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| At the Watsons Philippines Alagang Pangkalusugan Medical Mission in Mandaluyong City, L-R: Watsons Philippines Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance Manager Camela Tancontian; Watsons Philippines Senior Manager for PR and Sustainability Lexie Coloma; Mandaluyong City Health Officer Dr. Arnold Abalos; Watsons Philippines Senior Assistant Vice President for Marketing, PR and Sustainability Sharon Decapia; Watsons Philippines Group Senior People Business Partner and Communities Pillar Lead Gemsy Romero (Image Source: Punto! Central Luzon/Watsons Philippines) |
Watsons Philippines, the country’s leading health and beauty retailer, continues to uplift and inspire not just individuals’ health but the whole community. With this initiative comes their Watsons Alagang Pangkalusugan Medical Mission which goes around the Philippines. Marking its fourth stop this year, the Watsons Alagang Pangkalusugan Medical Mission again visited Mandaluyong City last April 29, 2025. Held at the Mandaluyong College of Science & Technology, the mission provided healthcare services to 726 beneficiaries from various barangays within Mandaluyong and neighboring cities. The medical mission offered free consultations for both children and adults, alongside essential diagnostic services including ECG, X-rays, tooth extraction, hair & skin analysis, and laboratory tests for vital health indicators such as blood sugar, cholesterol, and uric acid. Bone screening was also provided, ensuring a holistic approach to community health.
Watsons Philippines’ Senior Assistant Vice President (SAVP) for Marketing, PR & Sustainability Sharon Decapia emphasized the initiative’s alignment with the company’s broader sustainability goals, stating, “Our commitment to sustainability extends to actively supporting the health of our customers and empowering them with the knowledge to prioritize their well-being. We aim to inspire a proactive approach to health within the communities we serve.” The success of the Mandaluyong medical mission was a testament to collaborative efforts. It received strong support from the Mandaluyong local government, dedicated officers from the City Health Board, and valued partner brands. Notably, the mission also provided a meaningful opportunity for Watsons Philippines employees to actively contribute through volunteerism. A dedicated team of 30 Watsons personnel, including 20 from local partner stores in the vicinity and 10 from the head office, generously volunteered their time and effort. Decapia explained, “Our employee program actively encourages volunteerism, particularly through participation in our medical missions and other Watsons initiatives. This engagement provides our team members, especially those in our Head Office, with invaluable opportunities to connect directly with our customers and give back to our communities.”
Watsons Philippines remains steadfast in its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) commitment to enhance the health and well-being of its communities. The Alagang Pangkalusugan initiative, which has served various regions across the Philippines since 2013, exemplifies this dedication. Prior to reaching Mandaluyong, Watsons successfully conducted medical missions in Camarines Sur, Benguet, and Cebu totalling 2,585 beneficiaries so far. The Alagang Pangkalusugan medical missions are also scheduled to land more towns around the country for the rest of year. This demonstrates the program’s nationwide reach and impact. Decapia stated, “We are very happy to witness the community’s enthusiastic participation in these check-ups. We recognize that healthcare isn’t always a primary concern for some communities. Watsons is dedicated to bridging this gap by enhancing awareness and improving access to essential health services and medicines. A healthy community fosters healthy families, ultimately uplifting not just individuals but the entire fabric of society.”
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Stronger Together: Palawan Group Of Companies (PGC) And RAFI Microfinance Announce Expanded Partnership
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| (Image Source: Metropoler/Palawan Group Of Companies) |
The Palawan Group of Companies (PGC), owner and operator of the leading and most trusted pawnshop and remittance names in the Philippines, Palawan Pawnshop – Palawan Express Pera Padala (PEPP), is strengthening its commitment to grassroots entrepreneurship by forging a stronger partnership with RAFI Microfinance, Inc. The contract signing was held at the PGC Head Office in Puerto Princesa, marking a unified effort to empower and uplift micro-entrepreneurs across the country. With this partnership, RAFI Microfinance’s services will be accessible via PGC’s expansive network of over 3,500 PEPP branches nationwide. As both companies are rooted in championing financial inclusion among Filipinos, particularly those in remote or underserved areas, this strengthened alliance aims to enhance reliability and accessibility of crucial financial services – all while reducing associated travel time and costs. According to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), small businesses account for 99.59% of all registered businesses in the Philippines as of 2023, contributing more than 65% of the country’s total employment. Despite their vital role in the economy, many of these, especially those in rural or low-income communities, continue to struggle with limited access to formal credit, business development support, and scalable financial tools.
