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| L-R: SoFA Design Institute Co-Founder and President Loralee Baron-Soong, SoFA Design Institute Director for Academic Affairs Mads Constantino, IE University's Andrea Pagani, SoFA Design Institute Co-Founder and Chairwoman Amina Aranaz-Alunan (Image Source: Philippines Graphic/SoFA Design Institute) |
Over the past decade, SoFA Design Institute has established itself as one of the Philippines’ most recognized centers for creative education, dedicated to equipping students with the skills, perspective, and confidence necessary to succeed in design both locally and internationally. This vision took a significant step forward last March 11, 2026 with the launch of SoFA’s academic partnership with IE University in Spain. With campuses in Madrid and Segovia, IE University is internationally recognized for its integration of design, business, and innovation, preparing students to become creative leaders capable of working across cultures and industries.
The collaboration was introduced during a curated launch at SoFA Design Institute’s campus located at The Proscenium Retail Row at Rockwell, Makati City. The event was a curated hour of ideas, creativity beyond borders, and a shared vision for the future of design. One of the event’s key highlights was an insightful Creative Conversation with Flabelus, a Spanish footwear brand reimagining traditional craftsmanship through contemporary design and storytelling, led by International Public Relations and Communications Director Pilar Oraa. IE University Senior Associate Director of Business Development for Undergraduates in Southeast Asia and Oceania Andrea Pagani shared vital information to explain the new possibilities open to SoFA Design Institute students. She was joined by SoFA co-founders Loralee Baron-Soong and Amina Aranaz-Alunan. SoFA Director for Academic Affairs Mads Constantino hosted the morning session. Through this partnership, students will gain access to international internship opportunities, immersive Spanish design tours, exchange programs, and summer school programs with IE University. These initiatives will allow students to experience diverse learning environments abroad and participate in short-term international design experiences.
For aspiring creatives in the Philippines, such opportunities signify a meaningful expansion of their educational and professional horizons. Design education is increasingly shaped by cross-cultural dialogue and international collaboration, and the ability to navigate different creative communities while contributing unique perspectives is becoming a critical aspect of the modern designer’s development. By fostering connections with institutions such as IE University and brands such as Flabelus, SoFA Design Institute is creating pathways for Filipino creativity to participate actively in global design discourse. What began as a specialized design school in Manila is now evolving into a platform where local talent meets international opportunity. The launch of this partnership highlights the potential for future students, current learners, and design peers to engage with international networks, explore new design traditions, and cultivate a global mindset in their creative practice.
For more information on this partnership and SoFA Design Institute, visit the college's official website at sofa.edu.ph/ and follow @sofadesigninstitute on Facebook and Instagram.
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Nike’s After Dark Tour, A Global Race Series Built For Women, Coming To Manila
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| (Image Source: Manila Standard/Nike) |
The Nike After Dark Tour is coming to Manila for the first time as one of its stops for its 2026 season returning for 2026, continuing Nike’s commitment to inviting more women into sport through races designed to celebrate community, self-expression and the power of running — all after the sun goes down. Spanning seven major cities across the world, the Nike After Dark Tour empowers women to step onto the starting line together for an evening that blends sport, culture and community into a one-of-one experience at every stop. With 10K and half-marathon races, the tour invites women of all backgrounds and abilities to push new limits and celebrate their collective power and potential.
Races in the 2026 Nike After Dark Tour include 10K in London, Manila, Mumbai, and Shanghai and half-marathon in Los Angeles, Mexico City, and Sydney. Now in its second year, the After Dark Tour builds on Nike’s longstanding history of supporting women runners around the world. Between 2005 and 2015, Nike hosted a series of women’s races in major cities globally. In 2025, the brand carried that legacy forward with the launch of the After Dark Tour, inspiring a new generation of runners and creating a space where women feel seen, supported and motivated. That approach resonated strongly during the inaugural Tour which drew more than 50,000 women to seven races across five continents. One in three participants were first-time racers, and nearly half said they signed up because they were drawn to a women-oriented race experience. Each stop extends far beyond a traditional race format, offering runners a fully immersive experience featuring curated pre-race moments, on-course energy and post-race celebrations of movement, confidence and community.
