 |
| (Image Source: INQUIRER.net/Cebuana Lhuillier) |
Cebuana Lhuillier continues to champion financial inclusion by joining the government-led Lab For All caravans, a nationwide initiative that brings both healthcare and community empowerment to underserved Filipinos. Guided by its vision of financial inclusion and empowerment for every Filipino, the company integrates its business expertise and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) advocacies to ensure that communities gain not only access to medical services but also the financial tools needed to build better futures. “At Cebuana Lhuillier, we believe in empowering Filipinos to build better futures for themselves and their families. Our participation in the Lab for All caravan aligns with our mission to bring financial services and opportunities directly to the communities that need them most,” says Cebuana Lhuillier President and CEO Jean Henri Lhuillier.
Lab For All is the flagship healthcare initiative of First Lady Louise “Liza” Araneta-Marcos, supported by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. Beyond providing healthcare through free medicines, consultations, and mobile laboratory services, the program also emphasizes entrepreneurship and innovation, linking local talents with experts and investors for lasting community impact. Since the launch of the first caravan in Batangas City in May 2023, Cebuana Lhuillier has been a consistent partner in 47 Lab For All events — from Tacloban and Sorsogon to Quezon City and General Santos. At each stop, the company’s Kanegosyo Centers have offered invaluable resources including Cebuana Micro Savings accounts paired with complimentary Ipon Boxes that transform saving into a rewarding habit, ProtectMax Insurance plans that shield families from financial shocks, and hands-on workshops guiding aspiring entrepreneurs toward sustainable businesses. These initiatives uplift communities and strengthen family resilience by addressing every stage of the financial journey — saving, protecting, and building.
The success of Lab For All demonstrates the extraordinary progress that can be achieved when public and private sectors unite with a shared purpose. Just as Lab For All delivers much-needed healthcare to underserved communities, Cebuana Lhuillier brings the promise of financial inclusion, accessibility, and livelihood support — ensuring that every Filipino not only survives, but thrives.
* * * *
Building Champions: Hans Sy’s Vision Powers PH Ice Sports
 |
| SM Prime Executive Committee Chairman Hans T. Sy with Asian Skating Union President Myong Hi Chang at the opening ceremonies of the 2025 Asian Open Figure Skating Trophy held at SM Skating Mall of Asia (Image Source: Manila Standard/SM Prime Holdings Inc.) |
For more than three decades, SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SM Prime) has championed sports development by investing in accessible facilities and programs that help Filipinos get into the game and progress their skills. The journey began with SM Prime Executive Committee Chairman Hans T. Sy’s early foresight in September 1992, setting a long-term vision to make world-class sports development, training and overall experiences part of everyday mall life. At the heart of this effort is the SM Skating Academy, the premier program designed to nurture the ice skating skills of individuals of all ages, backgrounds, and skill levels. From taking your first glide at the Learn to Skate program to advancing into Figure Skating, Ice Hockey, or Speed Skating, the Academy serves as every skater’s roadmap to becoming a champion on the ice.
SM’s commitment to sports development is already evident in the journeys of Filipino athletes who have made their mark on the international stage. Michael Martinez, the first Filipino and Southeast Asian figure skater to qualify for the Winter Olympics, now shares his expertise as a full-time coach at SM Skating. Rising talents like Skye Chua, who will compete in the 2025 Winter University Games, and Cathryn Limketkai, who placed in the Top 10 of the Women’s Singles Short Program at the 2025 Asian Winter Games in Harbin, China, highlight the growing potential of local athletes. Meanwhile, Hans Matthew Buemio, the first homegrown Filipino skater to qualify for and compete in the ISU Junior World Cup Series in short track speed skating, represents the success of grassroots training. Beyond figure skating, the Philippine Women’s Ice Hockey Team also recently brought pride to the country by emerging as champions at the 2025 IIHF Women’s Asia Cup in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. Beyond the ice, SM is building vibrant sports ecosystems through SM Game Park and SM Bowling, hubs that nurture talent and community participation across Billiards, Bowling, Table Tennis, and Archery. Complementing these are permanent Pickleball courts now open across various SM malls, giving more people more spaces to get moving, compete, and connect.
