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| (Image Source: Business Mirror/DAZN) |
DAZN, the world’s leading sports entertainment platform and the ultimate global home of sport, recently launched a groundbreaking new interactive mobile app feature that offers football fans unprecedented, real-time access to their favourite players. This innovation underscores DAZN’s continuous investment in delivering the ultimate fan experience.
DAZN users around the world will now have the exclusive opportunity to chat live with some of football’s biggest names including Alejandro Balde (Barcelona), Lautaro Martínez (Inter Milan), Enzo Fernández (Chelsea), and Fermín López (Barcelona). This unique community feature, integrated directly into the DAZN mobile app, will allow fans to share their thoughts, ask questions, and engage directly with players during dedicated live sessions. To ensure truly global participation, live AI-powered translation functionality will enable fans to communicate and read responses in their preferred language. This new offering marks a significant evolution in sports consumption, moving beyond traditional social media feeds with their scheduled posts and curated content. In collaboration with The Residency, this exclusive, live interactive experience is free for all DAZN registered users, providing a unique and direct way for fans to connect with their football heroes. DAZN Group CEO Shay Segev commented, “This innovation goes to the heart of what DAZN does best – bringing fans closer to their favourite sports. Through real-time, interactive experiences, such as live chats with the world’s best football players, we are elevating how fans connect with football. This strengthens the bond between the game and its global community, while reinforcing our commitment to being the ultimate global home of sport.”
The Residency Founder and CEO Mathieu Golan said, “Together with DAZN the global home of sports, we’re building the future of how fans experience football, not as spectators, but as participants through Fan Conferences. We give supporters real-time access to players and create moments of genuine connection beyond the match itself, while giving athletes a direct voice in how their stories are told.” DAZN is the global home of football with an extensive portfolio of rights secured through partnerships with the world’s leading leagues and federations. From LALIGA and Serie A to the UEFA Champions League and the FIFA World Cup 2026™, DAZN delivers premium football coverage to millions of fans worldwide. Further details on upcoming live chats will be announced soon on DAZN.com and DAZN’s social media channels.
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SMX Convention Center Wins Multiple ASEAN Tourism Awards
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| (Image Source: Manila Standard/SM Hotels And Conventions Corporation) |
SMX Convention Center, operated by SM Hotels and Conventions Corporation (SMHCC), strengthened its position in the Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions (MICE) industry after winning multiple awards at the ASEAN Tourism Forum in Cebu. SMX Convention Center was named Best ASEAN Convention Centre at the ASEANTA Excellence Awards 2026, a platform recognizing outstanding tourism and events destinations in the region. This is the first time SMX Convention Center has received the honor, highlighting its role as a premier MICE venue that attracts international delegates and contributes to the growth of the Philippines’ tourism sector.
Further recognition came at the ASEAN Tourism Standards Awards where SMX Convention Center Manila and SMX Convention Center Clark both won the ASEAN MICE Venue Award in the Exhibition Venue category. In 2024, only SMX Convention Center Manila received recognition in this category. The 2026 awards reflect the continued expansion of SMX venues and their impact on the country’s MICE and tourism landscape. “Being recognized by ASEAN bodies not only validates the hard work of our teams but also strengthens the SMX brand as a preferred venue for regional and international events. With the opening of new SMX properties in 2026, we continue to expand our reach and offer world-class venues, driving the continued development and global competitiveness of the country’s MICE sector,” said SMHCC Senior Vice President of Operations Walid Wafik.
SMX Convention Center plans to open new branches this year in Cebu, Cabanatuan, Sta. Rosa (Laguna), Sto. Tomas (Batangas), and Pasay, supporting its long-term vision of bringing MICE infrastructure to more destinations. With multiple award-winning venues, an expanding portfolio, and a strong commitment to service excellence, SMX Convention Center continues to drive business tourism growth and position the Philippines as a leading events destination in Southeast Asia.
