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| (Image Source: Mindanao Times/LaunchStrong) |
The Philippine-founded e-commerce mentorship program LaunchStrong marks its first year, having mentored over 150 first-time Filipino founders and facilitated the development of more that 100 homegrown brands at various stages to date. The milestone highlights a growing movement of aspiring Filipino entrepreneurs turning raw concepts into viable, more accessible, and market ready consumer products.
Founded in 2025 by entrepreneur Jungie Gumiran, LaunchStrong is a five-week live mentorship program designed to help aspiring Filipino founders navigate the early stages of building an e-commerce business. The program covers mentorship on product ideation and validation, supplier sourcing, positioning, pricing, branding, launch strategy, customer acquisition, and early-stage growth. Based on its data, about 80% of first-time founders who joined the program without an existing product or e-commerce background have successfully progressed toward launching their first online business. The program has supported brands across categories including wellness and supplements, food and beverage, personal care, pet care, and fashion. Among the brands developed through LaunchStrong are wellness brands Eat Move Love and Pharmatrust, food brand Magic Bowl, Bathcare Tonios, Filipino clothing brand TELA Pinoy, and pet care brand NanaPro Litter. “E-commerce in the Philippines is becoming much easier to enter, but harder to win. Opening a marketplace store or having a good product is no longer enough. Aspiring founders can generate sales and still lose money if they don’t fully understand business economics, platform fees, logistics, inventory, and cash flow. Success, more than just the launch, is making better decisions before putting hard-earned capital at risk so the business can survive and scale,” said Gumiran. Gumiran’s practitioner-led approach stems from his experience scaling his own homegrown wellness brand JUJU Lifestyle. Founded in 2021, JUJU has served more than 300,000 customers and expanded to over 20 retail partners within its first year of entering physical retail including SouthStar Drug, HeyDay, Wellness Plus, and various specialty clinics and fitness studios. Gumiran also brings lessons from scaling digital marketing agency frameworks and experiencing major early-stage setbacks which shaped his focus on risk mitigation and strict product validation.
Through his educational platform AdsLevelUp, Gumiran has also coached over 30,000 CEOs, freelancers, marketers, and business owners across 200+ training sessions and workshops since 2019. Entering its second year, LaunchStrong aims to continue supporting more aspiring and first-time Filipino founders across every stage of building a brand — from ideation, validation, supplier sourcing, positioning, pricing, branding, launch, customer acquisition, and early-stage growth. “Our vision is to give first-time founders the practical perspective to realize that they can build a brand from scratch, regardless of where they are starting from. In our second year, we want to equip more Filipinos with the skills, discipline, and execution capability to build sustainable consumer brands that can compete nationally and eventually scale beyond the Philippines,” said Gumiran. The program is set to launch its next five-week live mentorship cohort on December 2026, bringing together entrepreneurs to discuss the practical challenges of building and scaling e-commerce businesses.
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Siena College Of Taytay Champions Learning For All With PLDT, Smart Disability Sensitivity Training
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| (Image Source: Manila Bulletin/Smart Communications Inc.) |
Siena College of Taytay (SCT) in Rizal province is making the school more inclusive for all students, especially those with disabilities. With SCT being a valued partner in the PLDT Group’s education initiatives, PLDT and Smart, together with ATRIEV (Adaptive Technology for Rehabilitation, Integration, and Empowerment of the Visually Impaired), hosted a disability sensitivity workshop for its teachers and support personnel. “Inclusivity is part of our agenda. The training is especially helpful for our teachers because it gives them the opportunity to really deepen their understanding of learners with disabilities,” said SCT President Sr. Rosalea Busilac, O.P. She added that the college also sees the session as an opportunity to identify further improvements to its facilities to better serve students with disabilities.
