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| NBA On Prime Studio (Image Source: Sports Video Group/Prime Video) |
Prime Video Sports unveiled the new NBA on Prime Studio last October 14, 2025 with an exclusive preview at Amazon MGM Studios in Culver City, California, U.S.A. which was attended by Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios executives and NBA on Prime on-air talents including basketball legends Blake Griffin, Dirk Nowitzki, Steve Nash, Udonis Haslem, John Wall, Rudy Gay, Candace Parker, Dwyane Wade, Swin Cash and Brent Barry along with host Taylor Rooks, announcer Ian Eagle, sideline reporters Cassidy Hubbarth and Allie Clifton, analyst Stan Van Gundy and more.
The evening opened with red carpet arrivals followed by a 30-minute program demonstrating the new studio’s capabilities, introducing on-air talent and highlighting what fans can expect from NBA on Prime. The program included a discussion between Eagle and Prime Video Head of Global Live Sports Production Jared Stacy and continued with a panel moderated by Rooks featuring Nowitzki, Nash, Haslem, and Griffin. Haslem invited Wall, Gay, Parker and Wade to the stage to demonstrate how the studio’s all-LED regulation half court will be used throughout the season. The program concluded with a celebratory toast for the NBA on Prime Launch by Wade and Parker. Designed to transcend the concept of a traditional TV set and bring fans closer to the game, the NBA on Prime studio features a dynamic landscape for premiere NBA coverage headlined by an all-LED regulation half court and basketball hoop, America's largest high-resolution studio floor in America, as a technical and cultural centerpiece of the NBA on Prime studio show which will be used for demonstrations and more. The main anchor desk will be shot from the second level mezzanine of the multilevel set, ensuring depth and constant view of the court, while the lounge area used primarily for the NBA Nightcap postgame show will curate an inviting atmosphere making viewers feel at home with the NBA on Prime team as they interview guests and dive into deep analysis of the game. The space will be wrapped in 2300 LED monitors to create an immersive experience for viewers.
NBA on Prime tips off on October 24, 2025, Friday (October 25, 2025, Saturday), with a doubleheader featuring the Boston Celtics at New York Knicks at 7:30 pm ET (Saturday, 7:30 am PHT) followed by Minnesota Timberwolves at Los Angeles Lakers at 10:00 pm ET (Saturday, 10:00 am PHT). Coverage begins at 7:00 pm ET (Saturday, 7:00 am PHT) with the NBA on Prime pregame show, live from Culver City. The all-star studio team will also provide half-time coverage. Every game night will be followed by NBA Nightcap, a one-hour postgame show featuring player interviews and in-depth analysis of the game. In between doubleheaders, Prime will bridge games with The Crossover, continuing live coverage from the NBA on Prime studio.
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SM City La Union Opens As The New Gen Z Destination Up North
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| SM City La Union (Image Source: Manila Bulletin/SM Supermalls) |
SM City La Union is changing the Elyu experience. The recently opened 89th SM mall captures Gen Z’s lifestyle with coastal design, indoor greenery, and social spaces built for the new generation’s way of living. Near the shores of San Fernando, the mall blends Elyu’s surf culture with a modern retail experience and features curated zones for fashion, collectibles, beauty, and wellness that reflect Gen Z’s taste for individuality. Every detail embodies the innovative, sustainable, and evolving identity of the new SM Supermalls.
The architecture draws inspiration from the rhythm of the sea and the strength of the shore, featuring a façade of clean lines, local stonework, and lush greenery that blends seamlessly into the landscape. Inside, circular skylights fill the mall with natural light. At the same time, the Grand LED Staircase ripples with wave-like motion beneath a chandelier of seashells and rattan, showcasing local craftsmanship and La Union’s coastal charm. At the heart of the mall is The Boardwalk, a coastal lifestyle zone featuring local cafés, themed restaurants, and gourmet food trucks. From there, visitors have direct access to The Sandbox, where they can play volleyball, enjoy daily live entertainment, and relax in the sea breeze. Indoors, wide glass spans and skylights create a bright, open atmosphere perfect for photos and gatherings. Marking the opening is an art installation by Filipino artist Leeroy New, created with bamboo and recycled materials. The piece symbolizes creativity, sustainability, and renewal, reflecting SM City La Union’s commitment to local artistry and green initiatives.
“SM City La Union captures Elyu’s youthful energy. It mirrors our customers’ lifestyle: vibrant, connected, and creative. This is our pledge to bring new experiences to every generation. It is all for you,” said SM Supermalls President Steven Tan. SM City La Union is more than a shopping destination. It is a cultural hub for Gen Z — an urban beach resort where community, creativity, and sustainability meet. This is not just a mall. This is your Elyu story, reimagined for a new era.
