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| (Image Source: INQUIRER.net) |
To streamline identity verification and make digital financial services more accessible to more Filipinos, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) and leading finance super app GCash are working together to enable a more accessible verification process for e-wallet accounts, in line with the country’s financial inclusion agenda. This initiative enables Filipinos to use their National ID — whether card, paper, or digital — to verify their GCash accounts and gain access to essential financial services, contributing to broader financial inclusion efforts.
The National ID system serves as a universal proof of identity that is recognized across government agencies and private institutions. While the government is continuously working toward full implementation of the National ID program, over 92 million Filipinos have already registered and more than 50 million National IDs have been delivered. By integrating eVerify in the GCash app, millions of Filipinos who have their National ID in any form can now easily authenticate their GCash accounts and gain secure access to its financial services offerings. To date, GCash remains the biggest mobile wallet in the country, with 8 out of 10 Filipinos having used GCash — a testament to its significant impact on financial inclusion. “The National ID and its authentication services ensure that transactions are more seamless, secure, and inclusive for both the public and relying parties. By integrating the National ID with financial institutions like GCash, the PSA empowers more Filipinos with access to essential financial services and equips organizations with streamlined customer onboarding and enhanced trust and security. We thank GCash for honoring the National ID in account opening and verification in line with our shared goal of accelerating financial inclusion in the country,” said PSA undersecretary Claire Dennis S. Mapa Ph.D., national statistician and civil registrar general.
Ren-Ren Reyes, president and CEO of G-Xchange Inc., the mobile wallet operator of GCash, highlighted how this cooperation strengthens digital financial inclusion, saying, “This collaboration with PSA and DICT is a testament to the commitment of GCash to making financial services more accessible. By allowing users to verify their accounts with their National ID, we are breaking barriers and ensuring that more Filipinos can seamlessly access safe and reliable digital transactions.” By automating identity verification, eVerify speeds up the Know Your Customer (KYC) process, strengthens fraud prevention, and ensures accurate identity validation, making financial services more inclusive for Filipinos nationwide. The integration marks a significant step in simplifying onboarding while ensuring secure, seamless transactions for all GCash users.
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TPB, BCDA Join Forces For Sustainability In New Clark City
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| Employees of Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) at the tree planting site in New Clark City (Image Source: Tourism Promotions Board Philippines) |
The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) partnered for a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, “TPB Goes Green: Exploring Sustainability And Tree Planting In New Clark City”, held last June 20, 2025 in celebration of the Philippine Environment Month and the recently concluded UN World Environment Day. The CSR program brought together 35 TPB employees and 15 BCDA volunteers for a full-day environmental engagement which combined a sustainability tour with a tree planting activity across a 5,375-sqm area in Sapa Kawayan. As a contribution to the area’s reforestation, a total of 171 Banaba, Molave, Lipote, Kalumpit, Narra, and Malabulak trees were planted during the activity. Participants also joined a rolling tour of key facilities including the Aquatics Center, Athletes’ Stadium, Athlete’s Village, Athletes’ Nursery, Riverpark, Filinvest Innovation Park, and Green Boulevard that showcased New Clark City’s ongoing transformation into the Philippines’ first green, smart, and disaster-resilient metropolis that is primed to be a premier destination for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism in Northern Luzon.
“It is not foreign to all of us to see and feel the effects of the climate crisis – an urgent call that compels action from every sector, including tourism. This CSR activity demonstrates our dedication to campaigning for a more sustainable and responsible tourism in the country,” said TPB Chief Operating Officer Maria Margarita Montemayor Nograles. BCDA Vice President for Investment Promotions and Marketing Erwin Kenneth Peralta and BCDA Land Management Officer Maureen Ignacio shared their agency’s efforts to build smart and sustainable liveable spaces, inspiring CSR volunteers to continuously engage in environmental and community development. The 9,450-hectare NCC has 60% of its area dedicated to green spaces. “We applaud the initiatives of our colleagues from the BCDA in their continued efforts here in New Clark City. Through your advocacy for greener technologies, energy-efficient solutions, and effective waste management systems, in no time, we are well on our way to having the first green, smart, sustainable, and disaster-resilient living hub in the country – and that is the NCC,” said Nograles.
As TPB continues to champion sustainable tourism, the agency encourages other government offices, NGOs, and community organizations to collaborate on future CSR initiatives. Nograles emphasized, “We reach out to the kind hearts of our colleagues in local government units, NGOs, and volunteers to be one with TPB by joining and collaborating in our future activities that aim to foster a mindset of protecting and safeguarding our environment. Through a whole-of-society approach, we can make anything possible.” TPB’s 35th CSR activity is officially registered on the World Environment Day Map as both agencies join global efforts to restore the planet, one tree at a time.