The After Dark Tour also showcases Nike’s latest running, training and sportswear innovations — all designed to help women look good, feel good and perform their best. The same performance technologies developed for Nike’s elite athletes are available to everyday runners, reinforcing the brand’s belief that innovation should serve all athletes, at every level. To learn more about the 2026 Nike After Dark Tour, get notified about race dates and register for a race, visit the following websites:
• Manila – https://afterdarktour.nike.com/manila
• Global Races – https://afterdarktour.nike.com/
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BRAVE Combat Federation Renews Partnership With IMMAF For 2026
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| BRAVE Combat Federation President Mohammad Shahid and International Mixed Martial Arts Federation President Kerrith Brown (Image Source: International Mixed Martial Arts Federation) |
BRAVE Combat Federation has renewed its partnership with the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) for 2026, continuing its support of the global amateur MMA pathway. The agreement reinforces the link between amateur development and professional opportunity with BRAVE remaining a key supporter of IMMAF’s international events and initiatives.
Since the beginning of their collaboration, both organizations have worked to strengthen the global MMA landscape, supporting athletes as they progress from amateur competition to the professional stage. IMMAF championships provide a regulated environment where athletes compete under unified rules while professional organizations such as BRAVE showcase the opportunities available beyond the amateur ranks. The pathway from IMMAF to BRAVE has already been demonstrated by a number of athletes. At BRAVE CF 104 which took place during the recent 2026 IMMAF European Championships in Belgrade, Serbia, five IMMAF alumni featured on the card. Miha Frlic, Ramazan Gitinov, Nina Nikolija Milošević, Ognjen Mićović and Kurban Idrisov all secured victories on the night. BRAVE representatives were also in attendance at the European Championships, underlining the continued collaboration between the two organizations and their shared commitment to the sport’s development.
IMMAF President Kerrith Brown welcomed the renewal, highlighting the importance of cooperation between amateur federations and professional promotions in creating sustainable pathways for athletes. By extending the partnership through 2026, BRAVE Combat Federation will continue supporting IMMAF events and the development of amateur MMA worldwide, strengthening the bridge between grassroots competition and the professional arena.
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McDonald’s Rallies Fans To “Tastify” Its Napakasarap, Napakacrispy And Napakajuicy Chicken McDo
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| (Image Source: Mindanao Times/McDonald's Philippines) |
McDonald’s Philippines continues to strengthen its presence in the bone-in fried chicken category with its napakasarap, napakacrispy and napakajuicy Chicken McDo as it invites its loyal fans to declare their love of it to their family, friends, and loved ones. “We’ve really upped our fried chicken game for the past two years by introducing a bigger, juicier, crispier and more shareable Chicken McDo, which is increasingly being well-loved and is becoming the fried chicken of choice for many Filipinos. We’ve seen how some of our fans online are tastifying about their love for Chicken McDo and we want to celebrate that,” said McDonald’s Philippines’ Chief Marketing Officer Ada Almendras-Lazaro.
What makes Chicken McDo napakacrispy and napakajuicy is the meticulous way it is prepared in the kitchen: pieces of chicken are cooked in smaller batches to ensure they are fried to perfection. McDonald’s has also updated its marination procedure to allow the marinade to fully seep into every piece. The result? A fully satisfying Chicken McDo that will move customers to tastify and declare their love to its improved taste. “We are dedicated to making sure each Chicken McDo experience satisfies our customers, so that they can confidently recommend it to their friends and loved ones,” said Almendras-Lazaro.
The napakasarap, napakacrispy and napakajuicy Chicken McDo is available for 1-pc with rice and regular drink at the napakasulit price of Php99. Not only that, customers can also enjoy the NEW 1-pc Chicken McDo meal with rice, drink and Sundae cone meal, giving them more reasons to enjoy Chicken McDo. Fans eager to Tastify their love for Chicken McDo can dive into the experience through dine-in, take-out, drive-thru, or delivery via McDelivery, GrabFood, and FoodPanda. Love it and Tastify it.
