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| (Image Source: Iconic MNL/Maya) |
Maya, the No. 1 Digital Bank in the Philippines, is bridging the credit and education gap for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSME) through its Negosyo Serye program, which merges financial literacy with seamless loan access. The program targets eligible MSME owners who operate Maya Center businesses, offering them skills in financial management, growth opportunities, and streamlined access to Maya’s lending products. Maya Centers offer a broad range of essential financial services, including remittances, bill payments, cash-in, cash-out, and reloading — creating a convenient one-stop solution for everyday financial needs.
“Financial literacy programs often leave entrepreneurs without a way to put their learning into practice. We empower MSMEs with essential financial skills and seamless access to credit — equipping them with both the knowledge and the tools to take immediate action for growth,” said Maya's Head for MSME Business and Retail Renan Santiago. Entrepreneurs like Mylene Laguio from Quezon City have already experienced the benefits. As a Negosyo agent, Laguio recently secured a Php150,000 loan through Maya Advance. She said, “With Maya’s Negosyo Serye, I got financial training, instant credit, and franchising opportunities — all in one place. It’s a faster, more complete solution that is helping me grow my business quickly and efficiently.”
MSMEs in the Philippines often struggle with financial literacy and credit access, limiting their growth potential. Maya’s NegosyoSerye addresses these obstacles by teaching budgeting, saving, and investing, alongside responsible loan use. Participants also explore business expansion opportunities, such as franchising, within the session. Qualified MSME merchants can obtain loans through Maya Advance with credit limits up to Php350,000 — all without the paperwork and collateral typically required by traditional banks. Real-time loan approval replaces the usual weeks-long wait, offering much-needed speed to small businesses. “This seamless model is part of Maya’s broader plan to create a one-stop digital ecosystem for MSMEs. By combining education, business opportunities, and fast credit, we’re eliminating the friction that holds back micro-entrepreneurs. Our goal is to make sure they can take action when ready, without the delays typical of traditional loans,” said Santiago.
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TNT’s Saya Fest Revs Up Ati-Atihan Festival 2025 In Aklan With 5G Max
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| (Image Source: MegaBites/Smart Communications Inc.) |
Celebrating 25 years of ‘saya’, Smart Communications Inc. (Smart)'s value brand TNT powered the Ati-Atihan Festival in the province of Aklan with 5G Max, an upgraded 5G experience that amped up the ‘Hala Bira’ spirit of the 2025 edition. The Ati-Atihan Festival, dubbed as ‘The Mother Of All Philippine Festivals’, highlights the province’s vibrant history and culture, and the Aklanons’ unwavering faith to the Holy Child, Señor Santo Niño. The ten-day celebration in January was jam-packed with exhilarating activities including pulse-pounding music shows, thrilling sports competitions, dazzling pageants, and the highly anticipated Sadsad Ati-Atihan contest where different tribes surged into the streets of Kalibo to show off their warrior-inspired dance routines.
To keep devotees and festivalgoers seamlessly connected throughout the celebrations, TNT boosted its network connectivity in Aklan’s capital municipality and deployed sales booths offering ‘Panalo’ promos and freebies that brought ‘Saya’ to Aklanons and their guests. TNT also added excitement to the Binibini Ng Kalibo Ati-Atihan 2025 by powering the text polling system, which allowed the public to vote for their favorite candidates to win the TNT Choice Award. TNT further ignited the revelry with ‘TNT Night’ featuring KaTropa content creator Mimiyuh and a special segment of TV5’s hit gameshow ‘Will to Win’ hosted by the legendary Mr. Willie Revillame. Lucky attendees won cash prizes, exclusive TNT merchandise, and the newest TNT Panalo Phone 5G.
“TNT remains committed to spreading ‘saya’ in major festivals across the country. With TNT’s 5G Max, our KaTropas in Kalibo can capture and share every amazing moment of their Ati-Atihan experience,” said Smart First Vice President and TNT Head Lloyd R. Manaloto. Smart and TNT’s continued enhancements of network infrastructures and communication services to support festivals highlight the PLDT Group’s commitment to promoting local culture and tourism. These initiatives also align with the group’s effort to expand access to the latest technologies like 5G, enable 5G for all, and level up customer experience across the country.