The partnership between PGC and RAFI Microfinance is a vital response to this gap, leveraging PGC’s extensive physical reach and digital infrastructure to bring RAFI Microfinance’s inclusive services closer to underserved entrepreneurs. By enhancing access to financial services at the grassroots level, the alliance is crucial in achieving PGC’s core objective of fostering inclusive growth and building a more resilient entrepreneurial ecosystem nationwide. PGC Chief Business Development Officer Lisa Lou Castro-Sabado expressed excitement about the partnership, stating, “Since day one, our mission has been to make financial services more accessible to Filipinos from all walks of life. This partnership with RAFi strengthens that mission by extending meaningful support to our micro-entrepreneurs, especially those working hard in underserved areas.” PGC Chairman Bobby L. Castro remarked, “We’ve always believed that inclusive finance is a foundation for social progress. This partnership ensures that even micro-entrepreneurs in the most remote barangays can access the resources they need to build better futures for their families and communities.”
RAFI Microfinance President and CEO Thomas Kocsis shared, “At RAFI Microfinance, we are committed to breaking barriers that limit the growth of micro-entrepreneurs. Partnering with PGC allows us to deliver our services more efficiently and reach more Filipinos who deserve access to financial opportunities and security. And since our companies share the same values, I can say that this partnership is both strategic and virtuous.” With its strong leadership in both physical and digital financial services, PGC continues to expand its role in delivering reliable, inclusive, and trustworthy solutions to millions of Filipinos. This partnership further enhances PGC’s capacity to reach more customers, particularly in rural and underserved communities, by supporting micro-entrepreneurs on their path to greater financial stability and independence, all while providing services that are “mura, mabilis, at walang kuskos balungos”(affordable, fast, and hassle-free).
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Billease And Maya Partner To Offer ‘Buy Now, Pay Later’ Via QRPh And POS Terminals
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| Maya Business Head of Enterprise Peter Thaddeus Cruz and Billease Head of POS Product Kurt Molina (Image Source: Manila Standard/Billease) |
Billease, a leading digital consumer finance platform in the Philippines, has partnered with Maya Business, the country’s largest digital payments processor, to offer its Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) service into Maya’s payment gateway and point-of-sale (POS) terminals. This partnership leverages QRPh, the national QR code standard, allowing any customer using a QRPh-enabled banking or e-wallet app to scan, pay, and split their purchases into installments through Billease. The feature will be available across thousands of merchants powered by Maya Business, both online and in-store.
“With this integration, retailers and merchants using Maya’s payment solutions can now offer customers an installment option powered by Billease, making purchases more affordable and accessible. By tapping into QRPh, we’re able to provide an open-loop BNPL solution that works across different banks and e-wallets, ensuring more Filipinos can access flexible payment options without requiring a credit card,” said Billease Head of POS Product Kurt Molina. Through Maya’s POS terminals and online checkout, customers can choose Billease at checkout, scan a QRPh code, and instantly split payments into installments. Purchases up to Php2,000 are eligible for 0% interest within one month, while higher amounts can be paid in longer terms with low-interest rates.
“This collaboration is about giving merchants and their customers a seamless and flexible way to pay, regardless of which bank or e-wallet they use. By adding the Billease option into Maya’s ecosystem and leveraging QRPh, we’re expanding financial access and helping businesses grow by making payments more convenient for their customers,” said Maya Business Head of Enterprise Peter Thaddeus Cruz. By bringing BNPL to both QRPh and Maya-powered POS terminals, Billease and Maya Business are enhancing the checkout experience for customers while giving merchants a new tool to drive sales and improve affordability.
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De La Salle Lipa And BPI Foundation Partner To Champion Financial Literacy Among Youth
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| (Image Source: De La Salle Lipa) |
De La Salle Lipa (DLSL) has officially partnered with BPI Foundation to roll out nationwide financial literacy programs aimed at preparing students to become financially responsible individuals and empowered community leaders. Launched through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the ceremonial signing happened last May 14, 2025 at DLSL's Nexus Co-Working Space, the partnership introduces two flagship programs — Fit and Unbox, a gamified platform that teaches basic financial concepts, and Breakthrough ACT, a community-based initiative that transforms financial knowledge into action.
These programs will be seamlessly integrated into De La Salle Lipa’s service-learning curriculum, ensuring that students not only gain essential financial knowledge but also take an active role in sharing it with their peers and underserved communities. Through a cascading model, trained students become mentors, extending the program’s reach far beyond the classroom and into the broader society. This approach reflects the shared commitment of DLSL and BPI Foundation to nation-building through education and empowerment. As the partnership progresses, future phases will introduce more trainers and enriched modules, underscoring both institutions’ dedication to sustaining and expanding this transformative initiative. DLSL Chancellor Dr. Teodosia Merlin Suarez echoed this, pointing out that while today’s students are tech-savvy and financially active, they need structured, values-based guidance to navigate this space wisely.
The initiative aims to turn students into future-ready citizens — savvy investors, responsible spenders, and eventually, financially literate parents and leaders. This partnership aims to cultivate financially literate youth, empowering them to manage money wisely for themselves and the future, aligning with De La Salle Lipa’s commitment to holistic education, service learning, and global citizenship.
