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| (Image Source: Business Wire/Ant International) |
After Alipay debuted a smart glasses payment solution with Rokid in China, Alipay+, the unified wallet gateway service under Ant International, announced the Alipay+ smart glasses-embedded payment solution for global e-wallets. In collaboration with global industry leader Meizu, Alipay+ completed the world’s first real-world smart glasses-embedded e-wallet payment transaction in Hong Kong. The successful transaction on Meizu StarV Snap smart glasses with AlipayHK, Hong Kong’s leading superapp, marks another milestone in Alipay+’s advance at the forefront of global mobile payment innovation. Users can make seamless payments with QR scans or voice commands from their smart glasses, backed by Alipay+’s AI-powered voice interface, intent recognition, and voiceprint authentication technologies. The new feature will roll out to Alipay+ global partner e-wallets in 2025 upon the integration of Alipay+’s upgraded tech suite for smart glasses.
In April 2025, Meizu officially announced the global pioneer of offline AI glasses-enabled mobile payment function powered by Alipay+. Alipay+’s advanced payment SDK solutions are integrated into all new Meizu smart glasses, supported by Meizu’s industry-leading optical waveguide display technology, voice noise reduction and capture technology, and camera-based code scanning technology. Alipay+ is accelerating new innovations to support e-wallets’ transition into the future of seamless commerce. Today, Alipay+ connects over 1.7 billion user accounts on 36 global e-wallets, national QR schemes and banking apps to 100 million merchants across 70+ core markets. With one integration, wallet partners can access Alipay+’s expanding toolkits for customer engagement and business growth. Among these, Alipay+ now integrates QR-based and card payments via a global NFC solution. It also enables a full range of agentic AI features including MCP-based AI payments built on Alipay+ GenAI Cockpit, an AI-as-a-Service platform for fintech companies.
“The offline payment function of smart glasses launched overseas by Meizu and Alipay+ has set a new technological benchmark for the industry. The innovation in the payment scenario has enhanced the practicality and appeal of smart glasses and promoted the progress and development of the AR glasses industry. We hope this function will bring more convenient experiences to users,” said Meizu's XR Division General Manager Peng Guo. “We are grateful to work with industry leaders like Meizu to pioneer smart glasses-embedded payment solutions. By unlocking payment capabilities, smart glasses will rapidly transform into the next-gen personal device like the mobile phone. We look forward to supporting more industry partners with one integration into Alipay+‘s premium wallet ecosystem across global markets, to help them build broader user scenarios and achieve growth,” said Ant International Chief Innovation Officer Jiangming Yang.
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Eco Hotels Philippines Becomes First Filipino Hospitality Brand To Commit To 30% Plant-Based Menu Offerings By 2025
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| (Image Source: The Manila Times/Eco Hotels Philippines) |
Eco Hotels Philippines recently won praise from international non-government organization (NGO) Lever Foundation for its commitment to increasing plant-based menu offerings to 30% across all its properties by 2025, making it the first homegrown Filipino hospitality brand to formalize such a comprehensive plant-forward initiative. The expansion builds on the company’s existing sustainability framework, which has positioned it as a leader in eco-conscious hospitality. It incorporates innovative plant-based dishes while responding to growing consumer demand for environmentally responsible dining options.
The plant-based menu expansion represents a natural evolution of Eco Hotels’ established sustainable practices which include inclusive hiring from local communities, green supply chain partnerships, and eco-conscious design principles. Founded by Don Ramon Bagatsing and Alessandra Atienza with a vision rooted in environmental preservation and cultural respect, the company operates on a triple bottom line approach of People, Planet, and Profit. “Expanding our plant-based offerings reflects Eco Hotels’ core values of environmental preservation and community care. By committing to make at least 30% of our menu plant-based, we strengthen our mission to prioritize People, Planet, and Profit, while reinforcing our role as a sustainability leader in Filipino hospitality,” said Eco Hotels Philippines Chairman and Chief Vibe Officer Don Ramon Bagatsing. President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Alessandra Atienza added, “As a homegrown hospitality brand, we believe in leading by example. By committing to more sustainable food choices, we’re not only meeting the growing demand for healthier and eco-friendly options, but also reinforcing our long-standing dedication to responsible tourism.”
Marielle Lagulay, Sustainability Program Manager at Lever Foundation, which worked with Eco Hotels on developing this initiative, said, “Eco Hotels Philippines’ commitment marks a strong advancement in sustainable food service within the Philippine hospitality landscape. As the first homegrown Filipino brand to embrace this level of plant-forward commitment, Eco Hotels demonstrates how locally-rooted hospitality companies can lead meaningful environmental action while establishing new industry benchmarks.” The expansion of plant-based offerings supports Eco Hotels’ broader sustainability framework, which includes goals for reducing food waste, carbon emissions, and water usage. Research shows that plant-based proteins generate up to 90% lower greenhouse gas emissions and require up to 90% less land and water use than animal proteins, and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has found that plant-based foods generate approximately 50% less food waste than meat and dairy foods, highlighting the significant environmental benefits of Eco Hotels Philippines’ new initiative.
