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| L-R: Incident Management Team Liaison Officer Jowil Ceasar Berdos, Incident Commander Mark Christopher Quiño, Incident Management Team Planning Section Chief Jay Oliver Eda, Incident Management Team Operations Section Chief Rene Cutamora (Image Source: Manila Standard/Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation) |
Whenever communities are in need, the timeless spirit of Bayanihan reminds us that there will always be hands ready to lift them up. Following the recent earthquake that struck off Mindanao, relief efforts have quickly mobilized to support heavily affected areas, particularly within the province of Sarangani. Because electricity is one of the most critical needs in the aftermath of a disaster, Jackery Philippines responded to the urgent call for assistance from the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF), the country’s primary private-sector coordinator for disaster risk reduction and management.
Stepping forward to provide critical aid, Jackery has donated a suite of portable power stations and solar panels directly to the Local Government Units (LGUs) of Malapatan and Glan in Sarangani to power immediate rescue efforts and strengthen future emergency preparedness. Key officials from both LGUs, who led the Incident Command Systems during the Magnitude 7.8 earthquake and Typhoon Inday, recently received the donated Jackery portable power stations and solar panels at the Malapatan Incident Command Post. These units aim to provide a much-needed power source for disaster response and recovery efforts, which can be deployed immediately across emergency operations centers, makeshift medical stations, and vital community charging hubs. Malapatan, Sarangani LGU's Incident Commander Mark Christopher Quiño shared, “Having power is very important for our rescue team so we can stay connected, especially during emergencies, so we are very thankful to Jackery and PDRF for this big donation. This will really help our team serve the people of Malapatan, Sarangani better.” Earthquakes inevitably disrupt local infrastructure and traditional power lines are often the first to fail. This sudden loss of electricity complicates critical tasks, such as coordinating rescue teams and ensuring communication channels remain operational – but by delivering plug-and-play solutions, Jackery provides responders with an alternative that avoids fuel dependencies and logistical challenges typical of traditional gas generators.
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| L-R: Malapatan, Sarangani LGU Incident Commander Mark Christopher Quiño; MDRRMO Glan Operations and Warning Section Chief Christopher Caballero; several staff members of MDRRMO Glan (Image Source: Manila Standard/Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation) |
Cognetics Inc. Head of Marketing and Emerging Businesses Igue Bonifacio shared, “At the heart of Jackery is a simple promise: to champion a ‘Life Uninterrupted’ for Filipinos. When the PDRF reached out about the situation in Sarangani, there was no hesitation from our end. With this donation, we wanted to ensure the community has the dependable power they need while rescue and recovery efforts are underway. This is our way of standing with the nation, ensuring that no community is left to rebuild in the dark.” This collaboration between Jackery and PDRF underscores a meaningful path toward disaster management in the Philippines, showcasing how sustainable solutions can be seamlessly integrated into humanitarian aid, helping communities become less vulnerable to prolonged grid outages and eventually creating a safer, more self-reliant foundation for the future.
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Jollibee Is Voted USA TODAY’s No. 1 Best Fast Food Fried Chicken For Third Straight Year
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| (Image Source: Jollibee Group) |
Jollibee has once again been hailed the No. 1 Best Fast Food Fried Chicken in the U.S. in USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, securing the top spot for the third consecutive year. Voted on by USA TODAY readers, the latest recognition reaffirms Jollibee Chickenjoy’s reputation for consistently delivering the crispy, juicy, and delicious taste that customers love in the highly competitive U.S quick-service restaurant market. Its third straight win also shows that Chickenjoy fried chicken’s exceptional taste is not a one-time achievement, but a quality standard that Jollibee continues to uphold.
“Receiving this recognition for the third consecutive year is especially meaningful because it reflects the consistency of the quality, taste, and customer experience that we work hard to deliver with every serving in Chickenjoy. It gives us even greater confidence in Jollibee’s ability to deepen customer trust and brand love in more markets, as we continue bringing the products and experiences that have made our brand a source of joy for many families,” said Jollibee Group Global President and Chief Executive Officer Ernesto Tanmantiong. Known for its golden, crispy exterior and juicy, delicious chicken, Chickenjoy fried chicken continues to earn the loyalty of customers across markets. The win marks another milestone in Jollibee’s growing list of international accolades, having previously been named: The Best Fast-Food Fried Chicken by Eater.com (2022) for Chickenjoy, and Best Chain Fried Chicken in America by Thrillist (2021). With around 100 stores in North America and over 1,800 locations worldwide, Jollibee has become one of the fastest-growing restaurant brands globally. The brand continues to attract fans across cultures through its joyful customer experience and crave-worthy offerings, with recognitions such as USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Award adding to its global brand momentum.