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Barça Academy Manila Opens Official Home At Arca South Pitch
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| (Image Source: Manila Standard/Barça Academy Manila) |
Barça Academy Manila officially inaugurated its new home at the Arca South Football Field, marking a major milestone for FC Barcelona’s global youth football network and for the growth of grassroots football in the Philippines. The event was graced by Barça Legend and current Barça Academy Sports Director Sergi Barjuan alongside Barça Academy Asia & Middle East Technical Head Fran Pujol. Their presence underscored the club’s deep commitment to developing Filipino youth through the Barça Way — a football philosophy that blends technical excellence with the core values of respect, effort, ambition, teamwork, and humility.
Fresh from celebrating its first anniversary and the completion of its new home pitch, Barça Academy Manila welcomed hundreds of young footballers and families who gathered for the historic occasion. The day featured friendly matches, a community picnic, and a ceremonial opening that turned the Arca South grounds into a lively celebration of passion, teamwork, and unity. “This inauguration represents a lasting commitment to Filipino youth — giving them the chance to learn, grow, and live under the model and the values that define FC Barcelona,” said Barça Academy Manila Local Project Director Joel Llinas. Through the Academy, Filipino players gain access to FC Barcelona’s global training network and unique opportunities such as the Barça Academy World Cup in Barcelona and elite training camps at La Masia, the club’s famed youth development center that produced football greats like Lionel Messi, Andrés Iniesta, and Xavi Hernández. Beyond Metro Manila, the Academy has already begun expanding its reach with regional camps held in Cebu and an upcoming program in Davao this December 2025, reflecting its goal to nurture talent nationwide.
Barça Academy Manila is part of FC Barcelona’s network of more than 30 academies worldwide which train tens of thousands of young players each year. These programs don’t just focus on technical skill but also emphasize personal growth, discipline, and the joy of the game — the very principles that define the club’s success both on and off the pitch. With its new home at Arca South, Barça Academy Manila aims to continue inspiring the next generation of Filipino footballers to dream big, play with purpose, and live the beautiful game the Barça way.
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Anna Magkawas Headlines Village Pipol’s 18th Anniversary
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| (Image Source: The Manila Times/Village Pipol Magazine) |
Village Pipol Magazine celebrated its 18th anniversary last October 15, 2025 at The Vibe Arcovia, marking a debut of growth, gratitude, and inspiration. With the theme “Powered By Roots, Thriving Into The Future”, the event gathered over 100 brands, partners, and friends of the magazine for a night that honored legacy. The milestone signified more than longevity — it represented maturity and purpose. Just like a debut, it was a coming-of-age moment for Village Pipol, reflecting on the community and partnerships that have helped it grow while embracing the vision of the years ahead. At the center of this celebration stood Anna Magkawas, entrepreneur and cover personality of Village Pipol’s 18th anniversary issue. Her story of resilience, groundedness, and determination perfectly embodied the essence of this year’s theme.
Known for her role as a business leader of Luxe Beauty and Wellness Group and an empowering figure for many aspiring entrepreneurs, Anna’s journey is a reflection of Village Pipol’s own story: built through relationships, resilience, and authenticity. Her feature in the anniversary issue highlights the strength that comes from being grounded in one’s beginnings, while continuously striving for growth. “Success means nothing if you forget the people who were with you from the very beginning. Always stay rooted, remain humble, and never think too highly of yourself.” Anna’s presence reminds everyone that true success is a shared story. Just as Village Pipol has grown through the support of its partners and readers, Anna’s success is proof that no one thrives alone — it takes a village to build a legacy. Village Pipol’s Sales and Marketing Head Regino Rubi shared why Anna was the perfect choice for this milestone cover, stating, “She truly deserves to be the main cover. Even now that she’s at the peak of her success, we still see her working with the same people, finding time for her family, and always putting her Luxers at the heart of her business.” The 18th anniversary celebration shimmered under the concept “Gilded Origins” with guests in black, silver, and gold, symbolizing strength and triumph. The night was filled with stories, toasts, and shared gratitude; a moment that looks forward to a future fueled by the same passion that started it all.
This celebration underscored Village Pipol’s ongoing commitment to celebrating authentic stories of people who rise by staying true to their roots. As the publication moves forward, it continues to thrive on the same values that shaped it from the start: credibility, creativity, and connection. Anna Magkawas’ feature serves as a reminder of what it means to thrive into the future while remaining deeply rooted in purpose. Her journey mirrors the very spirit of Village Pipol built by community, strengthened by collaboration, and guided by authenticity. As the magazine turns a new page, it carries with it the message that success is never solitary — it’s shared, nurtured, and grown by a village. And in celebrating 18 years of stories and strength, Village Pipol Magazine remains steadfast in its mission to honor the people who make every milestone possible.