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Smart Collaborates With Salesforce To Deliver AI-Powered Digital Experiences For Customers On A Unified E-Commerce Website
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| (Image Source: Yugatech/Smart Communications Inc./Salesforce Philippines) |
Salesforce, the world’s leading AI CRM, recently announced that Smart Communications Inc. (Smart), the mobile services arm of the Philippines’ largest and only integrated telecommunications company PLDT Inc., will implement Commerce Cloud to create a unified digital storefront delivering a seamless and engaging experience for its more than 50 million subscribers across both prepaid and postpaid. Smart will also use Salesforce AI solutions to recommend the right plans for customers depending on their needs, improving the customer experience. The telco uses MuleSoft to enable seamless data integration across internal and third-party systems, delivering a connected customer journey across all touchpoints.
Salesforce is a global leader in AI CRM, providing trusted and autonomous AI with Agentforce and best-in-class apps for sales, service, marketing, commerce, and IT — all on one integrated platform. The project is driven by Salesforce’s Professional Services team, working with Smart to help ensure end-to-end delivery and seamless implementation. Once complete, Smart customers will be able to complete transactions online that previously required visits to physical stores, significantly enhancing convenience. This includes the purchase of new devices, applications, and renewals of phone plans, and porting of mobile numbers amongst other transactions. The storefront’s cloud-based architecture helps provide improved scalability and reliability while a mobile-first design supports omni-channel experiences. Smart also uses Service Cloud and Marketing Cloud to drive their digital transformation and better serve evolving customer needs. By integrating Commerce Cloud, Smart will be able to accelerate order management and fulfillment for a better customer experience, efficiently driving revenue growth and customer retention. Smart is also exploring extending this unified digital storefront platform to its enterprise segment.
“This strategic collaboration with Salesforce is a pivotal step in our digital transformation journey. Leveraging Salesforce Commerce Cloud’s robust architecture and omni-channel features, we are creating a seamless and intuitive platform that empowers our customers with greater convenience and access to our full suite of products and services. This initiative will not only elevate customer satisfaction but also fuel business growth by enabling continuous innovation,” said PLDT and Smart First Vice President and Head of IT and Transformation Office Gilbert Gaw. “A recognized leader in the Philippines’ dynamic telecommunications sector, Smart has an unwavering commitment to innovation and customer-centricity. We are excited to empower Smart with a modern, AI-ready platform that will enable them to connect with their customers in a more personalized and engaging way. This transformation will not only streamline their e-commerce operations but also position them for continued success in the Philippines’ competitive telecommunications landscape,” said Salesforce Regional Vice President and Country Manager for the Philippines Abraham Cuevas.
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Globe And CANVAS Launch Year-Long Exhibit Celebrating Art, Children’s Rights, And Online Safety At The National Museum
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| (Image Source: Orange Magazine TV/CANVAS) |
The halls of the National Museum are coming to life with color, curiosity, and purpose, as Globe Telecom partners with the Center for Art, New Ventures and Sustainable Development (CANVAS) to open a unique year-long exhibit titled “Tumba-Tumba: A Retrospective”. Celebrating CANVAS’ 20th year of promoting children’s literacy and Philippine art and culture, the exhibit features interactive installations, striking artworks, and powerful storytelling — all curated with young minds in focus. Designed to spark imagination and dialogue, the exhibit invites children to explore their rights, the power of creativity, and how to navigate an increasingly digital world.
“This partnership is about creating a space where learning and play come together, and where kids can better understand how to protect themselves online. Through art, we can engage children in ways that are both meaningful and memorable,” said Globe Chief Privacy Officer Atty. Irish Salandanan-Almeida. Among the exhibit’s centerpieces is the award-winning Safe Space: A Kid’s Guide To Data Privacy, a book co-produced by Globe and CANVAS that helps children understand the value of personal information and how to stay safe in the digital world. Visitors can interact with materials inspired by the book, reinforcing lessons on online boundaries, digital footprints, and respectful behavior on the internet. The exhibit is also a preview of CANVAS’ upcoming Tumba-Tumba Children’s Museum of Philippine Art, currently being built in Ibaan, Batangas. Just an hour and a half from Manila, the museum will be the first of its kind in the country — a space devoted to Filipino children, storytelling, and creativity. “We’ve always believed that art can move, teach, and transform. ‘Tumba-Tumba’ is a celebration of that belief. Thanks to partners like Globe, we’re able to bring these stories to more children — and help them grow up informed, expressive, and empowered,” said CANVAS Executive Director Gigo Alampay.
