 |
| (Image Source: Mang Inasal) |
Mang Inasal introduces MI UNIVerse, a vibrant community of campus-based content creators from the Philippines’ top colleges and universities. Building on last year’s successful collaborations with young influencers, MI UNIVerse aims to make Mang Inasal’s connection with students even more exciting and meaningful this 2025. The name “MI UNIVerse” combines “university” and “universe,” signifying a collective of students from various universities who share a common love for Mang Inasal.
Participating schools include the University of Santo Tomas (UST), De La Salle University (DLSU), University of the Philippines (UP), Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU), National University (NU), Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), Silliman University, Cebu Institute of Technology University (CIT University), Philippine Women’s University (PWU), and Mapúa University. “With MI UNIVerse, we’re building real connections with Gen Z, giving them a space to show their true love for our brand. The joy of seeing younger customers embrace Mang Inasal last year was truly rewarding. And this 2025 we’re even more excited to keep that energy going, with campaigns that are bound to get them and their friends excited!” said Mang Inasal President Mike V. Castro. At a recent event, MI UNIVerse members shared their excitement about joining the community created bv the Philippines’ Grill Expert.
“It’s been such a great experience working with Mang Inasal in 2024. We’re eager for even more collaborations in 2025!” said UST Tiger TV's Sophia Ann Lacson. Justin Pontino from ADMU Radyo Katipunan added, “Mang Inasal is more than just food. It’s about bringing people together through the joy of Filipino flavors. I’m excited to be part of MI UNIVerse!” Meanwhile, Mark delos Santos from UP Samaskom shared his personal connection to Mang Inasal, saying, “Since I was young, Mang Inasal has been a part of my family. And being part of MI UNIVerse now allows me to share that bond with others.” As MI UNIVerse continues to grow in 2025, its members will lead the charge in spreading Mang Inasal’s signature Ihaw-Sarap meals and Unli-Saya moments across their campuses, strengthening the brand’s influence among Gen Z students nationwide.
* * * *
PLDT-Smart Technolab Excites Future Engineers From Negros Occidental
 |
| (Image Source: Journalnews/Smart Communications Inc.) |
Engineering students from the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos (UNO-R) experienced the future of wireless technology at the PLDT-Smart Technolab. Located at the Smart Tower in Makati, the digital innovations laboratory serves as a sandbox where the PLDT Group tests cutting-edge communications and connectivity solutions that could revolutionize customer experience. Many of these innovations have yet to be launched commercially. “The PLDT-Smart Technolab offers an opportunity for future engineers and innovators to be familiar with and learn more about upcoming mobile technologies. These are the solutions that they will most likely work on in the next few years,” said PLDT and Smart Assistant Vice President and Head of Network Innovations Lab and Special Projects Joseph Lennart Olaivar.
Among the innovations the PLDT Group is testing include Open Radio Access Network (ORAN), network disaggregation, extended realities, and advancements in cloud and home connectivity solutions. “The visit to the PLDT-Smart Technolab has opened a whole new world of technologies I have never heard of before. Since I am a graduating student, my experience here has also opened my eyes to more ideas for our capstone project,” said Abrielle Kaye Barayoga, an Electronics Engineering major at UNO-R. “We have these educational tours because we want our students to explore things that are beyond the four corners of the classroom. With the things our students have learned, hopefully this will inspire us to reach for greater things as we revolutionize ways to connect with each other,” said Ashraf Khater, one of the program heads of UNO-R's College of Engineering and Research.
UNO-R has been a part of the Smart Wireless Engineering Education Program (SWEEP) since August 2003. SWEEP is the country’s first and longest-running Philippine industry-academe linkage program that has been run by Smart. For the past 20 years, Smart’s partnership with schools has helped produce industry-ready graduates or technopreneurs by leveraging on its network, infrastructure and technologies. Underscoring the value of promoting STEM education in the country, SWEEP and its initiatives to welcome students to the PLDT-Smart Technolab are aligned with the PLDT Group’s much broader program for inclusive, quality education, and are also aimed at helping country achieve the United Nations Sustainability Development Goal (UNSDG) No. 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.
