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| (Image Source: European Gaming/eSports Awards) |
The eSports Awards and eSports Foundation (EF) recently announced a three-year extension of their partnership alongside the launch of the new eSports World Cup (EWC) Players’ Choice Award, voted on exclusively by professional eSports players across the international community. The renewed agreement, which runs through 2028, celebrates the players, creators and innovators who help define the future of competitive gaming.
Determined exclusively through peer voting, the EWC Players’ Choice Award recognizes the industry’s most outstanding competitor across all titles and regions. Competitors attending the EWC 2026 will vote in person while a secure digital voting platform hosted by the eSports Awards will enable participation from additional eligible players and clubs. In order to be eligible, players must have competed in at least one qualifying S, A or B-Tier tournament during the official competitive season. Players will not be permitted to vote for themselves or teammates with the eSports Awards overseeing the process to ensure fairness and competitive integrity. A global marketing campaign will coincide with voting for the award and will include player interviews, nominee reveals and content throughout the EWC 2026 season, culminating in the winner reveal during the eSports Awards ceremony later this year. The eSports Awards has also announced that its 2026 ceremony will take place in the United States, marking the beginning of a new rotating host city model under which the event will be staged in different, previously unvisited destinations. “The talent and innovation of our sector should be getting the exposure it deserves. The eSports Foundation has done an incredible job in generating mainstream attention, and industry exposure outside of the standard circuit. Our partnership has enabled us to expand our operations and footprint and it’s through our continued collaboration that I hope we can bring the eSports Awards to the global community, and provide the industry with better visibility all year round,” said The eSports Awards CEO Michael Ashford.
In partnership with the EF, the eSports Awards hosted its 2024 awards ceremony and the 2025 landmark Decade Awards in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia as part of the eSports World Cup program. The Decade Awards, recognizing the most influential figures of the past ten years in eSports, marked a major milestone for the platform, attracting more than 10 million votes and 15 million live and VOD viewers. Honors included Faker as PC Player of the Decade, XQC as Streamer of the Decade, and Team Liquid as Organization of the Decade. The EWC 2026 will be held in Paris, France on July 6-August 23, 2026 where more than 2,000 players and 200 Clubs from over 100 countries across the globe will compete in 25 tournaments across 24 games over seven weeks to crown the next eSports World Cup Club Champion. Voting for the eSports Awards 2026 will begin on July 1, 2026 and ends on August 18, 2026 which coincides with EWC Media Days ahead of the final week of the eSports World Cup 2026 in Paris, France. More details of the eSports Awards 2026 will be announced in the coming weeks.
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Ubisoft's Just Dance To Bring The Heat To Games Of The Future 2026
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| (Image Source: Fitt Insider/Phygital International) |
Games Of The Future (GOTF) has confirmed that Ubisoft's Just Dance is coming back for the 2026 edition. The announcement sees one of the world’s most beloved dance titles return to the phygital stage where competitors must master both physical movement and digital precision in one of sport's most unique competitive formats. Scheduled to take place on August 6-7, 2026 at the Barys Arena within the wider Games running on July 29-August 9, 2026, Phygital Dancing will see top players compete for a US$75,000 prize pool. Designed for both live audiences and broadcast, the competition blends music, movement, and gameplay into a high-energy spectator experience.
The GOTF 2026 Phygital Dancing field is starting to come together as Mokonanye Angelo, Franco Vitali, Dion Visser and Daniil Charapko have each locked in their place for the final showdown in Astana, securing direct qualification through their performance rankings at Phygital Rivals tournaments held throughout the 2025/26 Season. Four of the six remaining spots were decided at Phygital Contenders 2026 Astana last June 10-14, 2026 with Andres Guardo claiming the title, Sagdi as runner-up, Susan Huertas in third and Sergio Mayta in fourth – all securing qualification for the Games of the Future 2026. The final two qualification spots will be determined by overall rankings and confirmed in the coming weeks. With millions of players worldwide, Just Dance has built a passionate global community spanning casual fans, competitive players, and content creators. That community sits at the heart of Phygital Dancing where top competitors combine technical precision with personality, style, and stage presence. As a core discipline at GOTF, it continues to grow as a fan favorite, with recognizable tracks, dynamic gameplay, and full-body performance creating a format that is easy to follow, but difficult to master, delivering a competition that is as entertaining as it is competitive. Phygital International Publisher Relations and IP Licensing Lead William Al-Badeesh said, “What I remember most from Abu Dhabi is walking through the venue and noticing groups of people stopping in the middle of the hall – not because they planned to, but because something caught their attention. When you got closer, it was Phygital Dancing. That kind of organic crowd pull is something you can't manufacture. Just Dance brings energy to the floor that's impossible to ignore, and it's exactly the kind of experience we want to build the Games Of The Future around. Astana is going to take that to another level.”