“Building our malls has always gone hand-in-hand with planning how our spaces can serve as platforms for growth — including sports. By creating venues like SM Skating, we give young athletes the opportunity to train, build discipline, and prepare themselves for global representation. Here, kids, parents, first-timers, and pros alike can start, stay, and succeed in sport,” said Hans Sy. For those interested, the SM Skating Academy is now accepting enrollees. For more information and registration, email smlearntoskate@gmail.com.
* * * *
Alipay+ And Grab Make Ride Hailing Services Available To Global Digital Wallet Users Via Alipay+ Voyager
 |
| L-R: Grab Managing Director of Group Business Development Chuck Kim, Managing Director, Grab Head of Mobility Samir Kumar, Ant International General Manager of Alipay+ Travel Solutions Scarlett Xing, Ant International President Douglas Feagin (Image Source: Grab) |
Alipay+, Ant International’s global wallet gateway, and Grab, Southeast Asia’s leading superapp, have announced the integration of Grab’s ride-hailing services into Alipay+ Voyager, its inbuilt end-to-end AI travel agent. This will make local transportation services in Southeast Asia more accessible for users of Alipay+ Voyager, who can now book rides directly from within their digital wallets. Through this integration, Alipay+ and Grab are further deepening their partnership, which began in 2023 by allowing consumers to use their home e-wallets to make payments on the Grab app. Now, users can book Grab’s ride-hailing services directly from within the same e-wallet, without needing to download an additional app.
Launched in mid-2025, Alipay+ Voyager is currently available in Alipay (Chinese mainland), AlipayHK (Hong Kong SAR, China) and GCash (the Philippines), and will roll out to more partners throughout the year. Users travelling to all eight Southeast Asian destinations where Grab is available – Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar – can simply access Grab directly within Alipay+ Voyager. This integration removes friction in the customer journey by allowing users to access ride-hailing services seamlessly within an ecosystem they already know and trust, for a fuss-free travel experience in Southeast Asia. “With Southeast Asia growing in popularity as a travel destination, making Grab’s services directly available within Alipay+ partner apps offers users the most comprehensive and trusted local transportation across the region. Alipay+ Voyager will continue to expand our ecosystem, particularly across essential travel services, to connect more partners with mobile-savvy travellers, while we collaborate to create new ways of engagement across the entire travel journey,” Ant International General Manager of Alipay+ Travel Solutions Scarlett Xing.
“We’re thrilled to strengthen our partnership with Alipay+ Voyager to deliver safe and reliable ride-hailing services for more travellers visiting Southeast Asia. This collaboration underscores our shared commitment to enhancing the travel experience and providing greater convenience for millions of users,” said Grab Head of Mobility Samir Kumar. Alipay+ connects 36 leading payment partner apps with more than 1.7 billion user accounts to over 100 million in-store merchants in 70 markets. Complementing its cross-border payment capabilities, Alipay+ is developing digital services for its partners including rewards, in-app tax refunds and Alipay+ Voyager.
* * * *
FEU, LinkedIn Seal Partnership To Strengthen Online Learning
 |
| L-R: FEU Vice President for Human Resources Carlos Valencia, FEU President Juan Miguel Montinola, LinkedIn APAC Senior Director of Talent Solutions (Asia) Lisa Skowron Mota, LinkedIn Philippines Country Manager Bhavana Chauhan (Image Source: Far Eastern University) |
The Far Eastern University (FEU) Group of Schools and LinkedIn have formally entered into a partnership to integrate LinkedIn Learning into the university’s academic and professional development programs through a signing ceremony which took place last September 9, 2025 at the FEU Manila Multipurpose Hall, with representatives from both FEU and LinkedIn in attendance. The partnership, the first large-scale collaboration between LinkedIn and a Philippine university, will provide students, faculty, and staff access to LinkedIn Learning’s vast library of expert-led courses, covering business, technology, and creative skills. The initiative is part of FEU’s continuing effort to prepare its community for the demands of a rapidly evolving workforce.