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Mang Inasal Brings Home Grand Prix Wins For The Philippines At Regional Marketing Awards
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| Mang Inasal Digital and Public Relations Director RJ Rodillo and Digital Content and Community Relations Manager Dezza Alvarez with the Grand Prix Award trophies for Mang Inasal at the 2025 Marketech Asia-Pacific Empowered Women Awards (Image Source: Mang Inasal) |
Mang Inasal, Philippines’ Grill Expert, earned top honors at the 2025 Marketech Asia-Pacific Empowered Women Awards held recently at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Singapore. The brand was named Company of the Year while its Digital and Public Relations Director RJ Rodillo took home the Woman Marketing Leader of the Year, the highest distinctions of the evening.
“These Grand Prix wins reflect more than creativity. They reflect the heart, commitment, and unity of the entire Mang Inasal team. We dedicate these awards to our people and our customers. Their love for Mang Inasal inspires us to keep serving meals that connect families, friends, and communities, and this recognition reminds us why we do what we do every day,” said Mang Inasal president Mike V. Castro. The brand also brought home Gold Awards for Love The Flavors, Love The Philippines (Integrated Marketing), the Mang Inasal Nation Facebook Group (Customer Engagement), and RJ Rodillo for Empowered Woman in F&B Marketing alongside a Bronze for MANGINASAL.PH under Consumer Insights Campaign category. The Marketech Asia-Pacific Empowered Women Awards celebrates visionary women in marketing and technology for their groundbreaking contributions and lasting influence in the Asia-Pacific.
In addition, Mang Inasal’s winning streak continued at the foodpanda 2025 CRAVE Partner Summit and Awards where it received the Pau-Pau’s Top of Table Silver Award for exceptional sales performance and leadership in the Meals & Mains category. The CRAVE Awards, which stands for Celebrating Relationships & Advancing Valuable Experiences, recognizes top partner vendors for sales leadership, campaign performance, operational efficiency, and customer preference. With these honors, Mang Inasal reinforces its position as a leader in marketing, customer engagement, and brand excellence both in the Philippines and across the Asia-Pacific region.
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Philippine Startup Week 2025 Returns: Scaling Filipino Startups To Global Heights
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| (Image Source: adobo Magazine/Innovation Startup Act Steering Committee) |
Philippine Startup Week (PHSW) 2025 returns on November 10–14, 2025 to champion Filipino innovation and empower startups to expand beyond local borders. The country’s premier startup gathering, themed “Scaling Filipino Innovation: Start Local, Go Global”, will feature insights on the world-class nature of local startups and how they can seize opportunities to broaden their impact globally. PHSW has been organized by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) for the past six years.
In 2024, the three esteemed government agencies unite to form the Innovation Startup Act (ISA) Steering Committee, bolstering the government’s support for startups and innovations in the country. This year’s conference, with the National Development Company (NDC) — in collaboration with the Strategic and Collaborative Alliance for Leveraging Ecosystems of Startups–National Capital Region (SCALE–NCR), will take a bolder approach to help local startups thrive on the global stage. The festivities celebrating Filipino ingenuity extend beyond talks and panels. Philippine Startup Week 2025’s main conferences will be in the newly opened Philippine Innovation Hub in Marikina. Within those five floors, delegates will find multiple conference stages, community events, a startup expo, and partners’ booths. The week-long celebration is anchored on five signature tracks that define the Philippine Startup Week experience: (1) Discover – exploring technopreneurship, the local startup ecosystem, and how to launch a venture; (2) Collaborate – working with key stakeholders to amplify innovation and growth; (3) Develop – strengthening ideas through mentorship and support to scale; (4) Showcase – highlighting tech startups through nationwide pitching opportunities; and (5) Invest – fueling breakthrough ventures that shape the future. Attendees can hear from the ISA on upcoming initiatives to strengthen the country’s startup ecosystem, and network with prominent startup enablers, champions, venture capital (VC) firms, and top startups of the country.
Philippine Startup Week 2025 is the country’s largest startup conference dedicated to showcasing Filipino innovators who create solutions for local and global challenges. It’s the space for collaboration, connection, and inspiration. Founders, investors, advocates, and anyone interested in exploring the Philippine startup community are invited to participate. Visit www.phstartupweek.com for all things Philippine Startup Week 2025 — from participant registration to exhibitor, partner, and community event opportunities.
