating various technology tools that are changing how students learn and how effectively they learn.

This shift isn’t merely about putting gadgets in the hands of students; it’s about strategically using these tools to create dynamic, engaging, and personalized learning experiences. The journey has been gradual, but the pace has accelerated, especially with recent global events highlighting the critical need for flexible and technology-driven education.

One of the most significant impacts of technology in the classroom is its ability to bridge geographical gaps and increase access to information. In a country like the Philippines, with its many islands and diverse communities, getting quality educational resources to every student has always been challenging. The internet has shattered these barriers, putting a vast ocean of knowledge at the fingertips of both teachers and students. Digital libraries, educational websites, and online databases provide a wealth of information that exceeds the confines of a single textbook. This accessibility is especially vital for students in remote areas, allowing them to participate in virtual classes and access materials that might otherwise be unavailable.

Moreover, the shift to using technological tools in the classroom has fostered a sense of sustainability among learners due to the ability to lessen their carbon footprint and environmental waste.

Beyond just information access, technology tools are making learning more interactive and engaging. Gone are the days when students were passive receivers of knowledge. Today, classrooms are alive with activity, thanks to innovative digital platforms. For instance, many schools use interactive learning software with educational applications, simulations, and games. These tools transform complex concepts into exciting challenges, holding students’ attention and making learning feel less like a chore and more like an adventure. It allows students to learn about the human body through an animated simulation or explore historical events through an interactive timeline, among many other experiences, to boost their learning journey.

Another key player in the modern Filipino classroom is the learning management system (LMS). These online platforms act as a central hub for all educational activities. Teachers can easily distribute assignments, share course materials, and track student progress in a streamlined and organized manner. Students, in turn, can access lectures, submit homework, and participate in discussions from anywhere, at any time. This flexibility

is a game-changer, especially for blended learning approaches that combine traditional face-to-face instruction with online modules. An LMS fosters better communication between teachers and students, encourages independent learning, and provides valuable data insights into student performance, allowing educators to tailor their teaching strategies more effectively.

Video tools have also become indispensable in today’s classrooms. Beyond simple video calls for online learning, these tools offer features like screen sharing and interactive whiteboards, making virtual collaboration and real-time feedback possible. Teachers can record lectures for students to review at their own pace, create engaging video presentations, or even conduct virtual field trips to places far and wide. It means a more visual and auditory learning experience for students, catering to different learning styles and making abstract ideas more tangible. In the meantime, digital quizzing and assessment tools are transforming the process of assessing student understanding and providing immediate feedback. Instead of lengthy, paper-based exams, teachers can create interactive quizzes and polls that provide instant results. This saves time for grading and allows teachers to quickly identify areas where students might be struggling and offer timely support. These tools often incorporate gamified elements, making assessments less daunting and more enjoyable for students.

Furthermore, content creation platforms empower teachers and students to become creators, not just consumers, of information. From designing visually appealing presentations to creating educational videos or even digital storybooks, these platforms unlock a world of creative possibilities. This encourages students to think critically, express their understanding in diverse ways, and develop valuable digital literacy skills that are essential in today’s world. Many students and educators have taken to various content creation platforms to share their experiences and explore new ways to connect with peers or share relevant information.

What truly makes these technology tools effective in the classroom isn’t just their features, but how they contribute to a more personalized and inclusive learning environment. Every student learns differently, and technology allows greater flexibility to accommodate these diverse needs. Teachers can offer differentiated instruction, providing resources and activities that cater to individual learning paces and styles. For students with special needs, assistive technologies like screen readers or speech recognition software ensure that they have equal access to learning materials and can participate fully in classroom activities.

HONOR Philippines Vice President Stephen Cheng, with the PHINMA Foundation’s Executive Director Ron Reyes alongside with the 25 HONOR Pad X9a beneficiaries from different schools.

Members of the Xiaomi team, led by Xiaomi Philippines Head of Marketing Tomi Adrias and Louise So, Xiaomi Philippines Project Manager, are shown at a Batangas public school’s Xiaomi Powered Room, which includes Xiaomi TVs, Smart Fans, Redmi Soundbars, and more.

#YourPadToSuccess

Level up productivity with the OPPO Pad SE

THESE days, it’s easy to find yourself glued to a screen—hustling to earn, chasing goals, and doing everything you can to make your dreams become a reality, which can lead to unnecessary eye strain that can affect your health.

That’s where the OPPO Pad SE comes in—designed to be #YourPadToSuccess, it supports your drive without compromising your well-being. Whether you’re working, learning, or creating, it’s built to keep up with your hustle and protect your eyes. Protect your eyes and #BingeAllDayAndNight Extended hours on screens often result in eye strain, fatigue, and sleepless nights.

The OPPO Pad SE solves that with its Immersive Eye-Care Display—designed to prioritize your comfort without compromising productivity.

The TÜV Rheinland-certified AntiReflective Matte Display cuts up to 97% of glare, so there are fewer distractions, clearer content, and a paper-like viewing experience that’s easier on your eyes as you work on reports, review slides, or wind down with an e-book or your favorite show.

Its 11-inch Eye-Care LCD display comes with Low Blue Light and FlickerFree certification, making it ideal for prolonged work or study sessions as it creates a viewing environment that keeps you engaged and comfortable. Fuel your flow and #WatchTilYouDrop There’s nothing that kills productivity

faster than a dying battery. Whether you’re on the move or simply bingewatching, your device shouldn’t be the thing holding you back and the OPPO Pad SE understands that.

Equipped with a powerful 9340mAh battery, the OPPO Pad SE can deliver up to 11 hours of nonstop video or 80 hours of music, giving you the freedom to focus on what matters without constantly searching for a power outlet.

And when it’s time to refuel, its 33W SUPERVOOC™ fast charging ensures that you’re back and running again in no time.

The OPPO Pad SE comes in Twilight Blue and Starlight White colorways. Secure #YourPadToSuccess—the OPPO Pad SE

Experience a smoother daily grind allday without compromising your health and comfort with the OPPO Pad SE in elegant Twilight Blue and Starlight White.

The OPPO Pad SE is now available on OPPO’s official Shopee e-commerce platform with a starting price of P9,999.

To know more about the OPPO Pad SE, you may visit OPPO Philippines’ official website at www.oppo.com/ph and official Facebook and TikTok pages.

the heat,...

Where to find it: Major electronics retailers, camera shops, and online.

4. Portable Bluetooth Speaker: Your Summer Soundtrack

What’s a summer getaway without your favorite tunes? A portable Bluetooth speaker can elevate any gathering, whether it’s a chill evening by the beach or a lively poolside party.