Under the collaboration, select General Education (GE) courses at FEU have already incorporated LinkedIn Learning modules. Among these are Language Enhancement and Proficiency, Purposive Communication, Philippine Popular Culture, and Science, Technology, and Society. Students who complete recommended course modules may also qualify for LinkedIn Learning certification. Faculty members and staff likewise benefit from the platform with access to personalized learning paths that complement curricula and support professional growth. FEU President Juan Miguel Montinola welcomed the collaboration as a strategic step in enhancing the university’s academic and workforce readiness, stating, “At FEU, we believe that learning is holistic, pace driven onsite, and on demand offsite. LinkedIn Learning complements both with curriculum appropriate and complementary material to prepare our students, faculty, and staff for the future of work. Our partnership with LinkedIn ensures that the Tamaraw community has access to relevant and current content to strengthen skills, broaden perspectives, be comfortable outside comfort zones and empower to pursue meaningful careers and hopefully lives in an increasingly competitive global environment.”
“Skills are changing faster than ever, especially with the impact of AI, and it’s never been more important for professionals to keep pace. LinkedIn’s Economic Graph estimates that job skills in the Philippines will change by 67% by 2030, compared to 70% globally. Having a growth mindset and a commitment to continuous learning will be key — not just for young people starting their careers, but also for educators who are shaping the next generation in an industry that itself is transforming. That’s why this partnership with FEU matters: by upskilling the Tamaraw community in emerging areas such as AI literacy, data analysis, and digital marketing — alongside building students’ professional brand and career readiness — we are helping to set them up for long-term success,” said LinkedIn APAC Senior Director of Talent Solutions (Asia) Lisa Skowron Mota.
* * * *
Megaworld Lifestyle Malls, S.I.L.Y.A., And UST Atelier Celebrate Grandparents’ Day With Seated In Sentiment Rocking Chair Art Exhibition
 |
| (Image Source: Philippines Graphic/Megaworld Lifestyle Malls) |
In celebration of Grandparents’ Day, Megaworld Lifestyle Malls, together with S.I.L.Y.A. (Sa Iyo Lola At Lolo, Yantok Aming Alay) and the UST Atelier Alumni Association Inc., proudly launched the Seated in Sentiment: A Rocking Chair Art Exhibition at the Eastwood Mall Atrium. The collaborative project brought together advocacy, artistry, and community in a heartfelt tribute to grandparents — honoring their love, legacy, and enduring presence in our lives. The launch was led by S.I.L.Y.A. Founder Tito Alcala; Megaworld Lifestyle Malls Senior Assistant Vice President (SAVP) and Head of Brand, Creatives, and Marketing Tinay Villanueva; Eastwood City General Manager Kux Quiogue; UST Atelier Alumni Association Inc. President Marissa Pe Yang, Auditor and Vice President for Advertising Raul Isidro, Public Relations Officer Patrick Naval, and Fil Dela Cruz; and Artistshop Company Inc. Managing Director Elaine Antolin.
