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| (Image Source: Orange Magazine TV/PepsiCo) |
Sting Energy, the electrifying energy drink by PepsiCo and the Official Team Partner of Formula 1 (F1®), shifts into a new gear as it partners with the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team. In a first-of-its-kind moment for both Formula 1 and brand partnerships, Sting Energy and Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team let the car deliver the news through a digital film. No podium. No script. Just a precision-tuned lap where the engine’s roar sharpened into an unmistakable “STINGGGGGG”.
The announcement not only announces the partnership but also sets the tone for what Sting will bring to race weekends – more energy, more speed, and a deeper connection between fans and the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team. Soon after the video dropped on Instagram, leading creators took to social media to share their reactions and excitement about the news and the way it was communicated creatively by a car. “This partnership unites performance, energy, and flavor under one banner – connecting three of PepsiCo’s most iconic brands with the world’s most successful Formula 1 team. Through Gatorade, Sting, and Doritos, we’re inside the culture of the sport, fueling both the athletes and the fans who live for the thrill of F 1. Partnering with Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula 1 Team reflects our shared commitment to performance, innovation, and excellence – values that define both our organizations,” said PepsiCo International Beverages Chief Executive Officer Eugene Willemsen.
Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team Principal and Chief Executive Officer Toto Wolff said, “Welcoming a company with a portfolio as strong as PepsiCo’s into our partner ecosystem is another sign of the strength of our team and our sport. As a brand, they align perfectly with our ethos of chasing ultimate performance through innovation and excellence. Gatorade’s expertise in sports science, Sting’s youthful energy, and Doritos’ cultural relevance each bring something unique. Together, they create a partnership that not only supports our team’s performance but also enhances the experience for our fans around the world.” Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team Chief Commercial Officer Richard Sanders said, “We’re delighted to welcome PepsiCo to the team. Their expertise in this sector will help us deliver great experiences for our guests and fans at the track and beyond. It’s a partnership that adds real value to how we operate day-to-day and how we connect with people around the world.”
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SM Supermalls And VFS Global Seal Partnership To Bring Visa And Travel Services Closer To Filipinos
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| Executives Shaking Hands. SM Supermalls and VFS Global leaders seal the partnership with a handshake during the MOA Signing at SM Supermalls Headquarters. L-R: SM Supermalls AVP for Government Services Express Royston Cabunag, SM Supermalls President Steven Tan, VFS Global Regional Head for North Asia Atul Lall, VFS Global Country Manager for Brunei and the Philippines Syed Shahen Shah (Image Source: INQUIRER.net/SM Supermalls) |
SM Supermalls and VFS Global have formally signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to bring the first world-class visa and travel documentation services directly to select SM malls — offering Filipinos unprecedented convenience, accessibility, and a more seamless customer experience. The partnership enables VFS Global, the global leader in trusted technology services, empowering secure mobility for governments and citizens, operating 3,987 application centres across 165 countries, to now offer visa applications, biometrics, appointment scheduling, and passport-related services inside SM malls. With SM’s nationwide network of 89 malls and over 5.2 million daily visitors, these services instantly become more accessible to millions of Filipinos.
During his welcome remarks, SM Supermalls President Steven Tan emphasized how the collaboration elevates SM’s commitment to serving communities beyond traditional retail, stating, “Our malls have evolved into trusted community spaces where every day needs are met with ease and dignity. This partnership with VFS Global brings essential travel and documentation services right where people already are — inside their neighborhood SM mall. By hosting VFS Global service centers, we’re not only simplifying travel requirements, but we’re further strengthening SM’s role as a hub for convenience, public service, and meaningful access. This collaboration opens new doors for Filipinos and brings world-class service even more within reach. This initiative reflects SM’s commitment to bringing essential services closer to the public by transforming malls into centralized hubs for government, travel, and community-based services. With this first-of-its-kind rollout, SM and VFS Global continue to create opportunities that make everyday life easier, more efficient, and more empowering for Filipino families.”
VFS Global Regional Head for North Asia Atul Lall said, “It’s a great honour for VFS Global to partner with select SM malls across the Philippines offering our fellow Filipino customers a seamless application submission experience. VFS Global remains committed to putting customers first, ensuring the easiest, smoothest visa application experience possible. Through continuous innovation and advanced technology, we simplify processes, enhance security, and improve convenience. By partnering with world-class companies, we bring the best global expertise together to deliver reliable, efficient, and future-ready solutions for governments and travelers worldwide.” Executives from SM Supermalls and VFS Global gather for a commemorative photo following the signing ceremony, celebrating a strategic partnership aimed at making travel documentation simpler and more accessible for the public.
