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| (Image Source: The Manila Times/Puregold Price Club Inc.) |
In its final installment of the Sari-Sari Stories, Puregold releases “Pangalan”, a moving tribute to the sari-sari stores that continue to power daily life, grassroots enterprise, and community connection across the Philippines. Following previous installments “Ways”, “The Sign”, and “The Witness”, Puregold broadens the conversation from nostalgia to economic relevance, highlighting how sari-sari stores continue to serve as accessible retail touchpoints, community anchors, and entry-level enterprises that support household livelihoods in the country.
Sari-sari stores go beyond informal neighborhood retail. They function as last-mile commerce points that respond to everyday consumer needs with proximity, familiarity, and flexible purchasing options. Their resilience has allowed them to remain relevant even as the retail landscape continues to evolve. That economic role is matched by social relevance. At the heart of Pangalan is the idea that sari-sari stores are more than neighborhood shops: they are trusted spaces that people turn to not only for essentials, but for connection and reliability. The film captures this dual role in distinctly Filipino terms: the store as tanungan, tambayan, and takbuhan. The narrative is reinforced by appearances of OPM artists Jhoanna Robles of BINI, Stell Ajero of SB19, and Skusta Clee whose personal recollections reflect the deep familiarity of sari-sari stores in Filipino life. Their participation adds cultural relevance to a message ultimately anchored in enterprise, accessibility, and community-based retail.
Puregold’s focus on this segment remains rooted in mass-market demand and the practical realities of everyday consumption. By spotlighting community-based retail, the company reinforces its relevance at the grassroots level while drawing attention to the vital contribution of MSMEs to the domestic economy. The timing is equally strategic with MSMEs already looking ahead at the upcoming Puregold Tindahan Ni Aling Puring Sari-Sari Store Convention in May. The annual event has become a key platform for sari-sari store owners, entrepreneurs, and partner suppliers, underscoring Puregold’s enduring commitment to small business development and ecosystem growth.
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Lenovo Announces Global Partnership With David Beckham
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| (Image Source: Manila Insight/Lenovo) |
Lenovo recently announced a global partnership with David Beckham, bringing together one of the world’s most recognized cultural figures and one of the world’s leading technology companies. The collaboration builds on Lenovo’s expanding role in global football, including its position as the Official Technology Partner of FIFA World Cup 2026™ and the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027™. This first of its kind Lenovo partnership will see David Beckham participating in Lenovo’s work on sports-focused AI-driven solutions that are transforming the game for clubs, players, officials, and fans, specifically related to improving performance for teams, creating better experiences for fans, enabling more efficient operations, and driving new revenue streams through AI-driven innovation.
As someone who runs his own businesses, David Beckham brings a perspective that resonates well beyond the pitch. Whether it’s the professional managing their day from a single device, the small business owner trying to do more with less, or the enterprise rethinking how entire teams work, David Beckham will help bring to life the idea at the heart of the collaboration: that the right technology, powered by AI, can help anyone operate at their best. David Beckham will also feature in Lenovo’s upcoming global marketing campaign, due to go live in May, one month before the start of the FIFA World Cup 2026™. Commenting on the partnership, Beckham said, “Lenovo is a global leader with a proven track record on the world’s biggest stages. I am proud to partner with Lenovo for the FIFA World Cup and beyond. Football will always be defined by talent, instinct, hard work and the unforgettable moments that make the game special. Now AI and data are helping us to understand the sport more deeply – shaping how players and coaches prepare and how fans connect with the game. I look forward to learning more about Lenovo’s cutting-edge work which is opening up new ideas and expanding access to the game.”
Lenovo Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Yuanqing Yang added, “David is not only a global figure across football, business, and culture, but is someone who understands the power of innovation to transform the world. That makes him the perfect partner to help us demonstrate how Smarter AI can drive better life and more efficient work for all.”
