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| L-R: BatStateU Center for Innovation in Engineering Education Director Prof. Divina Gracia D. Ronquillo, BatStateU Vice President for Development and External Affairs Dr. Vaberlie P. Mandane-Garcia, BatStateU President Dr. Tirso A. Ronquillo, UTM Deputy Vice-Chancellor Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. Zaini bin Ahmad, UTM representatives Dr. Nurzal Effiyana binti Ghazali and Prof. Dr. Abdul Rashid bin Husain (Image Source: Batangas State University, The National Engineering University) |
Building on years of collaboration in engineering education and institutional capacity-building, Batangas State University, The National Engineering University (BatStateU The NEU), and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) last October 12, 2026 to expand cooperation on research and innovation projects, academic exchanges, capacity-building programs, and knowledge exchange activities.
The agreement was signed by BatStateU President Dr. Tirso A. Ronquillo, ASEAN Eng., and UTM Deputy Vice-Chancellor Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. Zaini bin Ahmad. Witnessing the ceremonial signing were BatStateU Vice President for Development and External Affairs Dr. Vaberlie P. Mandane-Garcia, BatStateU Center for Innovation in Engineering Education Director Prof. Divina Gracia D. Ronquillo, and UTM representatives Dr. Nurzal Effiyana binti Ghazali and Prof. Dr. Abdul Rashid bin Husain. The MOU provides for joint research and innovation projects; postgraduate and research study programs; exchanges involving professors, researchers, students, and administrative staff; joint academic activities; exchange of scholarly resources; capacity-building programs; and joint training, consultancy, advisory, and knowledge exchange activities. The new agreement builds on concrete outcomes from the universities’ previous engagements. In 2024-2025, the NEED Program’s OBEE National Training Series reached 95 engineering higher education institutions and capacitated 206 engineering academic and quality assurance leaders across all 18 regions of the Philippines in collaboration with the Philippine Technological Council and UTM CEE. In his message of commitment, Dr. Ronquillo said, “The significance of today’s signing lies in the work our two universities have already undertaken together, and in what we now commit to pursue in the years ahead.” Dr. Ahmad, in turn, said the MOU opens opportunities for collaboration beyond the universities’ current initiatives, citing joint research, joint publication, and joint supervision among the areas that could benefit both institutions and the communities they serve.
BatStateU and UTM’s earliest documented institutional engagement dates to 2017 when the two universities explored cooperation in disaster risk management, research, professional training, and academic exchange. The partnership continues through the ongoing OBEExCDIO National Train-the-Trainers Workshop where UTM CEE representatives Dr. Nurzal Effiyana binti Ghazali and Prof. Dr. Shahrin Mohammad serve as resource persons together with BatStateU CIEE facilitators. Beyond engineering education, their inter-institutional engagements have included student mobility and research-oriented academic activities. UTM served as an international co-host of the 7th International Research Conference on Innovations in Engineering, Science and Technology (IRCIEST) in October 2025. The agreement strengthens BatStateU’s internationalization initiatives by deepening its links with ASEAN academic networks and opening more avenues for cross-border research, academic mobility, and engineering education cooperation; thus, supporting the University’s mandate to pursue international academic and scientific cooperation as the Philippines’ National Engineering University.
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PUMA Takes Philippine Ambassadors Behind The Scenes For An Exclusive Meet And Greet With F1 Drivers Charles Leclerc And Lando Norris
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| L-R: Andie Syyap, Chenee Jimenez, Derick Lauchengco, Dominique Roque, Daniel Miranda, Miccolo Solis, Macoy Averilla, Ruth Jimenez (Image Source: Starmometer/PUMA Philippines) |
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| Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris (Image Source: MNLToday.ph/PUMA Philippines) |
PUMA continues to strengthen its presence in global motorsport by bridging high-speed racing with everyday street culture. To bring this dynamic energy closer to the local audience, PUMA hosted a delegation of Filipino celebrities and influencers in Singapore last October 7, 2026 for an exclusive meet-and-greet session with Formula 1 (F1) stars Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris.