Why you need it: Look for speakers with good sound quality, long battery life, and crucially, a high IPX rating (IP67 or higher) for water and dust resistance. This ensures it can withstand splashes, sand, and even accidental drops into the pool.

Where to find it: Electronics stores, gadget shops, and online. Brands like JBL, Sony, and Ultimate Ears are popular choices.

5. Wireless Earbuds/Headphones: Personal Escape from the Heat (and Noise)

Sometimes, you just need to zone out, whether it’s on a long bus ride to a distant province or escaping the noise of a crowded resort.

Why you need them: Wireless earbuds offer ultimate portability and convenience for listening to music, podcasts, or audiobooks. For those who need complete immersion, noisecanceling headphones are perfect for blocking out distractions, allowing you to relax or even catch up on some work if you’re a student on a “working vacation.”

Where to find them: Widely available at all electronics and gadget stores.

6. Smart Water Bottle / Hydration Reminder App: Stay Hydrated!

The intense heat can lead to dehydration faster than you think. While not strictly a gadget, the tech that helps you stay hydrated is invaluable.

Why you need it: Smart water bottles (like HidrateSpark PRO) track your water intake and glow to remind you to drink. Alternatively, simple hydration reminder apps on your smartphone can do the trick by sending regular notifications. This is essential for maintaining energy levels and preventing heatstroke.

Where to find it: Smart water bottles can be found in some specialty gadget stores or online. Hydration apps are readily available on your smartphone’s app store.

7. Compact Air Cooler / Mini-Fridge (for Staycations): Home Comforts

If your summer plans involve more staycations or just surviving the heat at home, these gadgets are lifesavers.

Portable Air Cooler: These aren’t as powerful as full air conditioners but offer a refreshing localized breeze and can cool down small rooms more effectively than a regular fan, especially when using ice water.

Mini Portable Fridge: Perfect for keeping your drinks, snacks, and even skincare products cool and refreshing right by your side. No need to trek to the main refrigerator! Where to find it: Appliance stores (Anson’s, Abenson), department stores, and online marketplaces.

Philippine summer is a season of vibrant experiences. With these essential tech gadgets in your arsenal, you’re not just surviving the heat; you’re fully equipped to maximize your fun, stay comfortable, and capture every unforgettable moment that the sunny season brings. Enjoy your the final stretch of summer, kabayan!

Life Moves Fast—Get That Loan Even Faster with Maya!

LIFE comes at you fast—your next big move, a golden opportunity, or an unexpected expense. One day, you’re just manifesting that dream gadget, and the next, you need it ASAP. Your fave artist drops concert tickets, your laptop crashes before a big pitch, or an emergency pops up. When time is money, you can’t afford to wait.

Good thing Maya’s got your back. Now, more upgraded Maya users can borrow instantly with Maya Easy Credit and Maya Personal Loan—no long lines, no endless paperwork, just straight-up speed. A few taps in the Maya app, and boom— funds are in your Maya Wallet, ready to fuel your every move.

Borrow on Your Terms—Fast, Flexible, and All-in-one app

Unlike typical banks, Maya keeps things fast, digital, and stress-free. No waiting weeks for approval. No jumping through hoops. Just instant access to cash—whether it’s for everyday needs or life’s biggest moments.

• For emergencies and everyday essentials: Maya Easy Credit gives you a revolving credit line of up to ₱30,000, so you can borrow instantly for urgent expenses like grocery runs, bills, or unexpected costs. Repay flexibly and borrow again whenever needed.

• For big life moves: Maya Personal Loan lets you borrow up to ₱250,000, payable in up to 24 months—perfect for major purchases, home upgrades, business investments, or even that muchneeded dream vacation.

And because Maya is an all-in-one digital bank app, using your borrowed funds is just as easy. Use it to pay with your Maya Card, scan to pay at thousands of merchants, settle bills in-app, or transfer money in seconds—giving you ultimate flexibility, anytime, anywhere. How to Apply? Easy.

Getting started is simple—just open the Maya app and go to Credit or Loans to check if you’re eligible. Need extra funds on demand? Apply for and activate Maya Easy Credit in a few taps and borrow instantly. Eyeing a bigger loan? Apply for a Maya Personal Loan, enter your desired amount, and complete your application in minutes. Once approved, your funds land straight in your Maya Wallet—ready for payments, transfers, or cash withdrawals. When life moves fast, Maya moves faster. Tap, borrow, and go—only with the #1 Digital Bank in the Philippines Apply today via the Maya app. Visit maya.ph and mayabank.ph, and follow @mayaiseverything on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok for updates.

Don’t Blink: These Netflix Releases Will Break the Internet

From epic comebacks to can’t-miss cliffhangers—stream today’s best shows with PLDT Home Fiber Netflix 1599

NETFLIX is dropping epic finales, wild comebacks, and can’t-miss cliffhangers that’ll have your heart racing and your finger glued to “Next Episode.” With PLDT Home Fiber Netflix Plan 1599, your screen stays sharp, your speed stays fast, and the streaming never slows. You don’t just watch — you immerse yourself in your favorite shows, uninterrupted. These are the five titles on Netflix making noise— here’s why.

1. Stranger Things Season 5: The Final Chapter Begins The upside-down is about to flip for good. After years of emotional goodbyes, nosebleeds, and ‘80s synths, Stranger Things gears up for its final season. Eleven and the gang face their biggest threat yet—Vecna isn’t done, and the fate of Hawkins hangs in the balance. Fan theories are swirling: Will we lose a core character? Will Max wake up? And is there more to Hopper’s past than we know? All we’re saying is—prepare to have your heart broken and your jaw on the floor.

2. You Season 5: Joe’s Reckoning? Joe Goldberg has always justified his obsessions—until now. After Season 4’s twisty shift into the dark side of London’s high society, You Season 5 returns Joe to his roots… and to his most dangerous self yet. Now back in New York where his killing spree began, questions linger: Will Joe finally be exposed? Could Love Quinn somehow return? And is justice—or something darker—catching up? It’s the final season for this tale of dark, murderous obsession. We may have been rooting for Joe not to get caught for the past four seasons — but do you really think he deserves a happy ending?

3. Alice in Borderland Season 3: No More Games The border between life and illusion is about to shatter. The deadly games in Tokyo’s alternate dimension left viewers gasping, especially with that Joker card tease in the Season 2 finale. In Season 3, Arisu and Usagi dive deeper into the truth of the Borderland—where the line between game master and player begins to blur.