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Smart Prepaid’s Power All Offers Now Come With Unli FB Or Unli TikTok
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| (Image Source: Manila Standard/Smart Communications Inc.) |
With many young Filipinos using Facebook and TikTok to express their creativity and explore side hustles, Smart Prepaid has taken its Power All 99 offer to the next level with even more value for money products for subscribers. Now, Power All 99 comes with additional 2 GB data for a total of 10 GB of data for all sites and apps, plus a choice between Unli access to Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger or Unli access to TikTok valid for 7 days. This is complemented by Unli All Net Calls and Texts, allowing users to cover all their connectivity needs. To register to Power All 99, subscribers can simply dial *123# on their smartphone, log in to the Smart App, or head to authorized retailers nationwide.
With the enhanced Power All 99 offer, Smart Prepaid subscribers can confidently pursue their passions online without worrying about data limitations. Whether it’s starting a small online live-selling business on TikTok, setting up a shop or catalog for pre-loved items, or promoting online services such as editing or designing, livestreaming or even gaming, subscribers can rely on Power All 99 to confidently thrive in the digital world. Subscribers can also turn to Power All 99 to showcase their creativity on TikTok, engage their followers in real time, or simply browse for inspiring tips to start and grow their side hustle without running out of data. “With our enhanced Power All offer, we are truly giving our subscribers the power to do it all. This way, they can set their connectivity worries aside and just focus on their online passions and side hustles, powered by our superior mobile network,” said Smart Senior Vice President for Wireless Consumer Business Kristine A. Go.
Beyond Power All 99, Smart Prepaid also offers other denominations with bigger open access data, such as Power All 149 with additional 6 GB for a total of 16 GB for all sites and apps data for 7 days, and Power All 449 with additional 10 GB for a total of 30 GB for all sites and apps for 28 days. Just like the Power All 99, these come with either Unli Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger or Unli TikTok, plus Unli All Net Calls and Texts.
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Filipinos Test Redmi Watch 5 And More In Xiaomi All-Star Fitness Challenge
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| Fitness-minded participants taking on Xiaomi Philippines' All-Star Fitness Challenge (Image Source: Orange Magazine TV/Xiaomi Philippines) |
Fitness-minded Filipinos and Xiaomi fans pushed the momentum on their active 2025 by taking on Xiaomi’s All-Star Fitness Challenge featuring the latest Redmi devices – the Redmi Note 14 Series, Redmi Watch 5, and Redmi Buds 6. Over the course of three events in one week, the participants pushed their limits. They took on different fitness classes around the Metro to try out how the aforementioned Redmi devices can help them be more active, healthy, and fit.
On the first day of the All-Star Fitness Challenge on February 5, they started with an intense Pilates class at Fit to Live on the first day. Then on the second day on February 6, participants headed to an indoor cycling session at Cyclehouse, led by Xiaomi ambassadors. Lastly, on February 7, participants signed up to hit the bags in a boxing class at Flyweight BGC. Participants also scored Xiaomi prizes – the Xiaomi Massage Gun, Weighing Scale, and fast-charging Xiaomi PowerBanks. Throughout all three events, the Redmi Watch 5 was put through its paces as participants experienced how its features monitor their vitals and make the most of their workouts. The Redmi Watch 5 can keep up with any active lifestyle you go for. It’s got improved heart rate, sleep, and stress tracking features that work round-the-clock as well as over 150 different sports modes that can keep up with just about any activity you do. It’s even got 5ATM water resistance so you can take it in the pool, on dives, or simply any sport that can get wet.
You too can now experience the best healthy and active lifestyle with the Redmi Note 14 Series, Redmi Watch 5, and Redmi Buds 6. The Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G is now available in two variants: 12 GB + 512 GB (Php24,999) and 12 GB + 256 GB (Php22,999). Meanwhile, the Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G is available in 12 GB + 512 GB (Php19,999) and 12 GB + 256 GB (Php17,999) while the Redmi Note 14 5G is in 12 GB + 512 GB (Php16,999) and 8 GB + 256 GB (Php13,999). The Redmi Note 14 is available in 8 GB + 256 GB (Php9,999), 8 GB + 128 GB (Php8,999), and a Shopee Exclusive 6 GB + 128 GB variant (Php7,999). The Redmi Note 14 series is now available at all authorized Xiaomi stores on Shopee and Lazada, and offline. Meanwhile, the Redmi Watch 5 is now available on Shopee and Lazada for only Php5,299 while the Redmi Buds 6 is also available for only Php3,999. Get the latest Redmi devices today so you can hit your fitness goals this year!
