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| (Image Source: ABS-CBN.com/Sony Music Entertainment Philippines) |
For 30 lucky Pasigueño couples, February 14, 2026 was the most memorable Valentine’s Day of their lives. Not only did they solemnize and legalize their union on this day, but they also got a once-in-a-lifetime chance to be serenaded by the country’s top folk-pop band Ben&Ben. As a special treat for Pasigueño couples who tied the knot during Pasig City’s annual Kasalang Bayan, the nine-piece band surprised the newlyweds and their guests with a heartfelt performance of their latest single Duyan. It was a fitting song for the occasion as it was originally the wedding vow of Ben&Ben frontman Miguel Benjamin which he and the band decided to share with the world this year. In performing the song for today’s 30 newlywed Pasigueño couples, the band hoped to leave a lasting message of commitment, encouragement, and unconditional love.
Miguel shared, “We’re entering a chapter of our lives where we feel like this is all uncharted territory: becoming full-fledged adults, being partners and spouses. Like the millions of people who are in this phase of their lives, there are many challenges. Things are never easy. We also get to discover many things about ourselves that we may not have really known before – our strengths, our weaknesses, and so much more. Every step that we take is made with unconditional love. That serves as our guide and our anchor in this journey, no matter how imperfect life is. This is the message we would like to impart with our song Duyan.” The Pasig City government holds the annual Kasalang Bayan for constituents who would like to experience a memorable wedding – including walking down the aisle and having a reception – without having to worry about expenses. The city government covers all expenses related to the event including reception meals for six guests per couple. The ceremony is officiated by Pasig City Mayor Victor Ma. Regis “Vico” Sotto.
This year’s Kasalang Bayan was made even more special with Ben&Ben’s special performance. Aside from Duyan, the band also performed the other songs in their Mahiwaga Trilogy – Araw-Araw and Pagtingin. The trilogy features the band’s thematic arc on love and romantic relationships, with Duyan as the culminating song. The song is accompanied by a music video starring real-life couple and actors Gabbi Garcia and Khalil Ramos who also appeared in the previous installments of the Mahiwaga Trilogy. Mayor Vico said, “Maraming salamat sa Ben&Ben! Tuwang-tuwa ang mgakinasal. It was an unexpected surprise for the couples, and made this day extra special for them.”
Ben&Ben’s Duyan is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment. Watch the music video of Duyan on Ben&Ben’s official YouTube channel.
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8×8, PLDT Enterprise Launch Silent Mobile Authentication
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| (Image Source: Speed Magazine/PLDT Enterprise) |
8×8 Inc. (EGHT), a leading global business communications platform provider, recently launched Silent Mobile Authentication (SMA) in the Philippines in partnership with PLDT Enterprise, the corporate business arm of PLDT. Prior to the SMA launch in the Philippines, PLDT Enterprise introduced SmartSafe SilentAccess, its flagship solution from the SmartSafe API suite that enables fast, secure mobile user verification by validating users through mobile network and SIM-based signals. With the integration of SmartSafe SilentAccess into the 8×8 Connect platform, 8×8 Silent Mobile Authentication helps businesses reduce fraud and improve customer experiences without requiring one-time passwords (OTPs), eliminating manual code entry and reducing authentication delays and user drop-off.
Combating rapidly growing mobile fraud in the Philippines
Mobile fraud attacks continue to surge in the Philippines with more than half of Filipinos reporting that they have been scammed at least once in their lifetime – seven points higher than the ASEAN average. As the use of SMS and mobile messaging grows rapidly year-over-year, reliance on mobile numbers for two-factor authentication and identity verification has also increased. While SMS OTPs remain trusted and widely used due to their ubiquity and reliability, 8×8 Silent Mobile Authentication provides a seamless alternative by silently verifying users through mobile network data. The solution enhances security by mitigating common fraud vectors such as spoofing and SIM-swap attacks, while accelerating login and transaction flows. Pilot programs have demonstrated higher verification success rates and lower abandonment compared to traditional OTP-based workflows, giving businesses greater flexibility to balance security, user experience, and operational efficiency.