Expect higher stakes, mind-warping reveals, and moral choices that cut deeper than a laser. 4. Wednesday Season 2: Goth, Guts, and Growing Pains New mysteries, new monsters, and the same deadpan stare. Wednesday was a cultural phenomenon, and now she’s back — with her family in tow. Season 2 teases darker family secrets, a possible new love triangle (hello, Enid vs. Xavier vs. ???), and the reappearance of a fan-favorite Addams. But don’t expect any sappy turns; Wednesday Addams is as sharp as ever—and her dance card is full of danger. Snap twice. She’s ready. 5. Squid Game Season 3: Revolution or Repeat? Red light, green light… again? The world’s deadliest competition isn’t over. Seong Gi-hun returns, now a man with a mission— fueled by revenge and haunted by guilt.

Xiaomi Introduces Redmi A5: Powerful Camera and Performance Upgrades Wrapped in a New Design

XIAOMI Corporation (“Xiaomi” or the “Group”; stock code:1810), a consumer electronics and smart manufacturing company with smartphones and smart hardware connected by an Internet of Things (“IoT”) platform at its core, has unveiled Redmi A5, seamlessly blending an extensive array of generous upgrades that make advanced smartphone features accessible to a broader audience. With a refreshed design, a significantly improved camera, and a larger display, Redmi A5 transforms the essentials into an experience that feels effortlessly refined, crafted for those who value both practicality and aesthetics in their everyday smartphone.

Design and Display

Redmi A5 introduces a sleek new design, elevating its visual appeal with a stylish flat frame and an enhanced camera deco with an all-new metallic-feel surround. This smartphone comes in sophisticated color options, each evoking a distinct sense of character. Midnight Black¹ and Sandy Gold¹ feature a matte, smudge-resistant finish that offers a timeless, understated elegance. Lake Green¹ and Ocean Blue¹ take inspiration from nature, their veined patterns reminiscent of ripples on a tranquil body of water. With its slim 8.26mm body², Redmi A5 balances modern elegance with a comfortable grip.

Despite its slim profile, Redmi A5 expands possibilities with an up to 120Hz large 6.88-inch display,³ offering a truly immersive experience whether watching videos, browsing, or reading. Even when hands are damp, wet touch technology helps to maintain responsiveness, further improving usability. Meanwhile, for those longer sessions, TÜV Rheinland-certified eye protection and DC dimming help to minimize strain, making extended screen time easier on the eyes.

Camera and Performance Upgrades

Complementing the display, Redmi A5 introduces a substantial leap in camera capabilities through its powerful 32MP AI dual camera, allowing users to capture moments with remarkable clarity. With a larger sensor that takes in 18% more light than the previous generation, night photography stands out with improved detail, delivering brighter, clearer shots in low-light settings. The camera keeps photos crisp and vivid even when confronted with challenging backlit settings. Turning to the front, the upgraded 8MP selfie camera delivers natural-looking portraits with fresh detail. At the same time, the soft-light ring, achieved from the display’s illumination, allows users to take well-lit selfies even in dim environments. Thanks to these thoughtful innovations, Redmi A5 makes capturing and preserving memories effortless, whether a scenic view or a fleeting moment.

Building on its impressive camera upgrades, Redmi A5 has been designed to seamlessly fit into your fast-paced lifestyle, offering features for reliability and convenience at every turn. Powered by the octacore UNISOC T7250 processor and supported by up to 8GB of RAM through memory extension, Redmi A5 easily handles multitasking, providing smooth app performance even during demanding tasks. Yet with its powerful performance, Redmi A5 doesn’t compromise battery life. Equipped with a 5200mAh battery, it supports over 20 hours of video playback and over 9 hours of gaming on a single charge, keeping you going throughout the day.

For further added convenience, Redmi A5 also offers secure access through a side fingerprint sensor and face unlock. Plus, with the 3.5mm headphone jack, users can continue enjoying high-quality wired audio. Pricing and Availability Redmi A5 arrives in the Philippines in four colors—Midnight Black¹, Sandy Gold¹, Lake Green¹, and Ocean Blue¹—offered in two variants: one with 3GB of RAM and 64GB of storage at only PHP 3,599, and another with 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage at just PHP 4,099.

It will be available online starting May 20 via Xiaomi’s official Shopee and Lazada stores, and in authorized Mi Stores nationwide beginning May 23.

Outdoor explorer or stay-in squad?

Choose your kind of adventure with Smart

Tadventure: Have you tasted Aling Lucing’s sisig in Pampanga or the crispy perfection of Cebu lechon? What about the sweet comfort of buko pies in Laguna or the world-renowned mangoes of Guimaras? Summer is the perfect time for

From Foam to Future: Uratex leads the way in sustainable innovation

THEY have been a household name for decades, but few realize that Uratex is also one of the country’s leaders in sustainability, recognized for its commitment to quality and innovation. Now, it’s taking that same dedication to the next level — integrating sustainability into every stage of its operations, from clean energy sourcing to circular waste management practices.

The recent “Tried, Tested, Trusted” celebration at the RONAC Living Gallery in Mandaluyong, not only marked Uratex’s 17th consecutive Reader’s Digest Trusted Brand Platinum Award, but also reaffirmed its core values of reliability and service.

“Being recognized as a Trusted Brand for 17 years is a meaningful affirmation for us,” said Ms. Peachy Medina, Managing Director of Uratex.

Echoing this sentiment, Mrs. Natividad Cheng, Chief Executive Officer of Uratex noted “For over five decades, we’ve stood by our customers through comfort, quality, and care. Trust is something we earn every night. And we are grateful that we continue to be a brand Filipinos can rely on.”

Uratex is turning power into purpose with its shift to renewable energy. Through its partnership with ACEN Renewable Energy Solutions (ACEN RES), the company now powers 11 key facilities in Luzon and Cebu with clean electricity under the Green Energy Option Program (GEOP).

Uratex’s transition to clean energy earned them the “Powered by Renewable Energy” gold badge, a testament to its role in the country’s shift to renewables.

ACEN Philippines COO Miguel de Jesus noted, “This partnership not only drives Uratex’s sustainability goals but also boosts the country’s renewable energy capacity.”

On the mobility front, Uratex took another major step in 2024 with the rollout of electric delivery trucks. Partnering with Movem Electric, a Meralco subsidiary, they installed EV chargers at its Bulacan facility and introduced e-trucks into its logistics operations. Through this partnership, Uratex’s continuous goal to have cleaner mobility and the reduction of transport related emissions is highlighted for their customers, ensuring a greener future for everyone.

Sustainability at Uratex goes beyond infrastructure—it’s also integrated in their waste management and circularity. They recycle their

own foam offcuts into rebonded foam, carpet underlays, and other value-added products, drastically minimizing landfill contributions.