The training is part of a broader push by PLDT and Smart to expand access to education for underrepresented groups. “We believe that no learner should be left behind. Our #KonektedForInclusion program aims to create opportunities for underrepresented sectors of society such as persons with disabilities through capacity building and digital skills training. These initiatives empower target beneficiaries to gain access to inclusive quality education or sustainable livelihood,” said PLDT and Smart Assistant Vice President and Head of Stakeholder Management Stephanie V. Orlino. Facilitators from ATRIEV, who are persons with disabilities themselves, led the discussion on understanding different types of disabilities and the reasonable support or accommodation needed for an inclusive classroom. “The seminar made us realize that we have to be more understanding and considerate of everyone’s situation. Instead of expecting students with disabilities to adjust to us, we also need to learn how to adjust and provide the support they need,” said Ann Dolores, secretary to the College Dean of the Service Education Department. The workshop also addressed unconscious bias, misconceptions, and language that can unintentionally discriminate against or offend a person with disability. Teachers took part in role-playing activities to simulate and demonstrate how best to assist persons with disabilities and understand challenges from their perspective. “Walking in their shoes, the workshop taught us how to help students with different disabilities. I also learned how to communicate and relate with neurodivergent learners, what to do when they’re under stress,” said Marilu L. Sablayan, who works at the Registrar’s Office and serves as the president of the Auxiliary Support Personnel Association. “Training like this opens our minds to the reality of learners with disabilities. The experiences shared by people with disabilities show us what is possible and help us rethink how we teach. We are now looking at how we can redesign our curriculum to make our classes more inclusive,” said Jerome Mauricio of the Office of the Prefect of Student Formation and Activities and a lecturer at the College of Hospitality, Tourism and Culinary Management.
The continued partnership between PLDT, Smart and SCT underscores their shared commitment to advancing inclusive education and expanding opportunities for Filipino learners of all abilities. The school is a longtime member of the Smart Wireless Engineering Education Program (SWEEP), having renewed its participation in the initiative in 2025. The disability sensitivity workshop under the PLDT Group’s #KonektedForInclusion program highlights its commitment to helping the country achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG), particularly SDG 4 on Quality Education and SDG 10 on Reduced Inequalities.
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Aral Ngayon, Trabaho Bukas: Building A Future-Ready Filipino Youth
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| Scholars and partners formalize the Upskill-To-Work program at Tagaytay Highlands. By aligning technical-vocational training with industry-demand skills, the program empowers the youth to become active drivers of economic growth. (Image Source: Philippines Graphic/SM Foundation Inc.) |
SM Foundation Inc. (SMFI) launched the first two tracks of its Upskill-To-Work Scholarship Program this August, partnering with Highlands Prime Inc. (HPI) and Costa del Hamilo Inc. (CDHI) last August 17 at the Tagaytay Highlands and with SM Retail last August 24 at SM Retail Headquarters in Pasay City. The program provides underserved young Filipinos with industry-specific skills training and guaranteed full-time employment within the SM Group upon certification. The program addresses the persistent gap between education, skills, and industry needs through a demand-driven approach that begins with identifying workforce requirements, followed by targeted skills training and certification, and ultimately deployment to full-time employment. This is anchored on the program’s core principle “Aral ngayon, trabaho bukas”. Each industry track is built around specific SM business units’ hiring needs, with each business unit committing in advance to employ scholars who complete training.
The first track saw SMFI, HPI, and CDHI formalizing partnerships with five contractor companies that will provide employment opportunities for scholars pursuing construction and electrical trades: FMJ Marketing & Electrical Services, represented by President Ramel B. Francisco; Jethrock Construction Corporation, represented by Vice President for Operations Engr. Jeth Anthony M. Ybañez; Megabuilders & Building Care Services Corp., represented by CEO Pablito Constantino; Radja Builders & Enterprise, represented by owner Ricardo Daos Jr.; and Rizhle Construction & Development Corporation, represented by President Emillie V. Ronquillo. Scholars in this track will undergo training at Don Bosco One TVET Technical-Vocational School, a TESDA-certified institution, before moving into jobs supporting ongoing projects under HPI and CDHI. “Ang SM Foundation ay kasalukuyang may 3,500 SM college scholars naka-enroll ngayon sa mahigit na dalawang daan na colleges at universities nationwide; ngunit napansin namin ang isang sektor na hindi pa naaabot, ang sektor ng mga kabataan na hindi nakakapagkolehiyo at walang hanapbuhay. Maraming naghahanap ng manggagawa sa iba’t ibang industriya pero hindi sapat ang abilidad ng mga kabataan para matanggap sila sa trabaho. Wala rin silang hawak na katibayan ng kanilang kasanayan kagaya ng NCII level ng TESDA,” said SMFI Executive Director for Education Linda Atayde on the rationale behind the program. SMFI Board Trustee Arlene Keh, one of the program’s champions, echoed that same spirit in her inspirational address to the scholars, stating, “Wag kayong matakot mangarap kung anong gusto niyong maging sa kinabukasan. Magtiyaga at magsipag dahil itong unang trabaho natin, umpisa pa lamang ito. Sa loob ng dalawang linggo, sa tulong ng ating partner school na Don Bosco, magkakaroon kayo ng skills na maari niyong gamitin para magkaroon kayo ng [maayos na] trabaho.” “Dream boldly, commit to the work” is an important value the program seeks to instill in its scholars. Hence, in each class, scholars elect their own class beadle, a peer chosen to lead discussions and help keep the group on track. It is a small but deliberate structure integrated into the program, giving scholars an early, hands-on opportunity to practice leadership, collaboration, and teamwork among themselves, well before their first day on the job.