Enabling enterprises to deliver secure, frictionless customer experiences
“Digital transactions are growing rapidly across the Philippines alongside increasingly sophisticated fraud attempts. 8x8 Silent Mobile Authentication enables quick, secure user verification without the friction of traditional OTPs. In partnership with PLDT, we’re equipping businesses with innovative tools to protect their customers and maintain trust as digital adoption grows, managing authentication quickly without heavy development effort,” said 8x8 Inc. CPaaS (Communications Platform as a Service) Product Director Igor Mostovoy. “SmartSafe SilentAccess represents an important step forward in strengthening the country’s digital infrastructure. At PLDT Enterprise, our shared commitment with 8x8 is to deliver secure and seamless verification for millions of mobile users. Together, we are enabling enterprises to protect their customers, reduce fraud, and support the Philippines' ongoing digital transformation” said PLDT Enterprise Key Industries Group 2 Head Armie Sason.
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Generika Drugstore, Valenzuela City Launch Country’s First Citywide PhilHealth GAMOT Partnership
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| (Image Source: INQUIRER.net/Generika Drugstore) |
Generika Drugstore and the City Government of Valenzuela launched the very first partnership between a nationwide drugstore chain and a local government unit (LGU) providing an entire city access to essential medicines for free under the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth)’s Guaranteed and Accessible Medications for Outpatient Treatment (GAMOT) Program. Last February 13, 2026, about 600 Valenzuela City residents underwent medical consultation from PhilHealth’s Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP)-accredited doctors from the City Health Department and received prescribed medicines onsite for free thru PhilHealth’s GAMOT from Generika Drugstore.
“This is ginhawa to the fullest. Working with the City Government of Valenzuela allows us to showcase our Ginhawang Generika promise while serving our fellow Filipinos,” said Generika Drugstore President and Chief Executive Officer Adrian Gino Guinto. Under this partnership, YAKAP-registered residents of Valenzuela City who have undergone medical consultation in YAKAP-accredited clinics and have prescriptions with unique security codes (UPSC) can claim up to Php20,000 worth of essential medicines in any of the ten (10) Generika Drugstore branches in Valenzuela City that have been accredited by PhilHealth as GAMOT Providers: Dalandanan, Parada Capt. Cruz, Bagbaguin Mariano, Gen. T. De Leon, Malinta Santiago, Maysan Tongco, Paso de Blas, Pio St. Marulas, Poblacion 1 MH Del Pilar (Polo), and Veinte Reales. Because of up to 85% savings that consumers can get for buying Actimed Quality Generics, YAKAP beneficiaries can buy significantly more medicines — enough to complete their doctors’ prescriptions. “We are honored to be part of this pioneering partnership. We thank Generika Drugstore and PhilHealth for helping us make Valenzuela City a truly progressive city where no Valenzuelano family gets left behind,” said Valenzuela City Mayor Wes Gatchalian.
For his part, PhilHealth President and CEO Dr. Edwin Mercado highlighted the importance of multi-stakeholder partnerships in ensuring the success of the government’s flagship health programs, stating, “With active partners like Generika Drugstore and Valenzuela City, Filipinos can rest assured that PhilHealth can help, wherever and whenever they need it.” In turn, Guinto thanked partners and stakeholders whose openness and collaboration were key in building the partnership. He added, “With the AC Health group’s support, we invite like-minded local chief executives to follow suit and together, let’s push ginhawa within closer reach of Filipino families.” To date, 171 Generika Drugstore branches nationwide have been accredited as GAMOT providers. For the full list, visit the official Generika Drugstore website.
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PLDT, Smart Provide Portable Digital Classrooms To Isolated Schools
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| (Image Source: Manila Standard/Smart Communications Inc.) |
PLDT and Smart Communications Inc. (Smart) are expanding access to education in remote areas through their School-In-A-Bag (SIAB) program, delivering portable digital classrooms to last-mile schools. The latest deployment brought a SIAB package to Paglitaw Elementary School in Barangay Calawis, Antipolo City, Rizal. The school serves about 45 students, mostly from the Dumagat community, with four teachers covering Grades 1 to 6. Many students and teachers walk over an hour from the nearest drop-off point to reach the school, and teachers often stay in the upland community during the week.