To align with the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Act, Uratex partnered with Republic Cement through its ecoloop program.

The non-recyclable plastic waste is co-processed into alternative fuel for cement kilns ensuring that nonrecyclable plastics are diverted from landfills.

Sustainability at Uratex goes beyond infrastructure. Uratex has introduced eco-conscious product lines like the Trill Seave Collection. Made with Seaqual Yarn, which is crafted from ocean-bound plastic, the collection turns marine waste into premium sleep solutions.

This product innovation demonstrates how responsible

sourcing, and environmental awareness can be seamlessly integrated into consumer comfort.

Uratex’s environmental efforts extend to reforestation as well. Since 2018, Uratex has planted over 156,000 trees across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao— demonstrating its longterm commitment to reforestation and environmental restoration. These efforts not only help restore degraded ecosystems, but also contribute to improved air quality, carbon sequestration, and the reduction of flood risks in surrounding communities. At the operational level, sustainability is reinforced through regular waste audits, employee safety training, and ongoing process improvements. These initiatives ensure that environmental compliance goes hand in hand with ethical and efficient practices.

Uratex also practices water stewardship by installing rainwater harvesting systems across several facilities. These systems reduce reliance on local water sources and provide an alternative supply during dry months — an increasingly vital step in addressing water scarcity caused by climate change. Its long-running scholarship program, launched in the 1990s, continues to support the education of employees’ children. Through a long-running scholarship program that began in the 1990s, Uratex continues to invest in the education of employees’ children, fostering long-term inclusive growth. With over 400 graduates supported by the initiative to date, the program reflects the company’s belief that sustainability includes uplifting communities through access to education, empowerment, and generational progress. From energy efficiency and waste reduction, to circular design and community upliftment, Uratex is shaping a sustainability model that aims to go beyond compliance. With each new product and initiative, the company moves closer to building a cleaner, more resilient future, one that puts both people and the planet at the heart of progress.

Beat the heat, maximize the fun: Tech gadgets for PH summer’s final stretch

By Jessica Luna

AN, summer in the Philippines! For us Filipinos, it means longer days, beach trips, out-of-town adventures, and of course, the infamous sweltering heat. While a refreshing halo-halo and a dip in the ocean are non-negotiable, technology plays a crucial role in making our summer more comfortable, convenient, and memorable.

From staying cool in the concrete jungle of Las Piñas to capturing breathtaking moments in Boracay, here’s a rundown of the tech gadgets Filipinos absolutely must have this summer.

1. The Mighty Portable Fan: Your Personal Air Conditioner on the Go Let’s face it, the Philippine heat is no joke. While air conditioning is a blessing, it’s not always available. This is where the trusty portable fan becomes your best friend. Gone are the days of flimsy, battery-guzzling models. Modern portable fans, like those from brands like Jisulife, are compact, rechargeable, and surprisingly powerful.

Why you need it: Imagine being stuck in traffic on EDSA, enduring a long queue for a theme park ride, or simply trying to relax outdoors. A strong, personal breeze can make all the difference. Many now come with long battery life (up to 8 hours!), multiple speed settings, and even misting functions for an extra cooling effect. Neck fans have also become popular for a hands-free solution. Where to find it: Local electronics stores, online marketplaces like Shopee and Lazada, and even department stores.

2. The Indispensable Power Bank: Always Juiced Up

With all the gadgets we carry, running out of battery is a nightmare, especially when you’re out exploring. A high-capacity power bank is no longer a luxury but a fundamental necessity.

Why you need it: Whether you’re navi-

gating using Waze on a road trip, incessantly taking photos and videos at the beach, or just keeping up with social media, your smartphone’s battery will drain quickly. Look for models with fast charging capabilities (like 20W or more) and sufficient capacity (10,000mAh or higher) to ensure multiple full charges for your devices. Solar-powered options are also great for off-grid adventures.

Where to find it: Any electronics store, online tech shops, and even convenience stores.

3. Action Camera & Waterproof Phone Pouch: Capture Every Splash Summer means beaches, pools, and waterfalls. You’ll want to capture those unforgettable moments without risking your precious smartphone.

Action Camera (e.g., GoPro, DJI Osmo Action): If you’re serious about capturing high-quality photos and videos underwater or during extreme sports, an action camera is a fantastic investment. They’re built tough, waterproof, and offer features like wide-angle lenses perfect for scenic landscapes and group shots.

Waterproof Phone Pouch: For casual dips or just protecting your phone from splashes and sand, a reliable waterproof phone pouch is a must-have. These affordable accessories allow you to use your phone for quick photos or checking messages without fear. Just remember to do a water test first!

Samsung Sound Devices Connect You to Endless Possibilities

Experience the best your entertainment can offer with the seamless integration and evenly distributed sound from Samsung’s soundbars and Sound Towers.

ARE you sure you’re satisfied with your current entertainment set-up at home? Sure, any TV speaker can do a good enough job of producing audio, but have you ever imagined the full potential of surround sound that fills the room and reverberates all around you, or the impact of powerful bass that pulls you into every rise and drop in the audio?

This is what you’d call the Samsung Sound Effect— adding the final touch that makes the content come alive, adding excitement and thrill to the viewing experience that renders it unforgettable. From its soundbars to Sound Towers, Samsung’s line of sound devices brings home entertainment and live gatherings to new heights through fine-tuned audio that introduces sound possibilities you never thought possible.

Endless Sound Possibilities at Your Fingertips

In its firm belief that sound is not only meant to be heard but also experienced, Samsung introduces sound devices that not only produce audio but also incite emotions and create lasting moments.

Whatever the type of content flashed on screen, Samsung’s soundbars pull the viewer in every scene with the synchronized sound from the TV speaker and its sound system. As for creating more unforgettable moments with those you love most, Samsung’s Sound Towers bring people together through shared sound experiences that are enjoyed by all at the same time. Orchestrated in Harmony

When watching a film or show, stunning visuals catch one’s attention, pulling the viewer in through excellent visual storytelling reflected through the TV screen. However, it’s the sound that keeps the viewer stuck to every frame as they live through scene after scene. Just imagine—the crashing of the ocean waves in front of you, the roar of the plane as it dives upwards into the sky above, the murmur of the crowd surrounding

you. With immersive sound, your living room becomes a gateway to an entirely new world. Samsung’s line of Q Soundbars, including the Q990 Q Soundbar, serves as the key to this gateway, granting users a one-of-akind experience as it seamlessly integrates with the Samsung TV’s speakers.