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Philippine Airlines And Maya Team Up To Elevate The Mabuhay Miles Experience
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| L-R: Maya Head of Credit Cards Business Magdalena Surtida, Maya Chief Marketing Officer Pepe Torres, Maya Bank President Gelo Madrid, Maya Chief Operating Officer Khurram Malik, Maya Group President and Maya Bank Co-Founder Shailesh Baidwan, Maya Founder and Chief Executive Officer and Maya Bank Co-Founder Orlando Vea, Philippine Airlines President and Chief Operating Officer Capt. Stanley Ng, Philippine Airlines OIC-Executive Vice President and General Counsel Atty. Carlos Luis Fernandez, Philippine Airlines Chief Financial Officer Anna Bengzon, Philippine Airlines Vice President for Marketing Alvin Miranda, Philippine Airlines Assistant Vice President for Loyalty Gino Domingo (Image Source: Punto! Central Luzon/Philippine Airlines) |
Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) and Maya, the Philippines' leading Digital Banking App, have joined forces to take the Mabuhay Miles experience to new heights. Through this partnership, members can look forward to innovative ways to earn and enjoy their rewards, with exciting enhancements rolling out this year. “Strengthening business systems through partnerships will benefit our customers who look to us for enhanced rewards systems. We are proud of our partnership as it will boost the growth and engagement of our respective loyalty programs,” said PAL President and Chief Operating Officer Capt. Stanley K. Ng.
To kick off the partnership, Maya and Mabuhay Miles are giving users a chance to fly in Business Class for free throughout the year. By spending, saving, or borrowing money with Maya until March 31, 2025, users can earn raffle entries for international and domestic flights — bringing them closer to their next adventure. Maya Group President and Maya Bank Co-Founder Shailesh Baidwan said, “Our collaboration with Mabuhay Miles underscores our commitment to delivering innovative and meaningful financial solutions to our users. Whether they are saving, spending, or borrowing, they can now enjoy greater benefits and exclusive travel experiences through this partnership.” Building on this synergy, Mabuhay Miles and Maya are paving the way for more exciting initiatives that will redefine how Filipinos travel and manage their money.
Maya Bank President Gelo Madrid highlighted Maya’s commitment to driving financial innovations through partnerships, saying, “We value programs like Philippine Airlines’ Mabuhay Miles that can bring digital banking closer to Filipinos’ everyday lives. By working with forward-thinking enterprises, we help them create seamless, innovative, and rewarding experiences for their customers.” “We have been looking for a partner that can enhance our Mabuhay Miles program while addressing the payment solution needs of PAL and our passengers. Maya has the arsenal of products and services that will make travel payments more convenient not just for our passengers but also for PAL,” said PAL Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Anna Bengzon.
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Knowledge Channel, PACE Launch Intercollegiate Mini-Documentary Competition Focusing On UNSDGs
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| (Image Source: ABS-CBN Corporation) |
Knowledge Channel Foundation Inc. (KCFI), in partnership with the Philippine Association of Communication Educators (PACE), has announced the launch of "Class Project", an intercollegiate mini-documentary competition inviting Filipino college students to explore the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through the experiences of Filipino children. This exciting competition challenges students to create and submit compelling and impactful mini-documentaries that showcase how the SDGs – such as Quality Education, No Poverty, Good Health and Well-Being, Gender Equality, and Climate Action – affect the lives and futures of young Filipinos. Students are encouraged to be creative and tell stories that matter.
Participating students will have the opportunity to win cash prizes (Php20,000 for first place, Php15,000 for second place, Php10,000 for third place, and Php1,500 for five finalists), trophies for their schools, and certificates. Winning entries will also be featured in a month-long winner’s festival on Knowledge Channel, as well as on their social media platforms, providing valuable exposure for the student filmmakers and their work. Class Project is open to students currently enrolled in a college, university, or educational institution with faculty who are active members of PACE. Individuals or teams (maximum of 8 members) may participate.
Participants must produce a 12-15 minute video, with a minimum resolution of 1920 x 1080, that should be relevant, educational, and centered on UNSDGs and Filipino children. Entries must be submitted through the online entry form on the Knowledge Channel website including a signed Class Project Certification Form and a link to the video uploaded to a video-sharing platform. Deadline for submission is on February 28, 2025. For more information, visit www.knowledgechannel.org/classproject.