“We are deeply grateful to the USA TODAY readers who voted for Jollibee and to our loyal customers who continue to share their love for the brand. This recognition also reflects the dedication of our teams who prepare and serve Chickenjoy every day, helping ensure a joyful and satisfying experience with every visit. It inspires us to keep delivering the Jollibee experience people love, while introducing it to even more customers across North America and beyond,” said Jollibee Philippine Brands North America President Maribeth dela Cruz. The USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards feature recommendations across food, travel, destinations, and experiences in the United States. Nominees are selected by experts while the final rankings are determined through public voting.
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Ayala Malls Brings People Together Through Movies
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| (Image Source: Starmometer/Ayala Malls) |
In an age of endless scrolling, streaming platforms, and individual screens, the cinema remains one of the few places where people can still share laughter, excitement, and unforgettable moments together in real time. For many Filipinos, going to the movies was more than just watching a film, it was about coordinating schedules, booking tickets in advance, planning what to wear, or continuing conversations over food right after. Moviegoing was often more about spending time together than it was about the film itself.
While entertainment habits have evolved over the years, certain films spark the same kind of joy that brings people together, reminding audiences why moviegoing remains a favorite pastime for many. Through premium cinema formats, convenient booking options, and on-ground experiences that go beyond the big screen, Ayala Malls continues to make those moments more accessible and enjoyable. “Today, we can watch videos anytime, anywhere. But nothing quite compares to gathering around a movie and experiencing it together. At Ayala Malls, we see how a movie outing can bring families together, reunite friends, and create shared moments that people remember long after the movie ends. That’s why we’re creating more ways for people to enjoy the experience together – from Red Carpet Mondays and themed activations inspired by the films to comfortable cinemas that make every movie date fun, memorable, and something to look forward to again and again,” said Ayala Malls Head of Marketing and Consumer Experience Mae Dichupa. Now running until November 30, 2026, Red Carpet Mondays brings back Ayala Malls Cinemas’ Buy One, Get One movie tickets every Monday. The promotion turns the start of the week into a shared night out, giving people another reason to gather, connect, and create memories with family and friends.
Ultimately, moviegoing remains one of the most meaningful ways for people to gather and connect, and Ayala Malls is proud to provide a space where those moments happen. With premium cinemas including the larger-than-life A-Giant screens and the premium comfort of A-Luxe theaters, blockbuster releases, immersive events, and the return of Red Carpet Mondays, Ayala Malls is giving Filipinos more reasons to come together and make moviegoing part of their routines again.
Rediscover the joy of the big screen at Ayala Malls. Plan your next movie outing and book your tickets through www.ayalaallaccess.com.
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LG Launches “Experience Korea With LG WashTower™” Promo, Giving Filipinos A Chance To Win Flights To Seoul
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| (Image Source: MegaBites/LG Electronics Philippines) |
LG Electronics Philippines (LG) has launched the Experience Korea with LG WashTower™ raffle promotion, giving Filipino consumers the opportunity to win exciting prizes, including roundtrip flights to Seoul, South Korea — the home of LG innovation and one of Asia’s most dynamic lifestyle destinations. The promotion invites consumers to experience LG’s premium laundry solution while getting a chance to discover the culture, technology and lifestyle that continue to inspire LG’s home appliance innovations. Customers who purchase participating LG WashTower™ models during the promotional period will be eligible to join the raffle and win a range of prizes, headlined by roundtrip flights to Seoul and other exciting LG home appliance rewards.