Ubisoft's Director of Export Natalie Williams said, “We are delighted that Just Dance returns to the main stage at Games Of The Future 2026. It consistently draws crowds at every event with its unbridled joy and energy, and it will be an exciting showcase of international dancers competing for the ultimate prize in a high-level sporting environment.” Phygital Dancing is one of eight disciplines confirmed for GOTF 2026 which will bring together more than 800 participants from over 50 nationalities and is expected to welcome over 100,000 fans across its venues. The inclusion of Phygital Dancing highlights the growing diversity of the competition, bringing rhythm, performance, and precision to the global phygital stage. Adding to the festival atmosphere that defines GOTF, Comic Con Astana (August 5–9) will also take place alongside GOTF 2026, bringing together global communities across gaming, pop culture and digital entertainment, making Astana the ultimate destination for fans of competition, culture and entertainment this summer. Further details on participating teams, qualification pathways, and broadcast information will be available soon on the official GOTF Phygital Dancing webpage.
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Kapuso Actress Bianca Umali Reaffirms Support For Filipino Youth Through World Vision
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| (Image Source: Manila Bulletin/World Vision Philippines) |
For nearly a decade, Kapuso actress and youth advocate Bianca Umali has used her voice and platform to champion causes that uplift vulnerable Filipino children. Through community visits, child sponsorship campaigns, education initiatives, and efforts to end violence against children, she has consistently advocated for the well-being of the country’s youth. These initiatives have been made possible through her longstanding partnership with World Vision Philippines, a Christian humanitarian organization, where she has served as a brand ambassador for the past nine years.
This year, she continues to inspire and support Filipino youth as she renewed her partnership with World Vision through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing held at the organization’s headquarters in Quezon City. Bianca reaffirmed her commitment to the partnership, stating, “In all of the phases of my life, World Vision has been with me in many different ways. Nandito ako bilang partner dahil meron din po akong sariling misyon na gustong i-fulfill. Through the partnership that I have with World Vision, I am able to achieve all of those, and that is why I am grateful and seeing how big an opportunity this is.” What began in 2017 with her appointment as World Vision Philippines’ Youth Ambassador for Education has evolved into a meaningful partnership rooted in service and hope. Throughout the years, Bianca has remained steadfast in her commitment to helping create brighter and more hopeful futures for the country’s most vulnerable children and youth.
Apart from the MOA signing, the event also featured Retired Rear Admiral Armand Balilo, a former World Vision sponsored child, who shared his inspiring journey from growing up in poverty to rising through the ranks of the Philippine Coast Guard with the support of World Vision. The event concluded with the unveiling of the organization’s upcoming campaigns for the third and fourth quarters of the year. World Vision also shared its initial plans and direction for its upcoming 70th anniversary celebration in 2027, marking seven decades of service, advocacy, and hope for Filipino children and communities.
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WalterMart Supports The Love For Learning With Brigada Eskwela 2026
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| (Image Source: Philippines Graphic/WalterMart) |
WalterMart recently concluded its participation in this year’s Brigada Eskwela, joining the Department of Education’s nationwide initiative to prepare public schools for the new academic year. Through customer contributions, employee volunteerism, and education assistance for its employees, the company reinforced its long-standing commitment to education across the communities it serves.
WalterMart’s support for Brigada Eskwela began in 2010 as a simple volunteer cleaning drive in a handful of partner schools. It expanded in 2021 to include the distribution of school kits, growing into a mall-wide campaign that now supports over 1,100 schools and 30,000 students nationwide. This year’s campaign was held in partnership with 150 schools across North Luzon, South Luzon, and Metro Manila. School kits were distributed this year through mall-led and community-based events with partner schools, providing each Grade 1 student a kit made possible by customer support, with additional contributions from partner brands Nagaraya, CDO, Nissin, Presto, Alaska Milk, Similac, Monde Nissin, and Surf. As a gesture of appreciation, customers received a Brigada Eskwela Thank You Card with exclusive vouchers from WalterMart Supermarket, WalterMart Department Store, World of Fun, and Fun Time. WalterMart teams also led school clean-up activities across partner communities, working alongside teachers, parents, and volunteers to prepare classrooms ahead of the school year, with cleaning supplies provided by partner brands Zonrox, Mortein, and Domex. WalterMart also installed pedestrian crossing signages, “Happy Back To School” signages, and safety bollards in participating schools for a safer return to class.
These are just some of the many ways WalterMart supports the community through education, alongside the everyday service it provides through its Supermarket bringing fresh grocery essentials to every household, its Community Malls offering spaces for good food and good times, its Department Store helping every Filipino look and feel their best, and its Grocery Delivery bringing the supermarket closer to home.