Globe’s support for the exhibit is part of its broader commitment to safeguarding children’s rights online. Over the past three years, Globe has proactively blocked more than a million URLs linked to sexual abuse or exploitation of children (OSAEC) and recently extended protections to cover AI-generated and non-photographic content. Through this exhibit, Globe continues to champion digital responsibility — reminding families that online safety starts with awareness, and that even the simplest tools, like a children’s book or a piece of art, can make a lasting difference. The “Tumba-Tumba” exhibit opened to the public last June 13, 2025 and is currently running at the National Museum for an entire year.
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Maya Pilots FINFIT Program In Schools To Promote Everyday Financial Empowerment
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| (Image Source: Manila Standard/Maya Group) |
Maya, the Philippines’ leading fintech ecosystem, has kicked off its Financial Fitness (FINFIT) Program in Mandaluyong City, engaging educators, non-teaching personnel, parents, and students in practical sessions designed to strengthen everyday financial health and literacy. The pilot was held at Ilaya Barangka Integrated School and Highway Hills Integrated School, in coordination with the Department of Education (DepEd) and in time with this year’s Brigada Eskwela. Through interactive sessions, participants were introduced to essential financial skills, including digital savings, responsible credit use, and scam prevention. Beyond financial literacy, the program emphasized building financial habits and confidence that can support household stability and long-term planning.
“Financial health goes beyond knowledge — it is about helping people feel more in control of their decisions, their resources, and their future. By equipping teachers, parents, and school communities with the right tools, we are helping lay the foundation for a more financially empowered next generation,” said Maya Head of Corporate Affairs Toff Rada. Schools are natural hubs for learning and community connections. They play a vital role not only in educating students but in shaping the behaviors and decisions of entire households. By starting within school communities, Maya’s FINFIT ensures that financial wellness becomes part of the everyday conversation among teachers, families, and future earners alike.
The Mandaluyong rollout marks the initial leg of Maya’s FINFIT Program, an initiative in support of DepEd’s goal to cultivate financially resilient learning communities. Maya is preparing to expand the program, with continued focus on reaching educators and learners who play a central role in shaping financial behaviors at home. Rada added, “Schools are where habits take root. With FINFIT, we aim to spark a culture of confidence, responsibility, and digital empowerment within Filipino families.”
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Manhattan University Visits DLSL For MOU And Culinary Exchange
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| Manhattan University's Director of Academic International Programming Dr. Emmett Ryan and De La Salle Lipa Chancellor Dr. Merlin Teodosia Suarez (Image Source: De La Salle Lipa) |
De La Salle Lipa (DLSL) welcomed Manhattan University's Director of Academic International Programming Dr. Emmett Ryan for a day of cultural exchange, academic partnership, and immersive culinary discovery last June 7, 2025. The visit marked a potential collaboration between the two institutions, particularly through Dr. Ryan’s global summer program that explores food, writing, and cultural heritage. The visit opened with a meet-and-greet and a curated Filipino snack tasting featuring puto, bibingka, pancit, turon, and other local delicacies as part of the first leg of a Batangas food tour. A ceremonial signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) followed with DLSL represented by Chancellor Dr. Merlin Teodosia Suarez, College of Education, Arts, and Sciences (CEAS) Dean Dr. Mary Ann Illana, College of International Hospitality and Tourism Management (CIHTM) Dean Ms. Evangaline Necio, and Bachelor of Arts in Communication Program Chair Ms. Joanne Jumarang, symbolizing the intent to build stronger academic ties.
The day continued with a campus tour, a reflective visit to the DLSL Novitiate, and a glimpse of local student life during the Family Summer Camp activity. Dr. Ryan also experienced the eco-friendly setting of Kapusod where he enjoyed a savory Batangueño lunch. To further immerse him in local food culture, DLSL hosted a Batangas Coffee Immersion at Café de Lipa, featuring a roasting demonstration and a brief heritage orientation. The visit concluded with a hearty tasting of Lipa’s famous lomi, underscoring the region’s rich culinary identity. The visit not only introduced Dr. Ryan to the academic and cultural strengths of DLSL but also set the groundwork for possible student exchanges and participation in his food writing course, offering Lasallians new international learning opportunities. Both DLSL and Manhattan University are members of the International Association of LaSallian Universities (IALU), a network that promotes collaboration among its member universities worldwide through facilitating the exchange of experiences, understanding trends and developments in higher education, and notion fostering cooperation and academic exchange through networks.
This academic year, De La Salle Lipa has seen a surge in vibrant international engagements and strategic partnerships — not only across Asia but also with institutions in North America. Currently, two coeds from the Hospitality Management and Tourism Management programs are undertaking their internship at La Salle Beauvais, north of Paris, France. In the coming months, even more collaborations are expected to take shape with universities and organizations from around the world. These initiatives reflect the institution’s steadfast commitment to delivering border-free education — one that transcends boundaries and connects learners globally.
(With words by Cristina Alfarita Larombi, De La Salle Lipa)
