Portside Game Assembly In Hamburg Establishes Itself As The Conference For International Exchange Among Indie Game Studios — 2027 Date Announced

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GAMING | July 12, 2026

(Image Source: Gamecity Hamburg)

Hamburg Kreativ Gesellschaft, through its Gamecity Hamburg initiative, launched the second edition of the Portside Game Assembly last June 25-26, 2026 where 100 participants from established indie game studios from 13 countries exchanged ideas on a conference ship about the ongoing challenges faced by studio leaders. With the Hamburg Harbor as a backdrop, participants discussed the development of new games, collaborations, and long-term successful marketing in a confidential atmosphere. What sets Portside Game Assembly apart is its curated list of participants which enables studio heads to exchange experiences and make new contacts on an equal footing. Following very positive feedback on the conference, the Portside Game Assembly will be held again in Hamburg on June 24-25, 2027. 

Crunchyroll And TMS ‘Peel’ The Curtain Back On ‘Bananya Buddies’, An Original Game Based On The Beloved Anime, And 10th Anniversary Anime Special

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ENTERTAINMENT, GAMING | July 12, 2026

(Image Source: Starmometer/Crunchyroll)

Crunchyroll, the global brand serving anime-fandom worldwide, and TMS (Tokyo Movie Shinsha), one of the largest and most established anime studios, join forces to publish a brand-new game, Bananya Buddies, and release the “Bananya 10th Anniversary” anime special. Befriend a “bunch” of Bananyas when Bananya Buddies, a mobile cat-collecting game based on the beloved anime shorts streaming on Crunchyroll, launches this Summer exclusively on Crunchyroll Game Vault. Pre-registration on Google Play is available now and with the App Store coming soon. 

Paddling With Pride: Filipino Teams At The 50th Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races

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SPORTS | July 12, 2026

(Image Source: Manila Standard/Philippine Dragon Boat Federation)

Filled with Filipino pride, two dragon boat teams racing under the Philippine flag showcased their skills and grit when it came to braving the waters of Hong Kong. The Philippine Dragon Boat Federation (PDBF) Elite team and the Alliance of Masters Dragon Boat Club competed in the 50th Sun Life Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races (IDBR) where more than 4,500 athletes from 16 countries gathered for one of Asia’s biggest dragon boat competitions last June 27-28, 2026. 

Watsons Philippines Champions Advance Early Diabetes Detection Through Partnership With Diabetes Philippines

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LIFESTYLE | July 12, 2026

L–R: Watsons Philippines Senior Category Manager for Health Business Jayvee Creus, Watsons Philippines Marketing Supervisor for Health Anna Katrina Nuñez, Diabetes Philippines Inc. President Dr. Fatma Tiu, Watsons Philippines Group Category Manager for Health Business Darcy Co, Watsons Philippines Category Manager for Health Business PJ Gaffud (Image Source: Punto! Central Luzon/Watsons Philippines)

Leading health, wellness, and beauty retailer Watsons Philippines continues to champion accessible healthcare through meaningful partnerships that empower Filipinos to take charge of their health. With diabetes remaining one of the country’s most pressing health concerns, affecting millions of Filipinos and often going undetected until serious complications arise, the need for accessible screening, education, and early intervention has never been more critical. Recognizing this challenge, Watsons has been working alongside Diabetes Philippines Inc. to bring preventive healthcare closer to communities nationwide. 

Globe CEO Carl Cruz Says The Future Of AI Starts With People, Trust, And Purpose At MWC Shanghai 2026

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TECHNOLOGY | July 12, 2026

Globe Telecom President and CEO Carl Cruz delivers the opening plenary keynote at Mobile World Congress (MWC) Shanghai 2026, outlining the company's people-first AI strategy and emphasizing responsible innovation, trust, and purpose in the future of telecommunications. (Image Source: ThePhilBizNews/Globe Telecom)

Globe Telecom took the global stage at Mobile World Congress (MWC) Shanghai 2026 where President and CEO Carl Cruz did the keynote speech during the opening plenary. He joined Vivek Badrinath of Vodafone Group, Chen Zhongyue of China Mobile, Zhang Zhiyong of China Telecom, Wang Tao of Huawei, and John Hoffman of the GSMA to discuss how artificial intelligence is reshaping the future of connectivity and the telecommunications industry. 

Storm Preparedness 101: How To Keep Your Digital Life (And Home) Alive During Rainy Season Power Outages

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LIFESTYLE | July 12, 2026

Xiaomi 212W HyperCharge Power Bank 24500mAh (Image Source: Manila Standard/Xiaomi Philippines)

Typhoon season is officially here and with it comes the inevitable annual tradition of not just heavy rains and floods, but also lightning storms, fluctuating voltage, and sudden brownouts that plunge our homes into darkness. For the modern student, young professional, or a busy family, a power outage is a major disruption to our connectivity, work-from-home setups, and peace of mind. But emergency preparedness doesn’t just mean stocking up on candles and canned goods anymore. In our hyper-connected world, keeping your digital life and household environment resilient — and always powered — is just as critical. 