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Paint & Beyond: “A Filipino Palette” Celebrating Creativity And Filipino Heritage At Solaire
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| The winners of Solaire Resort's “Paint & Beyond” art competition – (L–R) Carl Julius Y. Coronel (Solaire Rewards Club); Armee V. Antonio (Health Club); Joseph C. Pagobo (Table Games Shared Dealers); Angelo D. Flores (Table Games Shared Dealers); and Joanna Louisse T. Talavera (Security) – with their respective artworks (Image Source: Orange Magazine TV/Solaire Resort Entertainment City) |
At Solaire Resort Entertainment City, honoring Filipino culture goes hand in hand with nurturing the well-being and creativity of the people who bring the resort to life every day. Through the “Paint & Beyond” art competition organized for Solaire team members, employees were given a meaningful opportunity to pause from their daily roles and explore their artistic side, an initiative that reflects the resort’s commitment to work-life balance and the belief that creativity flourishes when people are encouraged to express themselves beyond the workplace.
Familiar scenes from everyday Filipino life became the heart of the artworks. From the iconic jeepney and the beloved dessert halo-halo to the playful saranggola, the cheerful sorbetero, and childhood games like piko and sipa, these cultural symbols were reimagined through deeply personal interpretations. Each piece carried a sense of nostalgia, capturing memories that many Filipinos share while revealing the individuality and imagination of the artists behind them. Through brushstrokes and color, team members transformed simple, familiar moments into powerful visual stories that celebrate Filipino identity. The winning artworks were later reproduced on canvas tote bags, turning them into functional pieces that carry these stories beyond the canvas. More than just everyday items, the bags serve as moving reminders of Filipino heritage and the creativity of the people who created them, allowing guests and partners to connect with the culture and stories that inspired each design.
Through initiatives like “Paint & Beyond”, Solaire Resort Entertainment City continues to foster a workplace culture that values creativity, balance, and community. By giving team members space to pursue their passions and celebrate shared traditions, the resort not only honors Filipino heritage but also strengthens the human connections that make every guest experience truly meaningful.
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Acer Remains The Philippines’ Most Trusted Laptop Brand For 20 Years
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| (Image Source: MegaBites/Acer Philippines) |
Acer has officially marked two decades of market leadership in the Philippines, maintaining its position as the country’s No. 1 laptop brand for 20 consecutive years from 2006 to 2025. This historic milestone is supported by the Quarterly Personal Computing Device Tracker Q4 2025 of IDC (International Data Corporation), the premier global provider of market intelligence for information technology, telecommunications, and consumer technology markets.
Acer also reached an all-time high in consumer laptop market share of 37.3% in 2025, according to Nielsen-GfK data. Its leadership is evident in the consumer gaming and non-gaming segments with 40.5% and 36.1% market share, respectively. “We are incredibly proud to have earned the trust of Filipino consumers for twenty years. We will continue to serve our consumers in ways we know best to remain the top-of-mind computer brand in the country,” said Acer Philippines Managing Director Sue Ong-Lim. Sustained growth and market dominance stem from Acer’s accessible premium positioning. This is bolstered by a strong retail footprint, an extensive service center network, leadership in the eSports sector, strategic partnerships with brand ambassadors, and effective promotions. Acer is known for a comprehensive laptop portfolio across every price bracket without compromising on quality or performance. The Aspire series remains the gold standard for students, delivering a perfect balance of reliability, efficiency, and durability. The Nitro series offers an impressive suite of high-end specifications and robust processing power, ensuring premium performance remains accessible to a wide range of gaming enthusiasts.
Acer is also focused on growing the eSports industry through events such as the Asia Pacific Predator League. Additionally, strategic partnerships with icons like the “Kings of P-Pop” SB19 have successfully bridged the brand with a new generation of digital natives.