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Jean Henri Lhuillier Celebrates Bronze Medal Finish Of PH Men's Tennis Team Featuring Cebuana Lhuillier Sports Ambassadors In SEA Games 2025
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| Cebuana Lhuillier sports ambassadors AJ Lim, Ruben Gonzales, And Francis Alcantara representing the Philippines in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand (Image Source: INQUIRER.net/Cebuana Lhuillier/Philippine Sports Commission) |
Cebuana Lhuillier President and CEO Jean Henri Lhuillier hailed the remarkable performance of the Philippine men's tennis team following a bronze medal finish at the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games currently held in Thailand. The team, comprised of Cebuana Lhuillier sports ambassadors AJ Lim, Ruben Gonzales, and Francis Alcantara as well as Jed Olivarez and Iggy Pantino, demonstrated world-class competitiveness throughout the competition, standing toe-to-toe with the best from across the region.
The bronze medal finish, according to Lhuillier who expressed strong pride in the ambassadors who carried the Cebuana Lhuillier with distinction, is a testament to countless hours of training, sacrifice and an unwavering commitment to represent the country with honor. A long-time advocate for tennis development through his leadership at Unified Tennis Philippines (UTP), Lhuillier has consistently supported efforts to broaden opportunities for Filipino players — especially those who inspire the next generation through excellence, discipline, and passion for the sport. He emphasized how meaningful it is to see Cebuana Lhuillier ambassadors competing at the region’s premier sporting event, sharing, “I am incredibly proud of AJ, Ruben, and Francis. They are outstanding athletes who exemplify dedication and true Filipino excellence. Watching them compete on this stage is a testament to their hard work, and they continue to inspire so many young players across the country.”
For Cebuana Lhuillier, the achievement also reflects the values the company champions such as perseverance, excellence and service to the Filipino people. Cebuana Lhuillier remains steadfast in its support for Philippine sports, believing in the power of athletics to uplift communities and inspire future generations. As the men’s tennis team regroup and prepare for the next battle, the company looks forward to continuing its partnership with athletes who strive for excellence and bring honor to the country on the international stage.
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Infinix And Pininfarina Announce Strategic Design Partnership To Elevate The Future Of Premium Smartphones
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| (Image Source: Starmometer/Infinix) |
During the Business of Design Week 2025, Infinix announced a landmark strategic partnership with Pininfarina, the iconic Italian design house with a 95-year legacy of shaping some of the world’s most celebrated automobiles, as well as groundbreaking products across sectors such as luxury lifestyle, architecture and yachting. This collaboration marks the beginning of a new flagship design series, with the Infinix NOTE 60 Ultra set to become the first smartphone to emerge from this alliance. From the legendary curves of the Ferrari Testarossa to the iconic silhouette of the Alfa Romeo Spider, every creation bearing the Pininfarina badge has stood as a masterpiece of Italian design and innovation since 1930. Now Pininfarina brings its heritage and lifestyle – steeped in elegance and performance – to a smartphone. The upcoming “Infinix NOTE 60 Ultra design by Pininfarina” marks a milestone not only for the studio but for the industry.
Infinix joins the collaboration at a moment of extraordinary global momentum, with shipments and market share soaring. According to IDC’s Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker, Infinix achieved the largest quarter-on-quarter shipment increase in Southeast Asia in Q2 2025. By uniting Pininfarina’s iconic design philosophy with Infinix’s drive for technological innovation, the alliance aims to set a new benchmark for premium smartphone craftsmanship and introduce high-end, design-driven experiences to a global audience. “As we collaborate with leading partners across different fields, we are steadily advancing Infinix’s journey toward premiumization. Our work with Pininfarina is an important step in strengthening the design foundation of our future products, beginning with the NOTE 60 Series. This partnership reinforces our commitment to deepening investment in high-end design and establishing a new aesthetic benchmark for future flagship products,” said Infinix CEO Tony Zhao.
Pininfarina Senior Vice President of Brand Fabio Calorio said, “Partnering with Infinix on this project has been a great opportunity both to express Pininfarina’s legacy of Italian design excellence into the realm of technology and to apply our principles, based on the combination of beauty and performance, in order to make a lasting impact on the user experience. For nearly a century, our brand has shaped new ways of living, been synonymous with purity, timeless design, and emotion in form — values that perfectly align with Infinix’s vision of innovation.” As Infinix and Pininfarina are gearing up to usher in a new era of premium mobile design, full details on the device’s design philosophy, features, and availability will be announced in the coming days.