Wovoka Philippines, GCash GForest Partner To Plant 1 Million Trees In Oriental Mindoro And Camarines Norte To Support Long-Term Ecosystem Restoration

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LIFESTYLE | July 12, 2026

GCash General Manager of Sustainability and Corporate Communications Michelle Fernandez (left) and Wovoka Philippines Chief Executive Officer Lee Pearson (right) are working together to plant over 1 million trees in Oriental Mindoro and Camarines Norte. (Image Source: Business Mirror/GCash)

Climate tech project development company Wovoka Philippines and GForest, the sustainability initiative of GCash, signed a memorandum of agreement to plant over 1 million native trees and mangrove species over the next 5 years, from 2026-2030, across forest and coastal communities in the provinces of Oriental Mindoro and Camarines Norte. The partnership reaffirms the shared commitment of Wovoka and GCash to nation-building and long-term ecosystem restoration in observance of Philippine Arbor Day. 

Cebuana Lhuillier MoneyXchange Links Filipinos To The World As Global Currency Center

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LIFESTYLE | July 12, 2026

(Image Source: INQUIRER.net/Cebuana Lhuillier)

As international mobility and global commerce continue to accelerate, Cebuana Lhuillier strengthens its position as the Philippines’ trusted Global Currency Center through Cebuana Lhuillier MoneyXchange, its dedicated foreign exchange service. Designed for globally mobile Filipinos and businesses, it offers secure, accessible, and convenient currency solutions that support evolving cross-border financial needs. 

On The Radar: DLSL Unveils Batangas’ First Advanced Nursing Simulation Laboratory

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ON THE RADAR | July 12, 2026

(Image Source: De La Salle Lipa)

Continuing its pursuit of educational innovation, De La Salle Lipa (DLSL) marked a historic milestone with the blessing of its Nursing Simulation Laboratory last July 1, 2026 at the Mabini Building. Designed to advance nursing education through cutting-edge technology, the facility is the first of its kind in Batangas, reinforcing DLSL’s commitment to producing highly competent, compassionate, and globally competitive healthcare professionals. 

Beyond Rankings: What BatStateU’s Sustainability Performance Says About The Changing Role Of Universities

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LIFESTYLE | July 12, 2026

(Image Source: Batangas State University, The National Engineering University)

Universities today face growing expectations to do more than educate students and produce research. As societies grapple with climate change, inequality, and technological disruption, they are increasingly judged by the real-world impact they create beyond campus walls. This shift is reflected in the 2026 Times Higher Education (THE) Sustainability Impact Ratings, where Batangas State University, The National Engineering University (BatStateU The NEU), maintained its place in the global 401–600 band among 1,646 universities from 116 countries and territories. 

PLDT, Smart, DITO Partner To Expand Network Coverage Thru Landmark Infrastructure Sharing Agreement

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TECHNOLOGY | July 12, 2026

L-R: PLDT First Vice President for Network Roderick S. Santiago, PLDT Chief Operating Officer Menardo G. Jimenez, PLDT Chairman and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan, DITO Telecommunity President and CEO Eric R. Alberto, DITO Telecommunity Chief Commercial Officer Adel Tamano, DITO Telecommunity Chief Technology Officer Rodolfo Santiago (Image Source: INQUIRER.net/Smart Communications Inc.)

PLDT Inc., Smart Communications Inc. (Smart), and DITO Telecommunity signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to pursue strategic resource-sharing initiatives aimed at expanding network coverage and delivering more reliable connectivity for customers across the country. The agreement establishes a framework for collaboration across three key areas of telecommunications infrastructure through reciprocal resource sharing with no monetary exchange between the parties. 

PH’s Unified 911 System Expands To Mindanao

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TECHNOLOGY | July 12, 2026

(Image Source: Manila Standard/NGA 911 Philippines)

Following the successful launch of satellite command centers in Ilocos Norte, Isabela, Iloilo, and Tacloban in early June, the country’s Unified 911 system is expanding to Mindanao with two new dialect-sensitive command centers in Cagayan de Oro and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). The two new centers will connect Mindanao to the National Command Center in Metro Manila, the Regional Command Center in Cebu, and existing satellite command centers in the north (Batac, Ilocos Norte) and the Visayas Region (Leganes, Iloilo; and Tacloban City). Additional satellite command centers in Central Luzon (Pampanga) and the Bicol Region (Camarines Sur) are scheduled to open in the third quarter as part of the nationwide rollout. 

9-Year-Old Batangueño's Letter To DOST Opens Doors To His Dream Of Becoming An Inventor

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LIFESTYLE | July 12, 2026

(Image Source: Philippine Information Agency/Department Of Science And Technology-Batangas)

“Sa wakas, may makakaintindi na rin sa'kin.” Those were the first words of Javed Gage Felipe Magsino, a nine-year-old aspiring inventor from San Juan, Batangas, as he stepped inside the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-Batangas office after the agency responded to an open letter posted online by his mother, a public high school teacher, last July 2, 2026. The heartfelt letter described Javed's endless curiosity about science, technology, and inventions and expressed hope that someone could help nurture his passion. 