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Home Credit Brings Up To ₱10,000 Off And 0% Interest On The Samsung Galaxy S26 Series
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| (Image Source: Corner Magazine PH/Home Credit Philippines) |
Home Credit Philippines, the country’s leading consumer finance company, makes upgrading easier for digital hustlers with special deals on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Series, now available in stores nationwide. Customers can now enjoy flagship-level performance with up to ₱10,000 off and installment plans of up to 24 months at 0% interest. Through Home Credit’s flexible installment plans, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, S26+, and S26 are now easier to own, giving more Filipinos access to premium technology. The promo runs until April 19, 2026 with full details available at https://hcph.info/4svmU3b.
Now is the perfect time to upgrade after years of using the same device, with the Samsung Galaxy S26 Series offering powerful performance for everyday needs in one smartphone. The lineup comes in Black, White, Sky Blue, and Cobalt Violet with multiple storage capacities and memory upgrade options available. For those who need more advanced features, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra delivers stronger performance with powerful hardware, enhanced camera capabilities, and Galaxy AI tools designed for multitasking and content creation. Customers can get the device for as low as ₱2,509 on a 24-month installment plan through Home Credit.
| Samsung Galaxy S26 Series | Unit Price | Monthly Installment* |
| Samsung S26 Ultra 16 GB + 1 TB | ₱116,990 | ₱3,479 |
| Samsung S26 Ultra 12 GB + 512 GB | ₱95,990 | ₱2,949 |
| Samsung S26 Ultra 12 GB + 256 GB | ₱80,990 | ₱2,509 |
| Samsung S26+ 12 GB + 512 GB | ₱84,990 | ₱2,629 |
| Samsung S26+ 12 GB + 256 GB | ₱69,990 | ₱2,189 |
| Samsung S26 12 GB + 512 GB | ₱69,990 | ₱2,189 |
| Samsung S26 12 GB + 256 GB | ₱55,990 | ₱1,779 |
Home Credit continues to simplify the way Filipinos upgrade their devices by offering a fast and straightforward application process. Customers only need one valid ID with approvals possible in as fast as one minute. The Samsung Galaxy S26 Series offer is available in more than 10,000 Home Credit partner stores nationwide. Customers may also get pre-approved through the Home Credit App, available on Google Play, the App Store, or Huawei AppGallery, and locate partner stores through Shoppingmall.ph. To know more about the latest updates from Home Credit Philippines, visit its official website at www.homecredit.ph. You may also download the Home Credit App on Google Play, the App Store, or Huawei AppGallery to check the latest 0% interest and 0% down payment deals and follow the official Home Credit Philippines Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok accounts.
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SM Foundation Upgrades Two Community Health Stations In Bacolod, Expanding Access To Primary Care
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| (Image Source: Manila Standard/SM Foundation Inc.) |
Access to essential healthcare moves closer to communities as SM Foundation turns over two upgraded Barangay Health Stations serving nearly 27,000 residents across multiple urban barangays. The newly improved facilities, Barangay Mabini Health Station and ETCS Barangay Health Station, are part of SM Foundation’s growing network of community health facilities.
Both facilities underwent renovations designed to improve service delivery and patient experience. Interior upgrades include new LED lighting, modern appliances, and more comfortable, patient-centered furnishings. Layout improvements were also introduced to support more efficient consultations and better patient flow. In Mabini as well as the ETCS, fully air-conditioned facilities include a pharmacy equipped with a refrigerator to store vaccines and other medicines, consultation room, pre-natal room, breast feeding room, reception cum admission room, a lounge for seniors and a playroom for children. Basic equipment included Hamilton beds for pregnant women, weighing scales, stethoscopes and blood pressure monitoring machines. The Health stations were given laptops for teleconsultation, electronic medical record keeping, and Philhealth YAKAP integration. Barangay Health Stations have long been central to grassroots healthcare in the Philippines, dating back to their institutionalization in 1971. As communities transitioned into the formal barangay structure in the 1970s, these centers remained essential in ensuring that public health services, from vaccination drives to nutrition monitoring and family planning, reach the grassroots.