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PLDT Home Turns K-Drama Fantasy Into Reality With Epic Squid Game Seoul Experience
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| (Image Source: Orange Magazine TV/PLDT Home) |
PLDT Home, the Philippines’ leading digital services provider, turned dreams into reality for five lucky subscribers with their companions and top K-culture influencers – Happee Sy Go, Kring Kim, and Kristel Fulgar – by flying them to Seoul for an exclusive “Squid Game” experience. A few days ahead of the third season premiere of Squid Game, winners and their companions plus the content creators explored the heart of Korean culture and visited iconic landmarks together. Most notably, they got to enter Squid Game: The Experience – a popular interactive attraction inspired by the hit Netflix series. Launched last April, PLDT Home announced the promo with a successful press event to kick off the campaign while drawing excitement from Squid Game fans nationwide. This is a first for the telco brand as it further pushes its promise of unli-entertainment beyond the home.
With the success of its first-ever flyaway promo, PLDT Home delivered on its promise to elevate entertainment – offering subscribers not just content, but unforgettable experiences. It highlights PLDT Home’s commitment to enriching digital lifestyles beyond connectivity. “We are absolutely thrilled to have brought this unique ‘Squid Game’ experience to life for our subscribers and the vibrant K-life community. This journey to Seoul is a testament to our unwavering commitment to go beyond connectivity and deliver truly unforgettable experiences. We are incredibly grateful for the support and enthusiasm of our customers who participated in this promo. Their love for the brand truly fuels our passion to continuously elevate entertainment,” said PLDT Home Acquisition Marketing First Vice President Patrick S. Tang. As the first of many such programs, the Seoul flyaway promo is proof to PLDT Home’s intent to consistently enhance its subscribers’ experience with streaming leaders such as Netflix – with a whole world of exclusive benefits and premier entertainment waiting for them. Tang added, “This is just the beginning of many more exciting rewards and immersive experiences we look forward to bringing to the PLDT Home family. As a leading services provider, it is always our goal to offer a continuous stream of exciting rewards, innovative engagements, and unlimited entertainment activations for all our valued subscribers.”
Don’t miss out on PLDT Home’s exciting promos and rewards – get the PLDT Home Fiber Netflix Plan 1599 with up to 300 Mbps and the wide world of entertainment that comes with a Netflix Basic subscription! Learn more by heading to pldthome.com/fiber-netflix. “Experience” Squid Game right in the Philippines when you apply for a PLDT Home Fiber Netflix plan at any of the following PLDT stores: SM North EDSA, SM Megamall, SM SouthMall, SM Baguio, SM Seaside Cebu, and Abreeza Mall Davao. Enjoy a set of Squid Game-inspired games, gimmicks, and prizes at every store visit!
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National University Inaugurates New Las Piñas Campus
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| (Image Source: Orange Magazine TV/National University Philippines) |
National University (NU) proudly inaugurated its latest campus, marking a significant milestone in its ongoing commitment to providing accessible and quality education across the nation. The grand opening of the NU Las Piñas campus ushers in a new era for students in the southern part of Metro Manila, bringing the university’s renowned programs closer to their homes. The inauguration ceremony was held last June 21, 2025 at SM City Southmall with Las Piñas Mayor-elect Hon. April Aguilar, Congressman-elect Mark Anthony Santos, and NU President Dr. Renato Carlos Ermita, among other esteemed guests, present.
For years, students from Las Piñas and neighboring areas have often traveled to Manila for their tertiary education. The new NU campus significantly reduces this burden, offering a comprehensive range of programs that mirror the high standards of its main campus. “We are bringing in Las Piñas the opportunities they deserve by putting up a campus with the aim of bringing our brand of education, which we fondly call ‘Education that works’, because it is designed not only for the benefit of our students, but also the whole community, including faculty members, families, and partner industries,” said Dr. Ermita. NU Las Piñas aims to empower students to become globally competitive individuals equipped with quality education from within their community.
The new campus marks a new chapter in the shared goal of making quality education more accessible to the south. It is the university’s 14th overall campus in the Philippines and the sixth in the National Capital Region (NCR). As the doors of the NU Las Piñas campus officially open for enrollment, the National University community looks forward to welcoming its newest batch of students, ready to embark on their academic journey and contribute to the university’s rich legacy of excellence.