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FIFA Names Aleph Exclusive Partner For Multimedia Distribution And Commercialization Of The FIFA World Cup 2026™ In The Philippines
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| (Image Source: PR Newswire/FIFA) |
Aleph, a global digital advertising company operating at the intersection of media and cross-border payments, has been appointed by FIFA as the exclusive partner to lead commercialization and multimedia distribution of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ in the Philippines. The appointment designates Aleph as a single point of access for brands seeking advertising, sponsorship, and commercial opportunities across multiple media platforms in the Philippine market. In the Philippines Aleph also represents X (Twitter), Pinterest, Reddit and TikTok amongst others.
Aleph Country Head for the Philippines Anna Dy celebrates this unprecedented opportunity for the market, stating, “Football has officially moved from the sidelines to the center of the Philippine sports conversation. We are seeing a fundamental shift in fan culture, where digital content creation has become a primary way for fans to live and share the sport in real-time. For brands in the Philippines, this is a massive opportunity to connect with an audience that is more mobile, more expressive, and more invested in the game than ever before.” During the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, Asia achieved a digital streaming reach of over 1.19 billion. As a FIFA Media Partner, Aleph is set to deliver an all-encompassing media rollout for 2026, providing coverage across free-to-air, pay TV, digital streaming, mobile, and video-on-demand. Fans have been waiting for almost four years for the FIFA World Cup 2026™.
This will mark a historic first, featuring 48 national teams competing across 104 matches over 39 days of tournament. The FIFA World Cup 2026™ will be the last opportunity for fans around the world to see legendary players like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo compete on football’s biggest stage. Today’s consumers increasingly watch live sports while interacting on their mobile devices. Aleph sees a strong potential in bringing these parallel streams of attention together into a more connected experience. In fact, Asia was the region that led both share of video views (65.3%) and share of hours of video viewed (63%) for digital streaming and social media in the world during the FIFA World Cup 2022™.
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Hershey Philippines Unveils ‘Love For Every Bar’, A Digitally Interactive Tribute To Love And Empowerment
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| (Image Source: Business Mirror/Hershey Philippines) |
Hershey Philippines, a subsidiary of The Hershey Company, is raising a toast to love and empowerment with the launch of its “Love For Every Bar” campaign. Timed for Valentine’s Day and International Women’s Day, this initiative builds on the success of the award-winning “Celebrate #HerSHE” and “She Inspires” movements by offering a tech-forward way to honor loved ones and inspirational women. This season, Hershey’s transforms its iconic chocolate wrapper into a digital canvas. The “Love For Every Bar” limited-edition packaging invites consumers to go beyond traditional gifting by using interactive technology to share sincere, personalized messages across the nation.
“Love For Every Bar” is more than a gift — it is an experience. By scanning the QR code on the limited-edition wrapper or visiting https://celebratehershe.com/en, senders are directed to a seamless digital platform where they can create custom tributes. Hershey’s has introduced two creative ways to customize your gift via QR code on Limited Edition Packaging Bars.
• Cartoon E-Card Personalization: Senders can upload a photo that AI transforms into a playful cartoon persona. Senders can add a short message which the animated character will “speak” directly to the recipient. These personalized cards can be downloaded and shared, creating a lasting digital keepsake.
• AR Messaging: For a touch of magic, the AR (Augmented Reality) option allows senders to select heartfelt presets. The recipient unlocks this immersive AR experience simply by scanning the physical bar.
Hershey’s approach in this campaign is a different kind of gifting — one that empowers you to say it your way. It celebrates not just the major milestones, but the personal stories and everyday efforts that shape our lives. The campaign represents a shift in modern gifting, blending the physical joy of chocolate with your own digital expression of sentiment. It acknowledges the dedication of the strength of personal bonds, making it easier than ever to share a “sweet” thought that is uniquely yours and lingers long after the chocolate is gone. Experience love and empowerment today. The Hershey’s limited-edition “Love for Every Bar” chocolates are available now at leading supermarkets and grocery stores outlets nationwide.