(With words by Cristina Alfarita Larombi, De La Salle Lipa)
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GMA Integrated Newsfeed Hits 322 Million Views In First Four Months Of 2025
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| (Image Source: GMA Network) |
GMA Integrated Newsfeed, the flagship program of GMA Integrated News' Digital Strategy and Innovation Lab (DigiLab), continues to assert its digital leadership, generating over 322 million combined views on Facebook and YouTube from January to April 2025. With its bite-sized mobile-first storytelling, the program has steadily gained traction online. In just two weeks this April, over 20 of its videos surpassed the one-million-view mark on Facebook, a testament to its viral appeal and audience resonance.
Topping the list is "Walang iwanan! – 2 aso, may nakakamanghang ginawa" with 23.7 million views, followed by "5-anyos, 'di tinapos ang graduation para sa isang wish" (11.6 million) and "Lalaki, napasigaw nang makita ang sinapit ng hinahanap niyang ina" (11.4 million). The momentum extends to YouTube where GMA Integrated Newsfeed also posted its strongest performance this year with numerous videos crossing the 100,000-view threshold, underscoring the program's growing cross-platform reach. The program also resonated strongly with online audiences on TikTok, recording a remarkable 209.6 million total views. "This milestone highlights the team's significant role in delivering compelling content that connects with a wide audience. It reflects our continued commitment to relevant and timely digital storytelling. We're proud of DigiLab's creativity and dedication in pushing the boundaries of innovation," said GMA Network Senior Vice President and Head of Integrated News, Regional TV and Synergy Oliver Victor B. Amoroso.
Launched in 2020 as a rebrand of the GMA Newsfeed social newscast, GMA Integrated Newsfeed has since evolved into a mobile-first digital program and a key viewership driver for GMA Integrated News. To date, it has contributed over 2 billion views across the network's digital platforms. "GMA Integrated Newsfeed has truly come a long way, from a TV-style newscast that struggled online to now being our top-performing digital exclusive. Its success shows how GMA Integrated News has successfully listened to our audience and adapted, creating content that fits their habits: quick, mobile-first, and engaging. It's a reminder that meeting people where they are is key to staying relevant in today's fast-moving digital space," said GMA Integrated News Senior Manager and Deputy Head of DigiLab Bernice Sibucao. Audiences can catch GMA Integrated Newsfeed on Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and Reddit.
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Dunk City Dynasty Now Available Worldwide On Android And iOS
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| (Image Source: GamingPH.com/NetEase Games) |
NetEase Games is thrilled to announce the launch of Dunk City Dynasty worldwide on mobile devices. The street basketball spectacle officially licensed by the NBA and NBPA is now available free-to-play for Android and iOS after gathering over 5 million pre-registrations. Players can download the game at https://l33na.onelink.me/OkZD/koac04cw and start their career today to collect various rewards unlocked by the massive amount of community effort ahead of release. Featuring international basketball stars to collect, customize and take into various fast-paced 3v3 and 5v5 game modes, Dunk City Dynasty delivers on its slogan: Ain’t No Bounds! Leading up to the release, Filipino basketball icon Jordan Clarkson has been announced as the Dunk City Dynasty brand ambassador while Kendrick Perkins will be available as a special guest commentator in-game. Both got their hands on the game early and shared first impressions in two cool promo clips:
Perkins in the Paint ft. Kendrick Perkins:
How Pros Do it ft. Jordan Clarkson:
These are only the first athlete and celebrity collaborations coming to Dunk City Dynasty, so stay tuned for more soon! Thanks to the massive community effort to reach millions of sign-ups for the global release, all pre-registration rewards have been unlocked and players can look forward to various goodies upon their first login, including free star player Jonathan Kuminga. Additionally, Dunk City Dynasty launches with a content-packed first season, including various Superstar players, cosmetics, battle pass, a number of in-game events with free rewards and more:
• 7 Superstars and 12 Elite Players, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokić
• Unlock 10 NBA stars, 300 Draws and 5,100 Diamonds by completing daily & monthly login tasks
• 30 NBA team jerseys
• Limited-time Season 1 ‘Dynamic Zone’ Costume in the battle pass
• A series of events with tons of in-game rewards, like the Summer Revelry, Login Bonus, Rookie plans and more
Dunk City Dynasty is an officially licensed street basketball mobile game featuring stars like Stephen Curry, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Paul George, Luka Dončić, Nikola Jokić as well as renowned NBA teams – from the Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers to the Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics. To learn more about Dunk City Dynasty please visit the following online platforms:
• Website: https://www.dunkcitymobile.com/#/
• Discord: https://discord.com/invite/dunkcitydynastyglo
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dunkcitydynastyglobal
• Twitter/X: https://x.com/citydynastyglo
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dunkcitydynastyGLO
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dunkcitydynastyGLO/