Through Q Symphony, the TV speakers and soundbar work together as one for an ultimate immersive experience. The Q Soundbar’s wireless Dolby Atmos produces the ultimate 3D sound, so every beat and pulse flows through every corner of the room. Shared Moments, Strengthening Bonds

There’s nothing like a memorable get-together that brings people closer. Whether it be a simple gathering at home or a lively party outdoors, the laughs you share and the music you listen to will stay with you forever. The Samsung T70 Sound Tower enhances every kind of celebration, uniting each person through shared sound. Samsung’s range of Sound Towers produces bi-directional sound to deliver music from wall to wall, filling the room with powerful bass and upbeat rhythms. With its High Power 1500 Watts, the Sound Tower allows you to feel the intensified low frequencies coursing through your veins, vibrations that every person in the room can feel.

Further setting the mood and creating the ideal ambiance for every celebration, the different LED light modes—from Party, Ambient, Dance, Thunder Bolt, and Star—easily match the rhythm of the song to elevate every live music experience. Experience the Samsung Sound Effect for yourself! With every purchase of an ST50B, T50, or T70 Sound Tower, you can avail a free microphone or save up to Php 19,500 when you buy a Q Soundbar until May 31, 2025. Go to samsung.com/ph or visit any of Samsung’s authorized dealers nationwide to learn more about Samsung’s number one sound devices.

Converge Netflix Bundle: Bringing entertainment, convenience for people on the go

A DEFINING feature of over-the-top (OTT) services, such as Netflix, is allowing users to binge-watch shows at their convenience. With an extensive library of movies and series, these services cater to every individual’s on-demand streaming needs, especially for those who have a lot on their plate at home, work, and school. This convenience is precisely why Kapampangan journalist Albert Lacanlale finds Netflix particularly appealing. As the operations head of SunStar Pampanga and a broadcaster for RW 95.1FM, Lacanlale’s

demanding routine leaves him little time to watch scheduled programs on regular cable TV. Fortunately, Netflix now allows him to stream movies and shows whenever it suits him.

“Back then, with regular cable channels, you had to wait every week for new episodes. Now, everything’s complete. When I have time, I can watch several episodes in one sitting. You couldn’t do that before. If you missed an episode, that’s it. But with Netflix, you can go back, rewatch anytime, and even replay certain parts,” he shared. Recently, Lacanlale discovered

the Converge Netflix Bundle, an internet subscription plan that combines enhanced internet connectivity with seamless streaming through Netflix.

It is a connectivity and entertainment solution that features a boosted FiberX plan with 325 Mbps speeds, a Netflix subscription, a WiFi-6 Next Gen Modem, and an Android TV box called Converge Xperience Box, all put together in a single plan.

“Since I’m working on the radio, one time I had guests from Converge promoting the new product, the Converge Netflix Bundle. That was the first time

I heard about it. That time, I had two different plans I pay separately every month—a Netflix account and my internet subscription. I thought, “Why don’t I just try it here instead?”” Lacanlale said.

He appreciates the ease brought by having his Netflix account tied with his internet plan, which eliminates the extra work of renewing two separate subscriptions monthly.

Additionally, the upgraded internet speed easily accommodates the family’s daily connectivity needs, whether it’s supporting their CCTV cameras at home, or enabling their daily binge.

“For someone working in media, I always need an

internet connection when I’m writing. And when I’m not at home, I need to monitor what’s happening there through our CCTV. I have Netflix on my phone when I want to watch privately but when watching with the family, we use the TV. My kids also share the account with me. So with this bundle, all of us are connected to Netflix and our internet is still fast.”

He also expressed satisfaction with the Converge Xperience Box, which they set up in the living area to entertain guests with its wide array of channels.

“This Converge Netflix Bundle is highly recommended, and I would definitely recommend it to my friends,” he said.

Albert Lacanlale, Operations Head of SunStar Pampanga.

Globe unveils ‘Globe of Good’ as unified sustainability platform

GLOBE has formally launched Globe of Good as its new sustainability masterbrand that brings together all of the company’s environmental and social impact programs under a single, cohesive platform.

Long woven into Globe’s DNA, sustainability has guided its initiatives across digital inclusion, climateconscious operations, and community upliftment.

With Globe of Good, the mobile network leader seeks to make its sustainability message more accessible and engaging to the general public—helping customers, employees, and partners recognize and participate in its efforts to create lasting, positive change.

“This initiative is our commitment to embed sustainability in everything we do, in the way we operate, serve, and lead. We want to make sustainability more relatable and easier for every Filipino to take part in,” said Yoly Crisanto, Globe’s Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer.

The launch also highlighted two business-led programs that exemplify this principle in action: Globe Prepaid’s GoGIVE and Globe Platinum’s Gastronome Giving Series.

Globe Platinum’s Gastronome Giving Series, developed in partnership with Fine Dining Club Philippines, celebrates Filipino culinary excellence while helping raise funds for Globe’s Hapag Movement.

“Gastronome Giving allows us to connect fine dining with purposeful action,” said Mark Pasaylo, Head of Globe Platinum. “It demonstrates how different sectors can work together to help address involuntary hunger affecting millions of Filipinos.”

Globe Platinum customers may book tables at participating Gastronome Giving Series restaurants, including Roots (Siargao), Anzani (Cebu), Mrs. Saldo’s (Silang, Cavite), Taupe Dining (BGC), Goxo (Salcedo - Makati), and Kasa Palma (Poblacion - Makati). For added convenience, reservations may also be made via THEA, Globe Platinum’s 24/7 digital assistant, accessible anytime and anywhere.

Meanwhile, GoGIVE is a digital-first platform built into the GlobeOne app that turns everyday data use into real-world support. Customers earn and donate “hearts” to their chosen non-government organizations by simply using data.

“Through GoGIVE, we are transforming data into a force for good. This platform offers a fresh and convenient way to give back to the community, especially for digital natives,” said Givielle Florida, Head of Globe Prepaid.

Globe’s dedication to sustainability was affirmed by research firm Standard Insights, which recently named it Most Sustainable Mobile Network and Most Active Mobile Network for the Environment in the Philippines. The recognition proves Globe’s leadership in embedding responsible practices into its operations and underscores its position as a sustainability leader both locally and globally.

“Globe has steadily built a track record of care-driven business practices. For those who value a network that operates responsibly and embraces advocacy and sustainability, the choice is clear—keep it Globe,” said Eric Tanbauco, Head of Consumer Mobile Business.

Globe Prepaid users may join the Globe of Good movement by opting in to GoGIVE and participating in the #GoGIVEYourHeart challenge on TikTok.