PLDT and Smart Assistant Vice President and Head of Stakeholder Management Stephanie V. Orlino said the initiative aims to transform learning. She added, “The ‘School-In-A-Bag’ is packed with tech-enabled learning tools designed to augment current teaching strategies and improve the classroom experience for both students and teachers.” Each SIAB package contains a laptop for the teacher, 10 tablets preloaded with Department of Education (DepEd) curriculum materials and interactive educational apps, a Smart Bro LTE Pocket WiFi device, and expandable storage. For Zone V Camera Club President Tony Rivera, the goal is to give every child the right to learn. He said, “We partnered with PLDT and Smart to expand learning opportunities for students in hard-to-reach areas by making classes more exciting through the School-In-A-Bag.” Paglitaw Elementary School Principal Arjen Macabutas described that the new tools could help keep students motivated and enrolled through grade school, stating, “With the gadgets that come with the School-In-A-Bag, we’re confident that our students will be motivated to attend school every day.”
Since its launch, the SIAB program has deployed more than 670 packages nationwide, reaching over 100,000 students. PLDT and Smart have worked with more than 100 partners and 45 donors over nearly a decade to bring digital learning tools to geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas. The program aligns with the DepEd’s Revised K-10 curriculum and supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (UNSDG) No. 4 on Quality Education, ensuring that more Filipino learners have access to digital learning resources.
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ONE Championship Launches ONE Samurai With Monthly Events In Japan
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| (Image Source: ONE Championship) |
ONE Championship™ (ONE), the world’s largest martial arts organization, recently announced at a press conference held inside Kanda Myojin Hall in Chiyoda City, Tokyo, Japan the launch of ONE Samurai, a new monthly event series in Japan featuring the nation’s top martial arts stars and next-generation athletes across MMA, Muay Thai, kickboxing, and submission grappling.
The announcement marks an exciting new chapter in ONE Championship’s expansion in Japan, building on the overwhelming success of recent events in the country. Each ONE Samurai event will showcase multiple World Title fights with a strong focus on Japanese talent while featuring appearances by some of the biggest international martial arts superstars. All ONE Samurai events will be broadcast live exclusively on U-NEXT, Japan’s leading streaming service with 12 million subscribers, with ONE Championship committed to producing 60 events over five years. Global broadcast details will be announced at a later date. The press conference also introduced Shuntaro Tanaka as ONE Championship’s Japan CEO and Group Chief Commercial Officer. In this role, he will lead overall business operations in Japan and oversee corporate strategy, partnerships, market development, and commercial growth across the group.
In attendance at the press conference were ONE Flyweight MMA World Champion Yuya Wakamatsu, ONE Atomweight Muay Thai World Champion Nadaka Yoshinari, former three-division K-1 Champion Takeru Segawa, and former K-1 Champion Yuki Yoza, representing the caliber of talent that will compete at ONE Samurai. The inaugural ONE Samurai event will take place on April 29, 2026 at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan.
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iWant Expands Reach In Southern Negros Through Partnership With KCAT
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| (Image Source: ABS-CBN Corporation) |
Viewers in Southern Negros are set to gain expanded access to iWant’s biggest collection of Filipino feels following a partnership between ABS-CBN’s streaming platform and Kabankalan Communication Antenna TV Inc. (KCAT), a regional cable and internet provider. iWant will be pre-installed on KCAT’s Android TV boxes starting on March 2026, enabling subscribers within its service areas in Negros Occidental (Kabankalan, Cauayan, Himamaylan, Ilog, Mabinay, Sipalay, and Candoni) to access the streaming platform directly from their television sets.
KCAT has also availed iWant Premium Monthly Plan vouchers which will be made available to its subscribers as part of its enhanced cable and broadband offerings. Subscribers can stream iWant Originals, new shows and series that bring fresh Filipino feels, and classic and blockbuster films, as well as select titles available ahead of free TV including the ABS-CBN and GMA collaboration “The Secrets Of Hotel 88” along with ABS-CBN’s top-rated teleseryes such as “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo”, “What Lies Beneath”, and “Roja”.
ABS-CBN Digital Head Jamie Lopez and KCAT President and Chief Executive Officer Jose Luis Dabao sealed the partnership earlier this February 2026, expanding iWant’s distribution beyond major urban centers and enabling subscribers in Southern Negros to more conveniently access premium Filipino entertainment through KCAT’s Android TV box integration.
