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| L-R: Emirates Senior Regional Manager for Commercial Operations Tatiana Korshunova, Emirates Senior Vice President of Far East Commercial Operations Orhan Abbas, OWWA Deputy Administrator Ryan Vincent L. Uy, OWWA-Dubai Welfare Officer Martel R. Dasayon (Image Source: Starmometer/Emirates) |
Emirates has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to explore collaborative initiatives that support the welfare, empowerment and positive representation of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their families. The agreement was signed by Emirates Senior Vice President of Far East Commercial Operations Orhan Abbas and OWWA Vice-Chairperson Attorney Patricia Yvonne M. Caunan with Emirates Senior Regional Manager for Commercial Operations Tatiana Korshunova, OWWA Deputy Administrator Ryan Vincent L. Uy, and OWWA-Dubai Welfare Officer Martel R. Dasayon among others witnessing the said event.
The partnership comes at a time when the welfare of Filipino workers abroad has moved further into focus. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority’s 2024 Survey on Overseas Filipinos, the UAE is now the second-largest destination for Filipino workers globally, home to an estimated 271,000 OFWs. Cash remittances from the UAE reflect this scale, reaching US$750.3M (750.3 million US dollars) in the first half of 2026, up 4.3% from US$719.6M (719.6 million US dollars) in the same period last year, per Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) data. Through this collaboration, Emirates and OWWA will coordinate an expanded programme of support and repatriation assistance for OFWs this year. The three-year agreement establishes a strategic framework for the two parties to collaborate on programmes spanning welfare and social protection, corporate social responsibility, travel and tourism, reintegration and livelihood, and community engagement. This may include preferential fares for official OWWA travel and complementary travel support for individuals who have championed OFW welfare. This collaboration reflects Emirates’ longstanding recognition of the contribution Filipino migrant workers make to the aviation, tourism and economic development of Dubai and the United Arab Emirates.
Through the partnership, Emirates will support OWWA’s outreach activities in Dubai and across the Middle East, alongside humanitarian , volunteerism and recognition initiatives for OFWs and their families. Abbas commented, “Filipino communities are at the heart of the connection between the Philippines and the United Arab Emirates, and we are honoured to stand alongside OWWA in caring for the workers who give so much to both nations. This collaboration extends beyond travel to recognising the dedication of Overseas Filipino Workers and offering meaningful support to them and their families. We look forward to a successful collaboration with OWWA.” Atty. Caunan added, “This partnership with Emirates reflects our continued commitment to protect, empower, and uplift Overseas Filipino Workers and their families. Through collaborations like this, we are able to extend more meaningful support to our members, recognise their sacrifices, and ensure they are treated with the dignity and care they deserve. We welcome this partnership and look forward to the positive impact it will bring to the OFW community.”
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274 SM Scholars Bloom Into The Future Through Grit And Hardwork
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| SM Scholar-Graduates Class of 2026 with (front row, from left) SM Foundation Trustee Engr. Ramon Chito S. Macapagal, SM Prime Holdings Chairman Hans T. Sy, SM Foundation Trustee Harley T. Sy, SM Foundation Executive Director Debbie P. Sy, SM Foundation Independent Trustee Dr. Lydia Echauz, SM Foundation Trustee Arlene Keh, SM Foundation Executive Director for Education Programs Carmen Linda Atayde, SM Foundation Executive Director for Health and Medical Programs Connie Angeles, and SM Foundation Vice President for Education Programs – Scholarships Eleanor Lansang (Image Source: Manila Bulletin/SM Foundation Inc.) |
SM Foundation honored 274 SM scholar-graduates during the 2026 Presentation of the SM College Scholar Graduates, celebrating their achievements and the determination that carried them through their college journey. Of this year’s graduating class, 119 are honor graduates, including 15 summa cum laude, 42 magna cum laude, 46 cum laude, and 16 graduates with Academic Distinction. Their academic achievements reflect years of dedication, perseverance, and hard work, often alongside financial and personal challenges that they had to overcome on their way to graduation.
“Beyond these numbers are 274 individual stories, each shaped by different circumstances, challenges, dreams, and opportunities. This is at the heart of the Foundation’s scholarship program. We believe that when we open doors to education, we help create possibilities that can reach far beyond one individual,” said SM Foundation Executive Director for Education Programs Carmen Linda Atayde in her welcome remarks. The graduates also heard from someone who knows firsthand how an opportunity for education can shape a life. Roan B. Torregoza, an SM scholar alumna and now Chief Financial Officer of 8990 Holdings Inc., returned to the Foundation to address the Class of 2026 as its keynote speaker. In her remarks, Atayde described Torregoza’s journey as an example of how “an opportunity received can become a life transformed, and that a life transformed can, in turn, become a source of opportunity for others”. The presentation brought together members of the Sy family, SM Foundation’s Board of Trustees and executives, partners from the SM Group and other social good partners, as well as the families of the graduating scholars. In her closing remarks, SM Foundation Vice President for Education Programs – Scholarships Eleanor Lansang recognized the graduates for turning the opportunity of a scholarship into an achievement earned through their own determination, stating, “Your SM Foundation scholarship was an opportunity, but you turned that opportunity into an achievement through your own hard work,” encouraging the graduates to carry that same determination forward and help create opportunities for others. She closed the program with a challenge to the Class of 2026: “Bloom boldly, persevere always, and keep spreading social good.”