* * * *
TXT’s Immersive K-Pop Concert Film “Tomorrow X Together: Hyperfocus” To Be Shown In PH Cinemas In 4DX Exclusively At Ayala Malls Cinemas On January 15-21, 2025
 |
| (Image Source: ClickTheCity.com/Ayala Malls Cinemas) |
The first ever immersive concert film of popular K-pop group Tomorrow X Together (TXT), titled “Tomorrow X Together: Hyperfocus”, is slated to be available for a limited 7-day run in Philippine cinemas – in 4DX – exclusively at Ayala Malls Cinemas. TXT’s concert film opens on January 15, 2025 at Ayala Malls Cinemas with 4DX technology in Greenbelt, U.P. Town Center and Bonifacio High Street, and will be available on the big screen until January 21, 2025. This unique event transports fans into a fantastical world where they can enjoy performances by Soobin, Yeonjun, Beomgyu, Taehyun and Hueningkai in breathtaking environments. With the wide screen and realistic 4DX effects, such as seats moving to the beat, and wind and water effects when applicable, audiences will feel like they’re truly in the front row of an exclusive VIP concert, blending reality and fantasy to bring them closer to their favorite artists and their music.
A special gift for the K-pop group’s fans called MOA (Moments of Alwaysness), “Tomorrow X Together: Hyperfocus” features popular songs like “Sugar Rush Ride” and “Deja Vu”. Ayala Malls Cinemas is committed to giving moviegoers experiences that are one of a kind and exclusive. And with “Tomorrow X Together: Hyperfocus”, movie audiences get to experience a unique and immersive, and at the same time intimate, concert experience featuring the popular K-pop group. With 4DX technology and superior audio technologies like Dolby Sound and Dolby Atmos, fans will feel like they are truly at the concert. Whether a MOA or not, this immersive concert experience is enjoyable for anyone who loves great music coupled with top-notch technology. Patrons need not go far to look for the perfect food to munch on while watching the concert. The Movie Snackbar offers a variety of snacks, from different-flavored popcorn to hotdog sandwiches to yummy burgers, as well as refreshing beverages.
TXT’s “Tomorrow X Together: Hyperfocus”, showing exclusively at Ayala Malls Cinemas starting January 15, is a must-see immersive K-pop concert film. It will be available for a limited run of 7 days only. Book your tickets now by visiting www.sureseats.com or any of the participating cinemas and get a free TXT photocard. For updates, visit the official Facebook and Instagram accounts of Ayala Malls Cinemas FB and IG pages.
* * * *
US Embassy To Host Bootcamp For Southeast Asian Content Creators
 |
| (Image Source: US Embassy In The Philippines) |
The US Embassy in the Philippines, in partnership with Out of The Box Media Literacy Initiative, invites emerging digital content creators in Southeast Asia to participate in a Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) media literacy and content creation workshop from April to June. The “Creators Co-Lab: YSEALI Bootcamp For Digital Creators” is designed to equip young content creators with the essential skills and knowledge to thrive in today’s dynamic media environment. Interested participants are invited to submit their applications by January 31 through the following link: https://bit.ly/creatorsco-lab.
Through virtual sessions on April 5-6, 2025 followed by an in-person workshop in Manila on May 28-June 1, 2025, experts in media, technology, and the academe will train participants on using their platforms to promote media and information literacy, creating engaging online content, and tapping the latest tools in brand development, audience engagement, and analytics. During the program, participants will have the opportunity to exchange ideas on pressing issues such as disinformation, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity, and collaborate with fellow emerging content creators from across Southeast Asia to foster regional cooperation and innovation. The “Creators Co-Lab: YSEALI Bootcamp For Digital Creators” is open to citizens of ASEAN member-countries and Timor-Leste, aged between 18 and 35 years old. Applicants should have at least 1,000 followers on any social media platform and should have been actively creating online content for the past three months. After the bootcamp, participants will be eligible to apply for grants amounting to Php224,000 ($4,000) and mentoring support to implement new digital content projects. Participants will also become a member of the U.S. international exchange alumni network that will open them to unique opportunities, including grants and networking.
YSEALI is a U.S. government program that strengthens leadership development and networking in Southeast Asia. Since its launch in 2013, YSEALI has been developing the capabilities of Southeast Asian youth to promote civic engagement, environmental and natural resource management, education, economic development, and good governance through a variety of programs, including U.S. educational and cultural exchanges, regional exchanges, and seed funding. For more information about YSEALI, visit https://yseali.state.gov.
* * * *
Former World Boxing Champion Turns Adversity Into Advocacy As New Voice Of Filipino Women In Sports
 |
| Filipino female boxing world champions Norj Guro and Wenie Verano at the 50th founding anniversary celebration of the Philippine Commission on Women (Image Source: Manila Standard/Games And Amusements Board Philippines) |
Norj Guro, a professional boxer who once faced online ridicule for her appearance, has transformed adversity into advocacy. The Games and Amusements Board (GAB) recognized her achievements by selecting her to represent professional female athletes during the 50th Founding Anniversary Celebration of the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) held at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. In its official announcement made via social media, the Board stated, “As one of the outstanding female athletes in the field of non-traditionally female sports, the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) has chosen Ms. Norj Guro, professional boxer, to be the representative… Mabuhay ka, Norj Guro! Your story inspires us all. Ipinagmamalaki ka ng GAB at ng lahat ng kababaihan.”