To learn more about Globe, visit https://www.globe.com.ph/.

vivo Y29: Y Series’ most powerful battery is here

IN today’s always-on world, the last thing you should be worrying about is your phone giving up before you do. That’s why the upcoming vivo Y29 isn’t just an upgrade, it’s a complete rethinking of what an entry-level smartphone can offer, especially when it comes to power.

The vivo Y29 features the strongest battery ever in the Y Series, yet with its massive 6500mAh capacity that delivers performance built to last through your longest days and content-heavy routines!

vivo pushed it to its limits, so you don’t have to vivo tested out the vivo Y29’s 6500mAh BlueVolt battery, and it clocked in up to 40 hours of video playback on a single charge. That’s almost two full days of binge-watching your favorite shows without plugging in!

While for gamers, the vivo Y29 keeps up with the action too, offering over 10 hours of uninterrupted PUBG gaming, offering a nonstop fun experience. It goes even better for content creators, as the phone delivers up to 17 hours of continuous TikTok use from recording, editing, scrolling, and engaging without breaking a sweat.

These aren’t just numbers; they represent entire days of uninterrupted activity, whether you’re on a streaming streak or just keeping up with everything and everyone. The vivo Y29 steps up as the reliable power partner you’ve been waiting for.

Built for the battery-hungry generation

The vivo Y29 is made for a new generation of users who are just beginning to discover what their smartphones are truly capable of.

Its 6500mAh BlueVolt battery is ideal for students who rely on their phones for both study and entertainment, budding content creators looking for a reliable device to document their world, gaming

for their free time or anyone ready to break free from the battery limitations of their current phone.

This phone is proof that premium battery performance and day-long comfort can come without the premium price. From its sleek quad-curved body to its artful color options and refined camera module, every detail of the vivo Y29 is designed to deliver style and substance in perfect balance.

Set to make its official debut on May 31, 2025, the vivo Y29 is ready to power a new generation of users who refuse to slow down.

GCash provides free health insurance to millions of Filipinos through Buy Load service

IN line with the Philippines’ efforts to further boost the local insurance industry, GCash, the country’s leading finance super app, is introducing a new feature to unlock access to insurance for millions of Filipinos.

The e-wallet is providing free health insurance, underwritten by FPG Insurance, every time eligible users buy prepaid credits for themselves using the Buy Load service.

“This initiative, powered by GInsure in partnership with FPG Insurance, reflects the commitment of GCash to making financial protection accessible to every Filipino, ensuring that even the simplest transactions, like buying prepaid load, come with the added security of health coverage at no extra cost,” said Winsley Bangit, vice president and group head of New Businesses at GCash.

The country’s insurance penetration has been growing in recent years, but it remains below 2%. With millions of Buy Load users on the app primarily receiving mobile load, GCash sees an opportunity to protect more Filipinos, offering a valuable incentive beyond telecommunications.

Made possible by GInsure, every time eligible users make Buy Load transactions on the GCash app, they can also avail of the free health insurance coverage, empowering users to prepare for unexpected medical expenses due to accidents or hospitalization

“Beyond just financial assistance, this benefit ensures that users have funds to cover medical costs or compensate for lost income during recovery, helping prevent families from falling deeper into debt and alleviating financial struggles,” Ren-Ren Reyes, president and CEO of GCash mobile wallet operator G-Xchange, Inc.

The free health and accident insurance gives eligible users up to PHP 30,000 coverage and additional valuable benefits. For every load purchase, a user can automatically get PHP 10,000 in accidental death coverage, which can be accumulated up to a maximum of PHP 30,000 when making up to three separate eligible load purchases.

Users can also get income assistance when they’re hospitalized due to illnesses and accidents, allowing them to receive PHP 500 per day salary assistance for a maximum of 5 days. They can also get up to PHP 10,000 disablement benefit, providing the user or their beneficiaries a safety net.

GCash introduced this initiative in response to shifting user needs. With millions of Filipinos still hesitant to fully embrace digital transactions, they still rely on traditional offline methods. Now, with free health insurance seamlessly integrated into prepaid load transactions, users can enjoy more benefits when they go digital, making each purchase not just more convenient but also rewarding.

From left: Ai dela Cruz, Team Globe of Good ambassador; Mark Pasaylo, Globe Platinum Head; Yoly Crisanto, Globe Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer; Givielle Florida, Globe Prepaid Head; Eric Tanbauco, Globe Consumer Mobile Business Head; and Luigi Tan, Globe Media and Performance Manager.

Watch out for ONIC PH and more of your favorite influencers’ live shopping online events on nubia’s social media pages

Grab a nubia Neo 3 gaming phone for just P6 at

nubia’s biggest 6.6 Mid-Year Sale

NUBIA has announced a major 6.6 Mid-Year Sale, featuring exceptional offers including ₱6 Smartphone Flash Sales, Buy-One-Get-One promotions, and more surprises exclusively on TikTok Shop, Lazada, and Shopee from June 2 to June 6.

This massive promotion makes nubia’s latest devices—from the powerful nubia Neo 3 series gaming smartphone to the innovative nubia V70 Max—even more accessible to Filipino tech fans, mobile gamers, and loyal nubia supporters.

Don’t miss the exclusive live selling events online featuring Mobile Legends: Bang Bang M6 World Champions ONIC PH and other favorite influencers, which will run on nubia Philippines’ TikTok page from 7 PM to 10 PM on June 6. Catch all the action, score amazing deals, and experience what nubia is all about!

Level Up via nubia’s Most Generous Deals yet Saan aabot ang 6 pesos mo? Gamers and digital-first lifestyle enjoyers can snag nubia models for as low as 6 pesos this 6.6! Interested customers can follow nubia Philippines on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, and tune in to its official stores on Lazada, Shopee, and TikTok shops for its 6-pesos-flash-deal announcement to avail.

The Buy-One-Get-One promotion applies on select nubia smartphones. Customers can get two of the same nubia smartphones in one

purchase (buy a nubia Neo 3 GT, get another nubia Neo 3 GT free), applicable to all nubia smartphone models until supplies last. There’s more! Up to ₱3,000 off discount vouchers are up for grabs, and more exciting freebies await customers, including premium power banks, speakers, phone stands, coolers, and more.

Power-Packed Live Selling Sessions with Your Favorite nubia Icons

Get ready for even more excitement as nubia turns up the heat with a special live selling session featuring your favorite influencers. Fans can tune in on nubia’s TikTok page to catch exclusive live deals on the latest smartphone lineup, available only for TikTok audiences and buyers.