The SM Scholarship Program was launched in 1993 under the vision of SM Founder Henry “Tatang” Sy Sr. who believed that education is the ultimate social equalizer. The program provides SM Scholars with full financial support throughout their college journey, complemented by workplace integration and professional enrichment opportunities designed to help prepare them for careers as changemakers and future industry leaders. With the addition of this year’s graduates, the SM Scholarship Program now has a growing community of 4,640 SM Foundation scholar alumni who carry forward the opportunities they received and the values they developed through their scholarship journey.
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EastWest Wraps Up Successful Philippine Travel Mart 2026
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| EastWest representatives with (third from left) Tourism Promotions Board COO Maria Margarita Nograles, Philippine Tour Operators Association President Maria Lourdes Japson, Department of Tourism Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay, EastWest CEO Jerry Ngo (Image Source: Baguio Herald Express/EastWest Banking Corporation) |
EastWest capped off a successful Philippine Travel Mart (PTM) 2026 as the event’s official credit card partner, helping travelers enjoy exclusive deals, flexible payment options, and special travel offers throughout the three-day expo. Held last September 4-6, 2026 at the SMX Convention Center Manila, the country’s longest-running travel trade exhibition welcomed more than 20,000 attendees and featured nearly 300 exhibitors showcasing destinations, accommodations, tours, and travel experiences from across the Philippines.
During the event, EastWest Credit Card holders enjoyed exclusive privileges>including 0% and other installment deals on qualified purchases from participating exhibitors, a Buy 1 Take 1 admission ticket offer, and special staycation and resort packages from Filinvest Hospitality Group properties. To make these benefits more accessible, EastWest also offered on-site credit card application and same-day card release for qualified applicants, enabling more travelers to enjoy event-exclusive deals and flexible payment options. “Tourism is one of the few industries where the value of every trip is shared across an entire community. Every booking, every meal, and every destination visited creates opportunities for businesses and livelihoods. By making the financial side of travel easier, we hope to help more Filipinos explore the country while supporting the continued growth of local tourism,” said EastWest CEO Jerry G. Ngo.
EastWest’s participation forms part of its renewed partnership with the Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA) under which the Bank will continue serving as the official credit card partner of Philippine Travel Mart 2027, reinforcing its commitment to supporting Filipino travelers and domestic tourism.
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SportsPlus Gives MPBL All-Star Royal Treatment
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| Clockwise from top left: Three-point shootout winner Jeff Manday of Caloocan raises his 2026 MPBL All-Star 3-Point Shootout trophy; impersonators Lebwrong James and Stepping Curry at MPBL All-Star 2026; SportsPlus mascot Kalaw D’Kalbaw at MPBL All-Star 2026; Ranidel de Ocampo and stand-up comedian GB Labrador at MPBL All-Star 2026 (Image Source: PhilStar.com/SportsPlus.PH/Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) |
Expect sports to be elevated when SportsPlus gets involved. That was evident at the 2026 SportsPlus MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) All-Star Festivities held last September 19, 2026 at the Ynares Center Montalban in Rizal Province. As the official title partner of the country’s biggest regional basketball league, SportsPlus went all-out to deliver an All-Star experience worthy of the occasion with the deployment of a a full production team documenting, organizing, and overall supporting the annual extravaganza which featured an afternoon exhibition game between the North and South Division Executives with the North and South All-Stars battling to an 89-89 draw.
Hours before the festivities began, SportsPlus personnel were already at the venue, setting up activation booths, checking broadcast equipment, and rehearsing their various roles including the energetic SportsPlus dancers who kept fans entertained throughout the event. By 1:00 pm, the registration booth and fan zone were open, giving supporters the chance to mingle, take photos, and get up close with their favorite MPBL stars. The SP dancers added energy to the festivities during the intermissions, becoming part of the action in several events. Gilas Pilipinas legend Ranidel de Ocampo and stand-up comedian GB Labrador, both SportsPlus Balyahan hosts, scored and witnessed Joe Gomez de Liano’s highlight reel during the Slam Dunk Competition. Halftime brought even more excitement as fans had the chance to win SportsPlus T-shirts through Pop Up Shot/Bazooka and Molten basketballs tossed into the crowd by MPBL Commissioner Emmer Oreta with help from Stepping Curry and Lebwrong James, the NBA impersonators portraying Stephen Curry and LeBron James, as well as SportsPlus mascot Kalaw D’Kalbaw. But among the biggest attractions was the SportsPlus Clutch Time Challenge which gave two contestants a chance to win Php50,000 by completing four shots: a layup, free throw, 3-pointer, and half-court shot, in 45 seconds. Neither contestant made it past the 3-pointer, settling for consolation prizes instead. Still, the Clutch Time Challenge has already handed out significant cash prizes in the past with more up for grabs as the 2026 SportsPlus MPBL season continues.