PLDT, Smart Partner With PRSP To Upskill And Connect Visayas Communicators In Historic Cebu Return

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LIFESTYLE | July 12, 2026

Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP) President Ana Ruby Pista and PLDT Inc. (PLDT) and Smart Communications Inc. (Smart) First Vice President and Head of Public Engagement Group Roby Alampay seal a landmark partnership in Cebu City to upskill Visayan communicators and digital creators. (Image Source: Manila Standard/Public Relations Society Of The Philippines)

Telco leaders PLDT Inc. (PLDT) and Smart Communications Inc. (Smart) have joined forces with the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP) to drive digital transformation, connectivity, and skills development for communication practitioners in the Visayas. The partnership anchors PRSP’s historic return to Cebu City after more than two decades as part of its broader initiative “Steward The Signal: PRSP Goes To Cebu”. As the primary enablers of this regional expansion, PLDT and Smart are actively stewarding the signal of connection, bridging communities, upskilling local talent, and fostering collaboration among communicators outside Metro Manila. 

Globe Strengthens Resilient Digital Infrastructure While Making Connectivity More Affordable For Filipinos

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TECHNOLOGY | July 12, 2026

(Image Source: Business Mirror/Globe Telecom)

As communities across the Philippines become more dependent on digital access for work, education, livelihood, and essential services, Globe Telecom continues to strengthen the foundations that help keep people connected while building a more resilient and sustainable future. Through its 2025 Integrated Report, Globe highlights how investments in network modernization, climate action, operational efficiency, and innovation are helping create long-term value not only for the business, but for the communities it serves. 

YouTube Leads TV And Social Media In Marketing ROI For PH FMCG Sector

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TECHNOLOGY | July 12, 2026

(Image Source: adobo Magazine/Google Philippines)

For decades, the Philippines’ most iconic food and beverage brands have been staples in every Filipino household. Today, new data shows that these brands are finding their most effective modern home on YouTube, delivering higher returns on investment than any other marketing platform. A series of recent studies conducted by industry leaders Monde Nissin, Nestlé, NutriAsia, and URC reveal that YouTube has become one of the primary drivers for business growth in the local Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector. 

Globe AT HOME GFiber Prepaid Launches “Just For You” Offers – More Affordable, Flexible, And Tailored For Every Filipino Home

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TECHNOLOGY | July 12, 2026

(Image Source: Manila Standard/Globe Telecom)

Globe AT HOME is bringing more flexibility with its fiber offers catered to Filipino families. Launching GFiber Prepaid “Just For You” (JFY) is a more personalized way to connect family members at home. Recognizing that every household’s internet needs are different, JFY provides reliable fiber connectivity tailored to each family’s unique needs and budget, because one size does not fit all. By understanding customer loading patterns and preferences, Globe delivers more relevant and personalized options, giving families greater value, freedom, and the confidence that their connectivity truly fits the way they live and connect. 

On The Radar: Build Harmony Across Filipino Families With Philips Karaoke Speakers

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ON THE RADAR | July 12, 2026

(Image Source: Starmometer/Philips)

Family bonding has always been at the heart of Filipino culture. Whether it’s a salu-salo where everyone insists you’ve “barely eaten”, a catch-up that lasts until midnight, or a singing session that turns into a full-blown karaoke showdown, Filipinos know how to make every gathering one to remember. It’s no surprise, then, that karaoke has, in many ways, stood the test of time. 

LTFRB Delivers Fuel Subsidy To Public Transportation Drivers Through GCash, Enabling More Efficient And Accessible Government Assistance

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LIFESTYLE | July 9, 2026

(Image Source: Manila Standard/GCash)

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) have partnered with GCash to enable fuel subsidy disbursements benefiting drivers of public transportation nationwide. Under this program, eligible beneficiaries receive fuel assistance directly via their GCash e-wallets. This streamlined approach ensures aid reaches transport workers with greater speed, security, and transparency than traditional manual methods while eliminating the need for beneficiaries to travel or wait in long queues. 

Shopee And Meta Launch Affiliate Partnerships On Instagram For Creators Across Southeast Asia, Taiwan And Brazil

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LIFESTYLE | July 9, 2026

(Image Source: Business Diary Philippines/Shopee)

Shopee and Meta recently announced the launch of affiliate partnerships on Instagram for creators across Southeast Asia, Taiwan and Brazil. This initiative enables eligible creators in these locations to seamlessly connect their Shopee affiliate account to Instagram, discover Shopee’s affiliate products and share recommendations with their audiences through Reels and Feed content, and earn commissions when viewers complete qualifying purchases on Shopee.