Adding to the thrill, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang M6 World Champions ONIC PH will make their live shopping debut exclusively on nubia Philippines’ TikTok page from 7 pm to 10 pm this June 6. Gaming fans can score amazing 6.6 promotions and limited-edition ONIC PH collectibles, exclusively packed inside the nubia Neo 3 GT gift box, complete with custom gaming accessories and premium gear built for esports enthusiasts and pros.

Home Credit’s Ultimate Guide to Sulit Back-to-School Tech Deals Available Only Until July 31, starting at P23 Per Day

Get

TAGUIG CITY—The back-toschool season is an exciting time for families, but it also comes with its share of challenges. Students need reliable gadgets like laptops, tablets, and smartphones to support their studies and stay connected. At the same time, parents, especially moms, face the tough task of managing expenses while ensuring their children are equipped for a productive school year. With rising prices and long shopping lists, buying school tech essentials can quickly become overwhelming, particularly for families with more than one student. Parents want to provide the right tools to help their children succeed, but doing so without going over budget can be difficult.

Recognizing this need, Home Credit Philippines (HCPH), the country’s leading consumer finance company, steps in as a reliable financial ally by offering affordable access to feature-packed gadgets that meet both the educational and recreational needs of students. Sulit ang back-to-school tech deals with Home Credit Home Credit is once again making back-to-school shopping more affordable with the return of its SulitSkwela 2025 deals. From laptops and tablets to mobile phones, students and parents can bring home musthave gadgets for as low as P684 per month or just P23 per day. With flexible installment plans of up to 24 months, including options with 0% interest and zero downpayment, families can invest in quality devices without stretching their budget. These offers are available until July 31, making it the perfect time to gear up for the

Global certifications affirm network resilience for PLDT, Smart

PLDT Inc. (PLDT), the Philippines’ leading integrated telecommunications company, and its wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), continue to strengthen alignment with internationally recognized standards as they announce the ISO 22301:2019 Business Continuity Management Systems certification of a key Smart facility in Palawan. This brings to 25 the total number of PLDT and Smart sites nationwide with certifications on business continuity, as of end April 2025.

“These certifications are globally recognized marks of excellence in business continuity, reaffirming our efforts to build, implement, and maintain a robust system of resilience. Operating in a country vulnerable to various disruptive incidents but where connectivity is essential, having the capability to deliver services despite disruptions is critical,” said Leo A. Gonzales, Vice President and Head of Property, Facilities, and Asset Resiliency Management at PLDT and Smart. ISO 22301:2019 guides organizations in establishing a framework to consistently prevent, minimize, and recover from disruptive incidents, while mitigating financial and reputational impacts across critical facilities and operations. For PLDT and Smart, disruptive incidents include power and equipment outages, accidental damage from construction works, crime and cable theft, cybersecurity incidents, and climate change-related occurrences.

Emphasizing the link between business continuity and sustainability, Melissa V. Vergel de Dios, Chief Sustainability Officer at PLDT and Smart welcomed the continuing expansion of ISOcertified facilities across the group and highlighted relevance to the business. “With climate change bringing about more frequent and severe weather events in the country, our task is to mitigate its impacts on our business and our customers by ensuring that we can quickly restore our network and continue delivering

our services amid disruptions. These ISO certifications affirm that we are prepared to do so and could serve as differentiators in the eyes of our existing and future customers,” she said.

According to the Asian Disaster Reduction Center, an average of 20 typhoons visits the Philippines every year and five of which are destructive. PLDT and Smart thus consider climate change as one of their top enterprise risks and continue to integrate climate resilience into their operational design and facilities. In parallel, the group has been pursuing quality standardization measures over the past nine years to support thrusts for resiliency, operational excellence, and customer-centricity.

These initiatives align with PLDT and Smart’s commitment to support the Philippine government’s overall digitalization thrust and contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), particularly UN SDG 9 on Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.

AT PCAPI’S 45th National Annual Convention and General Assembly recently held in Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental in coordination with the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), representatives from the Property and Facilities Management (PFM) office of PLDT and Smart received the award.

“We are grateful for this Success Story Award from PCAPI, as it recognizes not only our

renewable energy projects but also the rest of our collaborative efforts. Our investments in renewable energy initiatives and resource-efficient operations translate into greater service continuity, reduced environmental impact, and a stronger commitment to safeguarding the communities that we serve. It also highlights how environmental excellence is inseparable from customer care,” according to Engr. Kristine Gonzalez-Catague, Head of Corporate Environment, Health, and Safety Center at PLDT and Smart.

Themed “Moving Beyond Compliance: Reinforcing Our Role in Keeping the Balance in Nature,” the PCAPI convention gathered environmental professionals and advocates from across the country to celebrate achievements and share best practices in environmental protection and sustainability.

This recognition reinforces PLDT and Smart’s commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship, aligning with their broader mission to build a more resilient and eco-conscious future for the Filipino people. It also supports PLDT and Smart’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), particularly SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, and SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.

Business Continuity Management Systems certifications reaffirm the companies’ efforts to build, implement, and maintain a robust system of resilience, enabling the Group to deliver services amid disruptions, according to Leo A.

Shell Pilipinas Recognized at the 2025 Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards

SHELL Pilipinas Corporation was recognized for its forward-thinking initiatives and impactful campaigns across various categories, earning five awards, including the coveted Gold Stevie at the 2025 Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards.

The Stevie Awards are among the world’s most esteemed honors for business excellence. They recognize outstanding achievements and positive contributions of organizations and professionals globally. The Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards specifically celebrate innovation in all aspects of work life across 29 nations in the region.

Listed below are the campaigns that Shell Pilipinas won in this year’s Stevie Awards: Gold Stevie Award

Under the category of Innovation In Sustainability

- Reuse and Recycle, Shell Pilipinas Corporation won a Gold Stevie after it took steps in addressing textile waste through its initiative, “Slowing Down Fast Fashion with the Balik Likha Clothing Capacity”. This campaign integrated internal clothing drives, partnerships, and a student design competition to promote economic practices. Within just two months, over 7,000 kilos of used clothing were collected, reused, or upcycled into new, functional products that highlight Shell’s commitment to sustainability and community empowerment.

Bronze Stevie Awards

To empower local businesses and celebrate its legacy, Shell Pilipinas launched two impactful initiatives recognized with a Bronze Stevie Award. The Shell Fleet App, honored in the Innovation in Technology Development – All Other Industries category, revolutionized fleet management for over 1,000 SMEs by offering a fast, digital, and cashless

solution. Meanwhile, the company’s rich 110-year journey was brought to life through “Meet the Shell Pavers and Movers,” an internal documentary awarded under Innovation in Internal Communications Videos, which highlighted the people behind Shell’s enduring progress in the Philippines.