To date, the Foundation has renovated 228 health centers nationwide. By enhancing these community-based facilities, SM Foundation continues to help ensure that quality healthcare remains accessible, affordable, and responsive to the needs of Filipino families.
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A Power Spike! Skyro Sponsors Premier Volleyball League
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| (Image Source: Manila Standard/Skyro) |
Filipinos live for the clutch moments and the electric energy but in the game of life, the real thrill comes from having a winning financial game plan. Ready to set the play for a more accessible financial future, Skyro, a SEC-registered lending company, is stepping onto the court as a proud sponsor of the Premier Volleyball League (PVL). Just like a timed quick attack, Skyro is teaming up with the country’s only professional volleyball league to help more Filipinos score big on their financial goals without dropping the ball on their lifestyle.
“Skyro believes in supporting the experiences that bring Filipinos the most joy like sports, and volleyball is a huge part of that. The PVL is the perfect platform to fulfill this mission. We are thrilled to partner with the league this season and, hopefully, for many seasons to come,” says Skyro Marketing Head Iya Lelyanova. The PVL is one of the most-followed sports leagues in the Philippines, built on high-level competition, recognizable teams, and star athletes with strong fan loyalty. It connects sports and culture, attracting an active fanbase both in arenas and online. Its athletes resonate with fans not only for their talent but also for the values they represent: hard work, discipline, resilience, and teamwork. As a PVL sponsor, Skyro will have season-long exposure across multiple platforms including the website homepage leaderboard, PVL LED screens, livestream ads, the T-shirt toss segment, and social media content featuring game highlights, behind-the-scenes moments, and player stories. Lelyanova emphasizes that beyond visibility, the partnership is about matching the needs of Filipinos’ evolving lifestyles, stating, “Our goal is to show that financial flexibility is possible with Skyro. Just as players must constantly adapt on the court, we want to stay in sync with the shifting needs of Filipinos.”
Skyro’s partnership with the Premier Volleyball League reflects its mission to support Filipinos in real life, bringing hope, happiness, and financial support for everyday goals. This PVL season, Filipinos can see how Skyro’s flexible financial solutions help make important upgrades possible, whether for the home, the family, or the next step forward. Just like in volleyball, every move counts.
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Disney+ Expands Collaboration With Korea eSports Association To Host Additional Livestreams Of Major eSports Events
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| (Image Source: Disney+) |
Following the successful broadcast of last year’s 2025 LoL (League of Legends) KeSPA CUP livestream, Disney+ announced the expansion of its collaboration with the Korea eSports Association (KeSPA) to bring additional livestreams of major eSports competitions to audiences around the world. The expanded collaboration will include global live coverage of major flagship events including the eSports Champions Asia Jinju 2026, the 2026 LoL KeSPA CUP and the Korea national team send-off ceremony and LoL friendly matches before the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026.
The new collaboration officially kicks off on April 24-26, 2026 with the eSports Championships Asia 2026 where teams from South Korea, China, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines and Mongolia will compete against each other in a range of games. Audiences on Disney+ will be able to watch along live as the teams compete on Street Fighter 6, The King of Fighters XV, TEKKEN 8, and the eFootball™ series (PC/Mobile). Disney+ will also participate as an official streamer for PUBG Mobile and Eternal Return, delivering full tournament coverage of these titles to global audiences. Held across three days in Jinju, South Korea, the eSports Championships Asia serves as an important platform for national teams to assess performance and strengthen competitiveness ahead of the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026. Disney+ will exclusively live stream the national team send-off ceremony and evaluation matches scheduled later this year in preparation for the Games.
ESPN will be featured onscreen during the livestream and event experience on Disney+, delivering a world-class sports presentation to eSports fans. These competitions expand Disney+’s growing slate of live programming – from sports to news and can’t-miss cultural moments – offering subscribers more compelling, must-watch content than ever.