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| The pioneer batch of Upskill-To-Work scholars gathers at the SM Retail Headquarters in Pasay City. This milestone marks their first step toward securing full-time employment and becoming productive contributors to the country’s vibrant retail economy. (Image Source: Philippines Graphic/SM Foundation Inc.) |
Meanwhile, the second track welcomed the company’s first batch of 19 scholars into an intensive two-month training program leading to a TESDA-accredited NC II Retail Customer Service Certification. Training will be conducted directly by SM Retail’s HR and Training team. Upon completion, scholars will be offered jobs and deployed to SM Retail stores across Metro Manila. In her speech, SM Prime Holdings Inc. Senior Vice President for SM Retail Human Resources Leny Hernandez shared, “Sa programang ito, matutunan niyo ang value of drive, enthusiasm, and grit. Hindi madali ang trabaho, pero kailangan mahalin ang trabaho. Magdagdag ng kaalaman, mag upskill, at [matutunang] mahalin ang trabaho,” referring to what the scholars will gain from the program. Both launches fall under the program’s first nationwide batch which offers more than 260 scholarship slots in partnership with SM business units SM Retail (SMRI), SM Development Corporation (SMDC), HPI, CDHI, Goldilocks, and Brownies. The program is designed to give underserved Filipino youth a secure path from training to full-time employment, while preparing them not only for the jobs of tomorrow, but also to become confident, capable, and purpose-driven members of the workforce long after their training ends.
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FEU’s 98-Year Legacy Of Education, Heritage, And Civic Responsibility
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| An archival photo of FEU Nicanor Reyes Hall, originally published in Braving The Odds: Far Eastern University’s Journey And Legacies by Alfredo Roces (Image Source: Philippines Graphic/Far Eastern University) |
Along Nicanor Reyes Street, the Art Deco buildings of Far Eastern University (FEU) have stood through decades of change in Manila. Their geometric façades and sweeping lines form one of the most recognizable campuses in the University Belt, serving not only as classrooms and offices but also as enduring landmarks in the city’s architectural landscape. FEU is home to the country’s largest ensemble of Art Deco buildings. Six of these structures, designed by National Artist for Architecture Pablo Antonio and his son Pablo Jr., have been declared National Cultural Treasures. Rather than standing as monuments to a bygone period, they remain in active use, making architectural preservation part of the school community’s everyday experience.
Founded in 1928, FEU has been in the heart of Manila for 98 years. Its presence has helped define the character of the city while generations of students have passed through its classrooms during periods of reconstruction, urban growth, and social change. That history gave wider context to a distinction conferred last June 18, 2026 when FEU received the Natatanging Tagapagbayad ng Buwis para sa Negosyo (Korporasyon) award during the Gawad Manileño 2026 at the Metropolitan Theater. Held as part of Manila’s 455th founding anniversary celebration, the awards recognized individuals and organizations whose dedication and service support the capital’s development. In his remarks, Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso emphasized that building a city is a shared responsibility, stressing, “A great city is not built by the government alone; it is built by the citizens who choose to care.” FEU was the only university represented among the corporate awardees during the ceremony. FEU Vice President for Corporate Affairs Dr. Rowena Capulong Reyes accepted the recognition, stating, “[Our] history has always been closely linked with the history of Manila. For almost 100 years, FEU has grown alongside the city and its people. We are honored by this distinction and remain committed to contributing to Manila through education, culture, community engagement, and nation-building.” The award draws attention to a form of civic participation less immediately visible than a heritage campus or an educational legacy. Fulfilling its financial obligations allows an institution to take part in the city’s development while demonstrating fiscal responsibility, accountability, and responsible corporate citizenship.
FEU Chief Finance Officer Rosanna Salcedo said the recognition reflects the university’s approach to financial stewardship, commenting, “This recognition reflects FEU’s commitment to responsible corporate citizenship and good governance. It underscores the university’s strong financial stewardship, integrity, and accountability while demonstrating that FEU not only educates future leaders but also actively contributes to the sustainable growth and progress of the community it serves.” FEU will mark its centennial in 2028. The milestone will commemorate not only a century of education, but also a century since the university made Manila its home and became part of the city’s continuing life.