“SportsPlus is proud to be part of this year’s MPBL All-Star festivities. As the Official Title Partner of the MPBL, we are committed to creating a more engaging and memorable experience for fans through our activations, interactive games, and giveaways,” said SportsPlus Head of Brand Marketing Paul Macalindong. And SportsPlus is only getting started as the sportsbook is already preparing to bring the same level of energy and execution to the MPBL play-in tournament, playoffs, division finals, and National Finals. From the biggest moments on the court to the experiences surrounding them, SportsPlus continues to push for excellence, raising the bar every time it gets involved in Philippine sports.
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Gabe Tardio’s Limited-Edition Facolos Pickleball Kit Sells Out At 2XU Opus
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| (Image Source: Manila Standard/Facolos Philippines) |
Pickleball star Gabe Tardio received a warm welcome from the Philippine pickleball community as the opening stop of his local tour drew a strong turnout at the 2XU Opus store. Highlighting the event was the launch of the limited-edition Performance VVIP Kit which quickly sold out as players and enthusiasts grabbed the opportunity to secure exclusive gear connected to one of the sport’s rising international stars. The special package featured a Facolos Elite X paddle, a 2XU Compression Arm Sleeve and a 2XU cap. Buyers were also allowed to have their paddles personally signed by Tardio, making each kit a prized collectible for local fans.
The brisk sellout underscored pickleball’s continued growth in the Philippines where an increasing number of recreational and competitive players have embraced the fast-paced racket sport. Tardio’s appearance also allowed members of the local community to meet the elite player, learn more about high-performance equipment and share their passion for a sport that continues to attract new participants worldwide. While the exclusive kits were snapped up during the first stop, the Gabe Tardio experience is far from over. The collaboration between Tardio, Facolos Philippines, and 2XU Philippines brings together elite competition, technical equipment and performance apparel in a single campaign aimed at inspiring the country’s growing pickleball community.
Carrying the theme “Global performance. Philippine pickleball.”, the limited drop celebrates Tardio’s connection with Filipino fans while providing enthusiasts with rare memorabilia from an international pickleball standout. The successful first stop at 2XU Opus sets the stage for the remainder of Tardio’s Philippine engagements with excitement expected to build as fans await another chance to see him in action.
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Creator-Educator Bea Chu Brings Hands-On Content Creation Workshop To BGC
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| (Image Source: Azrael's Merryland Blog/YSpaces) |
For aspiring creators, entrepreneurs, and professionals, creating quality content can often feel like it requires expensive equipment, technical expertise, or a complicated production setup. Creator-educator Bea Chu aims to make the process more accessible with Content Creation Essentials, a hands-on workshop that teaches participants how to plan, shoot, and edit better content using the phone they already own.
The event is slated to take place on October 10, 2026 (Saturday), 1:00–5:00 pm, at YSpaces, Park Triangle Corporate Plaza, North Tower, 32nd Street cor. 11th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City. Interested participants may register at tinyurl.com/ContentCreationEssentials with a workshop fee of ₱2,500 per person. The four-hour workshop takes participants through the content creation process with practical lessons on lighting, audio, filming techniques, editing workflows, and building a repeatable content system. Rather than simply introducing concepts, the session emphasizes guided, hands-on learning, giving participants the opportunity to apply what they learn throughout the workshop. Drawing from her background in audio engineering, video production, and theatre sound design, Bea will share practical techniques for improving video quality using everyday tools, covering topics such as lighting, audio, filming fundamentals, editing workflows, and sustainable content systems that creators can continue using long after the workshop.
Bea has built her work around making complex creative concepts simple, engaging, and memorable. A regular collaborator with Facebook for Creators, she has also shared her expertise internationally at B&H’s BILD Expo in New York and is regularly invited to speak at schools, brand events, conferences, and creator communities across the Philippines. She was also an educator and curriculum contributor at Nas Academy where she has taught creator-focused courses across multiple cohorts. Content Creation Essentials is ideal for aspiring creators, small business owners, professionals building a personal brand, and anyone looking to gain practical, real-world content creation skills without investing in expensive equipment.