The Experience Korea with LG WashTower™ campaign also marks a significant milestone for LG’s premium laundry category. LG WashTower™ has surpassed 3.2 million units sold globally, reflecting growing consumer trust in the solution across markets worldwide. The milestone reinforces LG’s commitment to developing home appliances designed to simplify everyday living through thoughtful innovation, premium design and advanced technology. As more households embrace efficient and space-saving laundry solutions, LG WashTower™ continues to gain recognition for delivering convenience without compromising performance. By integrating the washer and dryer into a unified design, LG WashTower™ has become a preferred choice for consumers seeking a streamlined laundry experience. Its continued adoption across global markets highlights LG’s ability to respond to evolving lifestyle needs through customer-focused innovation. More than a raffle promotion, the campaign offers consumers a closer connection to the Korean innovation and lifestyle that have shaped LG’s home appliance technologies for decades. From intelligent laundry care features to premium aesthetics designed for modern homes, LG WashTower™ reflects the company’s approach to creating appliances that support everyday convenience while elevating the home experience. The opportunity to visit Seoul allows winners to experience firsthand the culture, creativity and technological advancement associated with Korea, deepening their connection to the inspiration behind many of LG’s innovations. In addition to the grand prize of roundtrip flights to Seoul, lucky winners will also have the chance to take home a selection of LG home appliance prizes, bringing even more value to their purchase. The promotion is designed to reward customers who choose LG WashTower™ while celebrating the product’s continued success as one of the company’s leading premium home appliance solutions.
Adding even more value to the promotion, customers can enjoy special savings on participating LG WashTower™ models. The WT1410NHEG is available for ₱99,995, reduced from ₱149,995 for savings of ₱50,000, while the WT2117NHB is offered at ₱129,995, down from ₱185,995 for savings of ₱56,000. From now until August 31, 2026, customers who purchase participating LG WashTower™ models from authorized partner stores nationwide can earn raffle entries for a chance to win exciting prizes including roundtrip flights to Seoul, South Korea and premium LG home appliances including the LG Bottom Freezer InstaView™ Refrigerator, LG CordZero™ Canister Vacuum, and LG NeoChef™ Smart Inverter Microwave Oven. Visit participating LG authorized dealers today and register your purchase at www.lgpromoregistration.ph for your chance to experience Korea with LG WashTower™.
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Explore The E3 Of Years Past Like Never Before In Brand New Collections From The Video Game History Foundation
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| (Image Source: YouTube/Video Game History Foundation) |
As part of its continually growing physical library and digital archive, the Video Game History Foundation (VGHF) is excited to announce it is adding a plethora of materials from the Electronics Entertainment Expo (commonly referred to as “E3”), the larger-than-life tradeshow that came to dominate games media and heavily influence the industry itself for over 20 years. The show was synonymous with the annual gathering of the games industry where the biggest announcements were made, high production booths and top talent congregated; and inspired the current era of showcases. The VGHF is proud to provide these materials exclusively and for free via the Digital Archive for anyone researching the history of E3 which include:
• One of the largest single collections of E3 ephemera: Carolyn Rauch, a founding member of the Interactive Digital Software Association (ISDA) which is the industry trade organization prior to Entertainment Software Association, who oversaw E3 planning and execution for most of the event’s lifespan has provided more than 1,000 pages of materials like flyers, brochures, press kits, event photographs, panel transcripts, industry reports and materials meant originally for exhibitors or advertisers. The collection also includes materials from the 2007-2008 E3 Media & Business Summit, the short-lived invite-only gathering that rarely gets discussed in gaming history.
• Video footage of early E3 years: Ever wanted to see the only known footage of the surprise launch of the Sega Saturn or of PlayStation’s mic drop price announcement for the original PlayStation? Developer Anthony Parisi has donated the copyright for his collection of videos, containing hours of footage from the first four years.
• Direct Capture and B-roll of pre-release games: Indulge in seeing early footage of Super Mario 64, Star Fox 64, Crash Bandicoot Warped and more; in addition to Rareware’s infamously unreleased Conker’s Quest, all at the highest quality ever to been seen.
• Official Guides and Citizen Journalism: Dig through a newly complete collection of E3 directory books listing every booth, company and presentation. Check out 1,500 pages of the E3 Show Daily, the official magazine - and maybe hear a little about the after-hours events you’d never see in traditional gaming press. Round it out with video footage from defunct media publishing groups exploring corners of the show others may never have visited, ie. interview with legendary developer Jeff Minter on Defender 2000.
Moreover, the VGHF team sat down with two of the founding members of the Interactive Digital Software Association, Doug Lowenstein and E3 showrunner Carolyn Rauch, to discuss the founding of E3, the many challenges and the show’s evolution in the latest episode of The Video Game History Hour podcast. The VGHF blog post also features an extensive comment from long-time event director of E3, Mary Dolaher, who touches on everything from celebrity chaos to Make-a-Wish partnerships. The new E3 collection is another step in the VGHF’s ongoing commitment to preserving and celebrating the history of video games, making it possible for anyone – from academics to average enthusiasts – to research and tell the story of E3 and the industry beyond. Previous collections include the Game Developers Conference (GDC) - Proceedings Books and Tapes. Additional highlights will be featured in the near future on the VGHF blog and official YouTube channel.