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PAL Activates Mabuhay Miles National Athlete ID Program For Team PH Ahead Of 2025 SEA Games
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| PAL Marketing Vice President Alvin Miranda (left) and Corporate Affairs Vice President Salvador Britanico (right) present a replica of the Mabuhay Miles National Athlete ID Card to PSC Chairman Patrick Gregorio, activating specialized travel benefits for Team Philippines. (Image Source: Business Mirror/Philippine Airlines) |
Philippine flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) joined the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) in honoring Filipino athletes bound for the upcoming 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games during the official send-off ceremony held last November 28, 2025 at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum. The event underscored PAL’s commitment to providing comfort and convenience for the delegates of Team Philippines now in Thailand for the games which are underway until December 20.
“As our national heroes representing the country with pride, you deserve our full support and heartfelt care. At Philippine Airlines, we are deeply committed to delivering world-class service to our athletes, who embody the spirit and strength of the Filipino people,” said PAL Vice President for Marketing Alvin Miranda. PSC chairman Patrick Gregorio affirmed the value of the flag carrier’s backing, stating, “Our partnership with Philippine Airlines ensures that our focus remains squarely on performance, knowing that the journey is expertly handled by the nation’s flag carrier. We thank PAL for their commitment to our athletes.” In the same event, POC president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino delivered an inspirational message for Team Philippines, stating, “This is the biggest Philippine Team delegation to the SEA Games ever. Mabuhay ang Team Philippines!” A handover ceremony of the Mabuhay Miles National Athlete ID Card also took center stage, marking the official activation of the specialized travel benefits for Team Philippines, setting a new standard of support for Filipino athletes.
During the program, the athletes and coaches received their Mabuhay Miles National Athlete ID cards, granting them immediate access to Philippine Airlines’ exclusive travel privileges for official PSC-endorsed competitions. The PAL-PSC partnership is designed to directly support the logistical needs of the Philippine delegation, featuring exclusive benefits for national athletes and coaches endorsed by the Commission and traveling to official agency-approved competitions. Among these exclusive benefits are extra baggage allowance for essential sports equipment, waiver of first rebooking fees for select SEA Games 2025 tickets, and elevated service for national athletes on PAL flights. Medal-winning athletes will also receive Mabuhay Miles Rewards. The flag carrier’s support for the 2025 SEA Games marks the beginning of a three-year partnership with the PSC, running from October 2025 to October 2028 – a collaboration that will soar all the way to the LA 2028 Olympic Games.
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Future Changemakers Participate In Benilde Tech And Business Fair
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| (Image Source: Manila Standard/DLS-CSB SMIT) |
Students explored technology and business innovations at SMITENSITY 2025, a week-long fair hosted by the De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) School of Management and Information Technology (SMIT). Themed “Continuum: Code The Future, Lead The Change”, the event featured exhibits, workshops, expert talks, and competitions to promote creativity, professional skills, and real-world impact.
SMIT Dean Joana Diñoso said the theme highlights the continuous evolution of technology and the need for leaders who can use it for positive change. Benilde Chancellor Benhur Ong noted the college brings together innovators, entrepreneurs, coders, marketers, and analysts, all focused on making meaningful contributions across fields like cybersecurity, social innovation, business intelligence, game design, and human resources. Dean Diñoso shared, “This theme speaks to the continuous evolution of technology and the ever-increasing need for leaders who can harness its potential for positive change. In today’s rapidly evolving landscape, the ability to blend technical expertise with strategic business acumen is not just an advantage. It is actually a necessity.” Participants viewed capstone projects in business, logistics, and marketing, sustainable product designs from entrepreneurship programs, and research posters advocating innovative ideas. Industry expert talks offered career guidance and insights into social enterprise, marketing, human resources, export, and global business management.
Students also joined competitions and interactive challenges, including quizzes on ethics, real estate, and finance, as well as team-based problem-solving exercises. The SMIT-Analytics, Computing, and Infotech Cluster hosted innovation talks on digital platforms, storytelling tools, and communication technologies, alongside a data analytics case competition, workshops, and hands-on activities. Booths and presentations showcased the college’s cybersecurity program, systems analysis, business process improvement, project management, and strategy. SMITENSITY 2025 gave students a chance to apply classroom learning to practical experiences while emphasizing sustainability, creativity, and leadership in technology and business.