Guro, the former Women’s International Boxing Association (WIBA) world atomweight champion, previously faced online bullying following her fight against Camilla Zamorano in October 2022 in Hermosillo, Mexico for the WBC International atomweight title. Despite her loss by unanimous decision, the mother of two has emerged as a symbol of courage and perseverance. In her heartfelt speech at the PCW event, Guro shared that her greatest challenges lay not in the ring but in overcoming personal pain and public scrutiny, saying, “Sometimes, the most painful battles are not inside the boxing ring but outside of it. I have experienced words that broke my heart. One time, I saw hurtful comments online and was bullied about my appearance during my last fight in Mexico. People mocked me and laughed at how I looked. But I chose to rise above those hurtful words.” she said.
Adding to her challenges, Guro revealed that she was still mourning the loss of her young son, who passed away during the COVID-19 pandemic. She shared, “As a mother of two, I have faced many challenges. One of the hardest was losing my child in 2021 due to COVID-19. That loss was devastating and broke me in ways I can’t even explain, but it also made me stronger. Now, every fight I take is dedicated to my son.” Despite these hardships, Guro carries her country’s flag with pride, advocating for the respect and recognition of women in sports. “Every fight, every win, I carry the name of the Philippines with pride and advocate for the recognition and respect of women in sports. To those who judge, especially when it comes to women in sports, remember this: Your words have power. When you criticize, you overlook the hard work and sacrifices behind every achievement. Sports are about heart, discipline, and effort — qualities that all athletes deserve respect for.”
* * * *
Holcim, University Of The Philippines Team Up For A More Sustainable Future
 |
| The students of UP Diliman's College of Engineering boarding Holcim Philippines' solar-powered Circular Explorer research and recycling vessel (Image Source: The Manila Times/Holcim Philippines) |
Engineering students from the University of the Philippines (UP) recently boarded the Circular Explorer, the solar-powered research and recycling vessel by Holcim currently making its rounds along coastal areas in the Philippines. Held in partnership with One Earth – One Ocean and Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation (ASSIST), the field activity is part of the elective course on Sustainable Design and Construction (CE 197) offered by the UP Diliman College of Engineering in partnership with Holcim Philippines Inc. The course teaches aspiring engineers about sustainable practices in design and construction that balances economic, environmental, and social interests—the goal of Circular Economy, a primary advocacy of Holcim Philippines.
Louis Vincent Lee, a student from the Institute of Civil Engineering of the University of the Philippines Diliman, shared about his experience on the Circular Explorer, saying, “It was an eye-opening and eye-catching experience to see all these sustainable technologies being incorporated in solving a big problem like plastic pollution in an area as infamous as Manila Bay. I hope to incorporate these things in my own field in the construction of sustainable homes and sustainable infrastructure.” Meanwhile, Assistant Professor John Christian Quero of the University of the Philippines Institute of Engineering shared his gratitude to Holcim Philippines and One Earth – One Ocean for giving the opportunity to experience its revolutionary facility, saying, “The Circular Explorer gave us an idea that science can be used to solve these problems and help elevate the lifestyle and the state of living of our fellow Filipinos.” A true testament to Holcim Philippines’ commitment to circular economy is the Circular Explorer, the first-of-its-kind 100% solar powered catamaran that recovers up to four tons of plastic waste per day to preserve vital marine ecosystems in a sustainable way. Using data collected through built-in sensors, Holcim also provides vital ocean data to support research programs of the UP Marine Science Institute (UPMSI), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and their global counterparts.
Aside from the field trip to the Circular Explorer, students of the course have also recently completed presenting their respective final projects on sustainable infrastructure using Holcim’s Sustainable Construction pillars – Healthy Planet, Thriving Communities, Viable Economics, and Uplifting Places. Holcim Philippines' Geocycle Head Samuel Manlosa Jr. shared, “Holcim Philippines is committed to circularity — a future where more materials are reintroduced into the cycle instead of ending up as waste. By educating future engineers about the importance of sustainable building practices, we are hopeful in a future economy where construction activity — and all human activity — is done within the safe limits of the planet.”