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Access To Back-To-School Essentials Made Easier With Home Credit’s Deals As Low As ₱27/Day
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| (Image Source: INQUIRER.net/Home Credit Philippines) |
As Filipino families prepare for the new school year, back-to-school shopping is in full swing. And among the list of other essentials, are learning devices such as laptops, smartphones, and tablets, which have now become important tools for completing schoolwork, conducting research, accessing educational resources, and staying connected throughout the academic year. As a trusted lifestyle partner, Home Credit helps make these back-to-school essentials more accessible, allowing students to stay equipped for the year ahead and families to invest in their children’s education with confidence.
Until July 31, 2026, customers can enjoy deals with as low as 0% interest and zero down payment on select learning devices. Families can choose from a wide range of learning devices available through Home Credit with installment deals starting at just ₱27 per day. Whether upgrading an existing gadget or purchasing a new one for school, these offers make it easier to find a device that fits both academic needs and budget requirements. Families can enjoy Home Credit’s back-to-school offers at more than 18,000 partner stores nationwide. With only one valid ID needed to get started and approvals possible in as fast as one minute, upgrading to essential learning devices is made simple and convenient. Customers can also download the Home Credit App, available on Google Play, the App Store, and Huawei AppGallery, to get it pre-approved and discover deals that fit their needs and budget such as these top tech picks.
• Acer Aspire Lite AL15-41P-R16X Laptop AMD Ryzen 7 5700U 512 GB Silver – A reliable laptop for online classes, research, presentations, and everyday schoolwork, available through Home Credit for as low as ₱1,024 per month or about ₱34 per day for up to 24 months.
• HP Victus 15-fb3132AX Gaming Laptop AMD Ryzen 7 7445H 512 GB Mica Silver – Ideal for programming, multimedia, design, and content creation courses, available through Home Credit for as low as ₱1,707 per month or about ₱57 per day for up to 24 months.
• HONOR X9d 5G 12 GB + 256 GB Reddish Brown Cellphone Mobile Phone – A practical smartphone for educational apps, school files, and everyday communication, available through Home Credit for as low as ₱812 per month or about ₱27 per day for up to 18 months.
• Huawei Matepad 11.5 S PaperMatte Edition WiFi 8 GB + 256 GB Space Grey Tablet – Well-suited for note-taking, reading digital learning materials, and attending online classes, available through Home Credit for as low as ₱1,154 per month or about ₱38 per day for up to 18 months.
Shop for back-to-school essentials with Home Credit today! Discover Home Credit’s offers on essential learning devices and find a financing option that works for you.
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Staying Connected With Xiaomi’s Durable, Water-Resistant Ecosystem
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| (Image Source: Manila Standard/Xiaomi Philippines) |
For urban professionals, fitness enthusiasts, and daily commuters, the onset of the wet season brings a familiar set of challenges. Unpredictable afternoon downpours and sudden rain showers not only ruin plans, but they also make durable, water-resistant technology a real necessity rather than a luxury. This is where Xiaomi recently introduced its latest ecosystem of highly durable personal tech: the Xiaomi 17T Series smartphones, the Xiaomi Watch S5, and the Xiaomi Buds 6. All weather resistant, all worry-free tech. Running on the unified Xiaomi HyperOS 3 platform, this lineup delivers durability, weather protection, and seamless device-to-device connectivity to keep users productive and connected through unexpected weather conditions.
First, featuring an elite IP68 dust and water resistance rating, the Xiaomi 17T Series is engineered to withstand accidental liquid contact, heavy rain, and immersion in static freshwater up to a depth of 1.5 meters for up to 30 minutes. Meanwhile, the Xiaomi Watch S5 (46mm) is designed as an always-on companion that ignores wet conditions during outdoor tracking and busy commutes. Its 5ATM Water Resistance, rated for swimming, pool-side use, and outdoor activities in severe rain, makes the Watch S5 stand up to heavy sweat and water splashes, whether you’re running on the road in the rain, working out in the gym, or swimming in the pool. And of course, the Xiaomi Buds 6 delivers consistent, high-resolution audio without exposing internal components to humidity and moisture during outdoor use. Weighing only 4.4g per earbud, they are shaped to sit gently in the ear canal while minimizing pressure on the tragus, securing a stable fit during daily commutes or workouts. Unifying these three devices is Xiaomi HyperOS 3, which simplifies inter-device controls. Users can manage audio sources on their Xiaomi Buds 6, monitor incoming alerts from their Xiaomi 17T Series phone, and track workouts on their Watch S5 with zero latency.
Whether you’re navigating a sudden monsoon or heading out for a rainy morning workout, this ecosystem provides the durability, water resistance, and connectivity required to handle any weather — wet or dry — safely. Get ready for the rain with the Xiaomi 17T Series, Xiaomi Watch S5, and Xiaomi Buds 6, which are now available in the Philippines via the Official Xiaomi Store or via authorized flagship outlets on Shopee and Lazada and Xiaomi stores nationwide.