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Taptap Send And GCash International Expand Easier, More Accessible Remittances For Filipinos In Bahrain
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| (Image Source: APPSGADGET/GCash) |
For many OFWs, sending money home helps cover everyday needs, from household expenses and education to healthcare and savings. To make remittances more accessible to Filipinos in Bahrain, Taptap Send has expanded its international network through a partnership with GCash, the Philippines’ #1 finance superapp and largest cashless ecosystem. The partnership offers OFWs in Bahrain a seamless way to send money directly to GCash accounts. For a limited time, users can enjoy zero transfer fees (standard foreign exchange rates still apply).
The collaboration is part of broader efforts by GCash to work with accredited international partners to provide Filipinos abroad with safer, more convenient ways to send money home. Beyond Bahrain, the service will expand to the United States including Hawaii (excluding Las Vegas), Canada, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, Australia, and select European countries including Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Mayotte, the Netherlands, Portugal, Réunion, Slovakia, Spain, Romania, Denmark, Norway, Czechia, Hungary, and Sweden. “Our partnership with GCash allows us to make it even easier for overseas Filipinos to send money home through a trusted digital platform. By offering convenient transfers, competitive exchange rates, and zero transaction fees in supported corridors, we want to help OFWs make every remittance count and stay connected to the people who matter most,” said TapTap Send Head of Philippine Growth and Southeast Asia Expansion Faye Sta. Ana-Corpuz. The partnership also highlights the importance of using official and accredited remittance channels which provide greater transaction security and traceability while reducing risks associated with unaccredited or difficult-to-trace intermediaries. GCash International Vice President for International Payments Carlos Bauza shared, “At GCash, we recognize the important role remittances play in helping Filipino families manage their everyday needs and build a more secure financial future. By working with trusted international partners like Taptap Send, we are expanding access to safe, convenient, and reliable ways for Filipinos abroad to send money home while strengthening their connection to the Philippines.” For overseas Filipinos in Bahrain, sending money to GCash through TapTap Send is straightforward.
1. Open the Taptap Send app and select Philippines as the destination
2. Choose GCash as the delivery method
3. Enter the recipient’s registered GCash mobile number; the number should start with a Philippine (+63) or Bahrain (+973)
4. Ensure the number is correct and complete the transaction
*Zero transfer fees are automatically applied; forex rates apply. This offer is available for a limited time.
The collaboration reflects the growing role of digital financial services in helping overseas Filipinos stay connected with their families and communities in the Philippines while making cross-border remittances more accessible, secure, and convenient.
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SM Cyberzone Brings The TCG Community Together At Card Collective
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| (Image Source: SM Supermalls) |
SM Cyberzone, SM Supermalls’ destination for technology, gadgets, computing, and gaming with branches nationwide bringing together trusted brands, the latest tech finds, and experiences for work and play, brought together collectors, competitive players, and casual hobbyists for Cyberzone Card Collective, a two-day trading card game (TCG) festival held last August 29-30, 2026 at the Main Mall Atrium of SM Mall of Asia.
Held as the capstone of Cyberzone’s Tech and Play Month and among Cyberzone's community-first activations throughout the year, Card Collective brought the brand into a different side of the tech and gaming community — one built around trading cards, competition, and shared interests. True to its “Tech We Like, Zone We Love” ethos, Cyberzone created a space where collectors and players could come together around a hobby they already love. The festival’s tournament lineup brought together players across three popular trading card games — Pokémon TCG, Magic: The Gathering, and Riftbound: League of Legends — creating a space for seasoned players and first-timers to play, compete, and connect. Beyond the tournaments, attendees also had opportunities to trade cards, join TCG trivia and card break sessions, and explore a marketplace featuring card merchants and collectibles. Tournament participants and winners also took home booster packs and other card game goodies from the featured titles.
“Card Collective showed us that our community goes beyond gadgets and consoles. Over two days, we saw collectors and players come together to trade, compete, open packs, and simply enjoy the hobby they love, the energy was incredible, and that’s exactly what Cyberzone is all about: bringing passionate communities together, creating unforgettable experiences and giving enthusiasts a place to connect at their most loved SM mall,” said SM Supermalls Vice President for Cyberzone Management Patrick G. Pacla.