Additionally, Shell Pilipinas Corporation also earned Bronze Stevies across two categories for its innovative outreach and digital initiatives. Under Innovation in Business-to-Business Events – Live, Virtual, and Hybrid, Shell Advance was honored for the Mekaniko League, a hands-on training program that has upskilled 320 motorcycle mechanics across five regions, with plans to expand further in 2025.

In the Innovation in Shopping or E-Commerce Apps – Technology category, Shell broke new ground by becoming the first engine oil brand in the Philippines to launch on TikTok Shop, achieving a 2,500% spike in sales during live-selling days and showcasing its agility in adapting to a digital-first consumer behavior.

Looking Ahead

The awards reflect Shell Pilipinas Corporation’s ongoing commitment to driving meaningful change and innovation in the country. In its 111th year of service to the Filipinos, the company is strengthening its mission to power progress through sustainable energy, innovation, and inclusive community initiatives.

“These recognitions fuel our drive to lead with purpose and continue creating value for our communities, customers, and the nation,” said Lorelie Quiambao Osial, CEO

Shell Pilipinas Corporation was recognized at the 2025 Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards ceremony in Seoul, South Korea, held on May 13.

TCL C7K QD-Mini LED TV launched for immersive view

FOR many, watching TV is an everyday ritual — a way to unwind after a long day, catch up on favorite shows, or dive into an intense gaming session.

When it comes to truly elevating your viewing experience, a large screen makes all the difference. It fills more of your field of vision, pulling you deeper into movies, TV shows, and games. It creates a cinematic atmosphere that makes you feel like you’re right in the middle of the action, whether you’re exploring fantastical worlds in games or enjoying the latest blockbuster film from the comfort of your home.

No need to just imagine that larger-thanlife screen anymore. TCL, the Triple Global Top 1 TV Brand and a trusted leader in home appliances, is redefining clarity and ushering in a new era of home entertainment. Introducing the TCL C7K Premium QD-Mini LED TV: a breakthrough that combines the best of QLED technology to deliver stunning precision, unparalleled brightness, and incredible color depth.

Watching a favorite movie on the TCL C7K Premium QD-Mini LED TV brings the screen to life with vivid colors and bright details that make every scene stand out.

Whether it’s a quiet moment or an actionpacked sequence, the TV’s exceptional contrast and lifelike colors immerse viewers, making them feel like they are part of the story. It offers a cinematic experience that transforms any living room into a personal movie theater.

“We’re excited to bring you the cuttingedge QD-Mini LED TV technology. Expect a viewing experience that is truly leveled up. Engineered to deliver cinematic picture quality, this TV integrates advanced features that you have always wanted, all in the comfort of your own home,” announced Joseph Cernitchez, TCL Brand Manager.

Redefine Clarity With The All-Out Premium TV

TCL’s QD-Mini LED technology represents a significant leap forward, seamlessly combining the strength of Premium 4K QDMini LED Display. It transforms traditional

TCL C7K QD-Mini LED TV

backlighting into a system with near pixellevel precision, delivering stunning control over light. By leveraging advanced QLED technology, it achieves contrast and color gamut comparable to OLED, yet provides higher peak brightness and a longer lifespan. This innovation isn’t just an upgrade; it’s the future of large-screen display technology.

Boasting thousands of local dimming zones, it provides incredibly precise brightness control and deep contrast. Coupled with Quantum Dot technology for exceptionally vibrant, lifelike colors, its ultra-bright backlight surpasses traditional LED TVs in peak brightness, creating a truly immersive viewing experience. Another advantage is that the sound quality also matches the superb visuals. TCL QD Mini LED TVs carry Audio by Bang & Olufsen technology, giving exceptional sound quality that defies conventions and surpasses expectations. The soundtrack is delivered with unmatched purity and depth truly elevating your home cinema experience. So, only the purest sound will come out on your TV. Get ready to experience the future of home entertainment. The TCL C7K Premium QD-Mini LED TV will soon be available at all TCL authorized dealers. Prepare for a visual revolution!

Stay tuned for more updates on TCL C7K Premium QD-Mini LED TV, visit the TCL website at https://www.tcl.com/ph/en.

Beat the Back-To-School Blues with HONOR’s Payday Deals

AS summer winds down and students prepare to head back to school, HONOR is turning up the excitement with amazing deals on its fan-favorite HONOR X Series smartphones— perfect for entertainment, learning, and everyday performance. With big discounts and easy installment options, the HONOR’s Payday Sale from May 27 to 31 is the perfect time to score your next upgrade.

“We designed the HONOR X Series to deliver premium tech that’s accessible and reliable. With our EOM sale, we’re giving Filipinos more reasons to upgrade with powerful smartphones at unbeatable prices.” Said Stephen Cheng, Vice President of HONOR Philippines.

HONOR’s PAYDAY SALE: May 27 – 31 Ready to upgrade? The End-of-Month Payday Sale is packed with big price drops and exciting offers across HONOR’s bestselling devices. Shop online or in stores and take advantage of:

HONOR Pad X9a—Now the hero device of this campaign! Get it at an amazing price (SRP: ₱11,999) and enjoy immersive learning and content viewing on the go.

HONOR X9c Smart —A sleek, AI-powered multitasker perfect for school or work.

HONOR X9b, H200, H200 Pro—

Additional options to suit your lifestyle and budget.

Experience Power and Style with the New HONOR Pad X9a

The HONOR Pad X9a is now available for only ₱11,999 SRP, exclusively on Shopee and TikTok during the End-of-Month Payday Sale! Designed for students, young professionals, and anyone in need of a reliable tablet for both productivity and entertainment, the Pad X9a features a stunning 11.5-inch 2K FullView Display for immersive viewing, six surround speakers for rich, theater-like sound, and a long-lasting 7250mAh battery to power you

through the day. Its sleek metal body adds a touch of sophistication, while up to 8GB of RAM with HONOR RAM Turbo ensures smooth and efficient multitasking.

HONOR X9c Smart—Slim Design, Smart Features

Only 7.2mm thin, this phone is perfect for users who value style and substance. With MagicOS 9.1, AI-powered multitasking, and real-time language translation, the X9c Smart is built for work and play. Capture stunning shots with its 64MP camera, no matter where life takes you. Whether you’re preparing for class or capturing every summer memory, the HONOR X Series is your perfect tech companion. Stylish, powerful, and now more affordable— these smartphones are made to keep up with your life. Shop now before these deals end on May 31! Visit HONOR Experience and Partner Stores or shop online via Shopee (https://bit. ly/Shopee-HONORPayDaySale_PR), Lazada (

Models showcase upcycled designs from the Balik Likha campaign