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Nike Signature Athlete Ja Morant To Inspire Hoopers Globally Through ‘Make Them Watch Tour’
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| (Image Source: BusinessWorld/Nike) |
Nike and Ja Morant are teaming up to inspire athletes around the world to bring their own creativity to the game with the launch of the Make Them Watch Tour, a four-country journey that further introduces Ja to the global basketball community. For his first international tour as a Nike signature athlete, Ja will connect with hoopers in the U.S., China, Japan and the Philippines, helping the next generation shape the game in their local communities and discover their sense of style and expression on the court. “Basketball is all about work and creativity — putting in that grind but also playing with your own style. I’m excited to pull up and share a piece of my journey with the next generation of hoopers around the world, and I also want to check how basketball is played in their own communities. Getting to learn new cultures through hoops is a unique opportunity, and I’m hyped about that,” says Ja.
The Make Them Watch Tour represents Ja and Nike’s commitment to giving back to the game: championing athletes, inspiring the next generation and fueling global basketball culture. The tour also reflects a shared belief in the power of basketball to build bridges between countries, challenge young athletes to chase their dreams, and create lasting impact among athletes and fans. Further, the Make Them Watch Tour will celebrate what hoopers around the world love most about Ja: his undeniable, electric style of play; his hard work, creativity and self-expression; and his dedication to powering the future of the game. Ja will kick off the Make Them Watch tour in Augusta, Georgia by inspiring young hoopers at Nike Peach Jam, the brand’s premier Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL) tournament. The tour will then take Ja to New York during a celebration of summer hoops in the city, Nike’s annual NY vs NY tournament. From New York, Ja will travel to China, where he’ll host clinics and training opportunities for local hoopers and future stars in Mission Rise 2025, a program to give talented youth a shot to become the next world-class players. He’ll then continue to Tokyo to connect with local athletes and fans while building a deeper connection with Japanese culture.
The Make Them Watch Tour will conclude in Manila where Ja will continue to lift up the next generation, create new experiences for athletes, learn local culture and grow the game. He’ll invite local high school players to watch his workout and inspire Filipino hoopers of all levels at a Make Them Watch exhibition game while in Manila, a hotbed of basketball culture. For Ja, connection to the game and its culture also extends beyond the court and he will use each stop on the Make Them Watch Tour to meet athletes and fans at Nike stores; experience the culture of the city; and explore local art, food and music.
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ANTA PH Celebrates Independence/Global Running Day With Freedom 5K Community Run In Intramuros
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| The participants of ANTA PH's Freedom 5K Run, representing the growing Running Tribe, in the historic Intramuros, Manila (Image Source: Manila Standard/ANTA Philippines) |
In the spirit of growing the ANTA Running Tribe (A.R.T.) and developing a deeper camaraderie and sense of community, ANTA PH held the Freedom 5K Run last June 12, 2025 at Intramuros, Manila. This initiative simultaneously celebrated Philippine Independence Day and Global Running Day while highlighting the continued release of the PG7 — the latest max cushioned footwear offering from ANTA Running. A.R.T., the global sportswear brand’s running collective, prides itself on its united tribe, which embraces both seasoned and beginner runners. A.R.T. aims to grow in size and form deeper connections with members through its core values of unity and camaraderie, upholding its mission with weekly runs and events for the whole local running community. With this in mind, ANTA PH decided to hold the Freedom 5K Run in Intramuros with its official hashtags being #UnitedWeRun, #CushionEvolution and #Freedom5K.
The 5K course also doubled as a tribute to one of the capital’s most historically significant districts, taking each participant on a run-walk full of panoramic scenes and views to collectively celebrate the country’s Independence Day. Coach Vans Catindoy, ANTA Philippines Running Head Coach, kicked the morning off at Café Y Ruedas with a brief rundown of the course, highlighting discussions about Intramuros’ beautiful scenery. ANTA also showcased the PG7, their latest running shoe that delivers maximum comfort and peak performance through its full-length Nitroedge foam and lightweight mesh upper. After pre-run stretching and warmups, the Freedom 5K Run commenced under the guidance of Coach Vans. The run-walk brought participants through some of the best spots in Intramuros, such as Baluarte De Dilao, as they enjoyed the company of their fellow A.R.T. members. At the end of the course, Café Y Ruedas provided post-run food and refreshments for the participants.
The Freedom 5K Run continues A.R.T.’s initiatives this year, following its recent series of community runs around the Metro. A.R.T caters to every runner at any level as a way to grow both the tribe and the local running community. For more information about the event, kindly contact ANTA Category Marketing Manager Patrick See at 09178998857. Visit all ANTA retail stores nationwide to see and purchase the PG7 in different models and colorways, available now for a retail price starting at Php2,995.