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Games For Change Announces 2026 Award Winners
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| (Image Source: Games Press/Games For Change) |
Games For Change (G4C), the nonprofit organization dedicated to harnessing games and immersive media for social impact, recently announced the winners for the 2026 Games for Change Awards. Chosen from a field of submissions spanning 42 countries, the winners were revealed live at the G4C Awards Ceremony, held during the annual Games for Change Festival in New York and hosted by actors Anjali Bhimani (Overwatch, Apex Legends, Ms. Marvel) and Osric Chau (Supernatural, Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency).
“It has been a remarkable year for games made with purpose, and these winners show the breadth of it. They come from studios and institutions across five continents, each one turning to a game or interactive experience to say something that mattered to them. That is what we’re celebrating – how global this work has become,” said G4C President Susanna Pollack. Here are the 2026 Games for Change Awards winners.
Game/Experience Of The Year: South of Midnight (Compulsion Games) – An action-adventure set in the American Deep South, where a young woman learns to weave an ancient power as she confronts folkloric creatures and uncovers her family's hidden past.
Best Narrative, Best Gameplay, Indie Breakout Award: Consume Me (Hexecutable) – A semi-autobiographical life-sim RPG where every small choice about eating, studying, and fitting in feeds an all-consuming drive to become “better”.
Best In Impact: and Roger (TearyHand Studio) – A touching, interactive novel about seeing the world through someone else's reality.
Best In Learning: The Darkest Files (Paintbucket Games) – An investigation and courtroom game set in 1956 Germany, where the player works as a prosecutor building cases against former Nazis who escaped justice.
Best In Community Empowerment: Relooted (Nyamakop) – An African futurist heist game where players plan and pull off missions to reclaim real looted African artifacts from Western museums and private collections.
Best In Environmental Impact: FACEMINER (Wristwork) – A narrative-driven management sim set in 1999 that casts the player as the operator of a biometric data empire, tracing the environmental cost of data and computing.
Best In Health & Wellness: ARWell PRO (Augment Therapy) – An augmented reality exergaming platform that turns a person's body into the controller, letting clinicians build and remotely monitor therapeutic movement programs across clinic and home settings.
Best In XR & Emerging Media: A Long Goodbye (Timescapes & Polygoat) – An animated, interactive VR experience that places the participant in the life of Ida, a 72-year-old pianist living with dementia, across a single fading day.
Best Platform-Based Project: Planet Planners on Roblox (Playerthree & BBC Bitesize) – A curriculum-linked geography game where students travel to real-world environments and make decisions about challenges such as natural disasters, coastal erosion, and city management.
Best Board Or Tabletop Game For Impact: Ciclo do Poder / Cycle of Power (Fiocruz) – A cooperative tabletop game for up to ten players that helps a character named Cris navigate her first menstrual cycle and opens conversations about menstrual health in schools.
The G4C Awards also recognized special award honorees for their broader contributions to games and social impact. These include:
Vanguard Award: Jenn Panattoni – A pioneer of social impact work inside the games industry, Panattoni founded the Xbox Social Impact team in 2018 and built campaigns that generated more than $250M (250 million dollars) in value for nonprofits worldwide. She now leads Aizle Impact, an agency building cause partnerships across gaming and entertainment.
Industry Leadership Award: thatgamecompany – For two decades, thatgamecompany has reimagined what games can be, with titles including Flower, Journey, and Sky: Children of the Light that put emotion and human connection at their core. Led by co-founder and game director Jenova Chen, the studio's Sky: Children of the Light has passed 300 million downloads since its 2019 launch.
Giving Award: SpecialEffect – Since 2007, the UK charity SpecialEffect has helped people with physical disabilities play video games through individually tailored assistive technology including eye-control and adapted controllers. Its occupational therapists and gaming specialists build bespoke setups for hundreds of players each year and share what they learn as free, open resources.
Accessibility Award: EA Sports FC 26 (EA Sports) – One of the first sports titles to include a High Contrast Mode usable in competitive play, alongside text-to-speech, colorblind filters, customizable subtitles, and gameplay assists that widen access for players with a range of disabilities.