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Watch ABS-CBN’s Primetime Shows On ALLTV2 For A Chance To Win Up To Php2.5M Total Cash Prizes
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| (Image Source: ABS-CBN Corporation) |
ABS-CBN offers a fun viewing experience on Kapamilya Channel sa ALLTV2 where viewers can enjoy watching ABS-CBN’s primetime programs while getting the chance to win a total of up to Php2.5M (2.5 million pesos) worth of cash prizes. ABS-CBN rolls out the “Tutok 2gether” special promo where viewers must tune in to primetime favorites “TV Patrol”, “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo”, “Roja”, and “What Lies Beneath” on Kapamilya Channel sa ALLTV2 on weeknights.
To join the exciting promo, watch any of the currently airing primetime shows from Monday to Friday on Kapamilya Channel sa ALLTV2, and spot the Kapamilya word – Love, Joy, or Hope – that will appear on the TV screen, log-in to joinnow.ph to submit the answer, and complete the registration form to secure the entry. Viewers can enjoy the promo from now until April 17, 2026 where there will be 20 daily winners of Php2,000, two weekly winners of Php20,000, and two lucky winners of Php200,000. Kapamilyas can get their daily dose of news and information from “TV Patrol” at 6:30 pm, follow Tanggol’s action-packed encounters in “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo” at 8:00 pm, enjoy the emotional revelations in “Roja” at 8:45 pm, and follow along the thrilling mysteries in “What Lies Beneath” at 9:30 pm.
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| (Image Source: ABS-CBN Corporation) |
To search for Kapamilya Channel sa ALLTV2, turn on your digital black box, press the scan button on the remote control, and look for ALLTV2. Catch ABS-CBN’s primetime programs on weeknights in high definition on Kapamilya Channel sa ALLTV2 and don’t miss out on a chance to win in “Tutok 2gether”.
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Max Out Experience At SM City Lipa's Chinese New Year 2026 Celebrations
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| (Image Source: Facebook/Lipa Status/Aeron Carpio) |
The festive spirit was in full swing at SM City Lipa as it hosted the much-anticipated Lunar or Chinese New Year 2026, coming alive with vibrant colors, rhythmic drumbeats, and cultural performances that brought joy and prosperity-themed excitement to shoppers and families alike. One of the highlights of the celebration was the spectacular dragon dance performance. With the thunderous beat of drums echoing across the mall, the dragon weaved and leaped gracefully through the crowd which is a symbol of good fortune, strength, and success for the year ahead.
Adding depth and authenticity to the celebration was the cultural presentation by the talented SPFL Chinese Mandarin students of Inosloban-Marawoy National High School. Their performance showcased traditional Chinese-inspired dances and cultural numbers that reflected the richness of Chinese heritage. The students’ dedication and enthusiasm delighted mall-goers, proving how cultural exchange continues to thrive within the local community. Their presentation not only entertained but also educated audiences about traditions associated with the Lunar New Year. The entire mall was adorned with festive Chinese décor such as red lanterns, gold accents, and prosperity-themed installations that created the perfect backdrop for celebration. Families, friends, and shoppers embraced the festive mood, making the Max Out Experience more than just a mall event but became a shared cultural moment.
Beyond the performances, guests were encouraged to explore SM City Lipa’s vibrant food and shopping offerings. From delightful dining spots serving festive favorites to exciting shopping finds and seasonal promos, the mall provided a complete celebratory experience for everyone welcoming the new year. The Max Out Experience at SM City Lipa once again demonstrated how cultural celebrations can bring communities together. Through the dragon dance, student performances, and festive atmosphere, the event highlighted unity, diversity, and shared joy making the Chinese New Year 2026 celebration truly unforgettable for Lipeños and visitors alike. For more updates and exciting activities, shoppers are invited to check out SM City Lipa’s vibrant food and shopping experiences as the festive season continues or visit its official Facebook page.
(With words by Arven Bravo, Lipa Status)