At the heart of Seated in Sentiment is a collection of rocking chairs — each one thoughtfully transformed into a unique work of art by distinguished Thomasian artists. Beyond their visual beauty, the chairs embody the very essence of S.I.L.Y.A.’s advocacy: providing comfort, respect, and a sense of belonging to the elderly in public spaces. By situating these artistic rocking chairs within the mall, the project not only offers seniors a place to rest but also presents visitors with the opportunity to purchase the chairs and directly support the advocacy. Founded by Tito Lorete Alcala, S.I.L.Y.A. was born from a simple yet powerful idea to ensure that senior citizens have spaces where they can sit, rest, and feel valued. Through its symbol — the rocking chair — the advocacy continues to champion the care, comfort, and dignity of grandparents everywhere. The UST Atelier Alumni Association Inc. gathered talented Thomasian artists to breathe life into each chair. Each chair in the exhibit was hand-painted by local artists, showcasing their distinct styles, concepts, and stories. These include Fil Dela Cruz, Flor Baradi, Alice Bernados, Lemuel Blanco, Franklin Caña, Janos Delacruz, Maryrose Gisbert, Patrick Naval, Joey Ofludor, Nestor Perez Ong, Jo Rebustillo, Gean Sollestre, Vanessa Tria, and Melissa Villaseñor.
“This project holds a profound meaning not just for our malls, but for the communities we serve,” said Ms. Kux Quiogue, General Manager of Eastwood City. “By honoring our grandparents through both advocacy and art, Seated in Sentiment reminds us to cherish their legacy, respect their needs, and celebrate the timeless role they play in our lives,” said Eastwood City General Manager Kux Quiogue. The Seated in Sentiment Rocking Chair Art Exhibition is now open at the Eastwood Mall Atrium, inviting guests to explore the collection, celebrate the artistry, and take part in an advocacy that continues to support and celebrate our grandparents. The rocking chairs will be distributed across Megaworld Lifestyle Malls — including Eastwood City, Uptown Bonifacio, McKinley Hill, Lucky Chinatown, San Lorenzo Place Mall, Southwoods Mall, and Twin Lakes — giving grandparents and mallgoers in different communities an opportunity to enjoy and experience these meaningful works of art.
* * * *
Load Up, Level Up: Smart Supports Sustainable Livelihoods Through Digital E-Loading
 |
| (Image Source: Orange Magazine TV/Smart Communications Inc.) |
For many Filipinos, selling mobile load is more than just a side hustle, it’s a lifeline. To make mobile load more accessible through the Hatchiko app, mobile services provider Smart Communications Inc. (Smart) is enabling PLDT Employees Multi-Purpose Cooperative (TELESCOOP) members to earn extra income through a streamlined, digital e-loading experience. “At Smart, we believe that technology should uplift lives. By making load accessible through Hatchiko and TELESCOOP, we’re helping everyday earners build small but more sustainable side businesses, supported by our expanding 4G and 5G network,” said Smart Assistant Vice President and Head of Key Accounts Modern Trade Christian So.
The Hatchiko app simplifies e-loading operations, allowing users to manage transactions, monitor earnings, and serve customers — all from their mobile phones. It’s a practical way to supplement income and reach more customers without needing a storefront. Hatchiko offers a range of services for its users, including solutions to integrate platforms, manage bulk transactions, or process e-load. “Our goal is to reshape how load reselling works by offering a digital platform that simplifies the entire process. Through the Hatchiko app, we’re empowering individuals with tools that make loading more efficient, transparent, and scalable — so they can manage their transactions with ease and grow their businesses sustainably,” said Hatchiko President Bill Vergel Mendoza. TELESCOOP, a long-standing cooperative serving PLDT employees and affiliates, has embraced digital transformation to better serve its members. Making Smart load accessible through Hatchiko adds a new income stream to its growing suite of digital services. “This gives our members a meaningful opportunity to grow their income. It’s a small shift with a big impact — especially for those looking to build something of their own,” said TELESCOOP Chairperson Benedicto Portugal.
Smart e-load has been one of the fastest selling products for resellers and retailers across the country since it was introduced in 2003. A world-first innovation in mobile communication, Smart e-load marked the birth of prepaid services, democratizing access to mobile communication for Filipinos and enabling easier communication across the nation and overseas. As Smart continues to expand its network nationwide, this initiative reflects its commitment to inclusive growth — where technology becomes a tool not just for connection, but for progress.