The group representing the Philippines included Julia Barretto, Dominic Roque, Macoy Averilla, Daniel Miranda, Sofia Andres, Chenee Jimenez, Derick Lauchengco, Andie Syyap, Miccolo Solis, and Ruth Jimenez. During the exclusive session, the personalities experienced firsthand the high-energy atmosphere that defines PUMA’s F1 partnerships. Unlike a traditional viewing experience, the event’s highlight was the exclusive interactive games. Dominic Roque engaged in a game of Feather Chapteh, reminiscent of the traditional Filipino street game “sipa” with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. Meanwhile, professional racer Daniel Miranda and content creator Miccolo Solis teamed up for a “Guess The Time” challenge with McLaren’s Lando Norris, testing their split-second racing instincts to accurately guess when the timer stopped. This gathering created a seamless cultural crossover, showcasing how the fast-paced world of F1 connects with the Philippine lifestyle and fashion communities. During the official livestream event, Julia Barretto brought the brand’s racing collections to life by showcasing her Ferrari fit while Sofia Andres presented an exclusive McLaren fit check. These behind-the-scenes moments and driver interactions highlight how PUMA connects the local community with global sporting icons.
The Singapore trip served as a natural, live showcase of the PUMA x F1 aesthetic. Throughout the event, the Filipino personalities blended motorsport-inspired apparel with their own distinct streetwear styles, demonstrating the everyday versatility of PUMA’s racing collections off the track. As F1 continues to grow in popularity across the Philippines, PUMA ensures that fans and fashion enthusiasts alike can express their passion for the sport through authentic, stylish apparel.
Experience the intersection of speed and style. Follow PUMA Philippines on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for exclusive behind-the-scenes highlights and updates from the Singapore meet-and-greet.
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Filipino Chef Behind Dubai Chocolate Phenomenon Teams Up With Jollibee For Christmas
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| (Image Source: Jollibee) |
Jollibee is partnering with Filipino pastry chef and culinary innovator Nouel Catis, whose work is associated with the global Dubai chocolate phenomenon, to introduce the Pistachio Choco Sundae, a limited-edition Christmas dessert that brings a globally popular flavor combination to a familiar Filipino favorite.
“Christmas is a time when people look forward to experiences that make the season more special. At Jollibee, we want to bring that joy through both the food our customers love and new flavors that surprise and delight them. Partnering with Chef Nouel gives us a chance to offer something new this Christmas while celebrating Filipino culinary talent on the global stage,” said Jollibee Philippines Vice President for Marketing Dorothy Ching. Based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Catis is recognized for his work in the chocolate confectionery space, particularly the Dubai chocolate phenomenon that helped popularize the combination of chocolate and pistachio flavors among consumers worldwide. His work has also received recognition including being named an Emerging Global Filipino Icon by The Global Filipino Magazine and receiving a Service Excellence Award in Culinary Innovation in Dubai. Ching added, “We see Chef Nouel as a partner in our mission to bring joy to Filipinos and people around the world through food. By bringing his culinary expertise together with a Jollibee favorite, we hope to give our customers a new way to enjoy flavors they love and discover something different this Christmas.” For Catis, the collaboration is also a personal milestone, bringing him together with a brand he has loved since childhood. “I was so happy when Jollibee reached out to me. I grew up loving Jollibee, so I never imagined that one day, I’d get to work with a brand that’s been part of my childhood. After the Dubai chocolate experience, it’s exciting to be doing something like this with Jollibee, especially for Christmas. As a Filipino, it makes me proud to be part of something that can bring joy to people here at home and hopefully introduce more people around the world to the creativity and talent of Filipinos.”
The collaboration brings Catis’s culinary expertise to Jollibee’s annual Christmas sundae offering. The Pistachio Choco Sundae features creamy vanilla soft serve coated in a pistachio shell, topped with chocolate syrup and diced pistachios. Priced at ₱79, the dessert is now available nationwide until December 31, 2026 through Jollibee dine-in, takeout, drive-thru, and delivery via GrabFood and foodpanda. The partnership reflects Jollibee’s continuing effort to create new food experiences for customers during the holiday season, combining familiar favorites with fresh flavors while celebrating Filipino talent whose work has reached international audiences.
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OriginOS 7 Rollout For vivo Phones Set To Begin In October
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| (Image Source: vivo Philippines) |
vivo is preparing to roll out OriginOS 7 to 19 smartphone models in the Philippines with the first batch scheduled for October 2026 and succeeding batches planned through February 2027. The phased rollout will cover selected X and V Series devices, bringing the operating system’s updated interface, performance optimizations, productivity tools, and connectivity features to eligible users.
The rollout is organized into six batches, with the schedule varying by model. The first batch includes the vivo X300 Pro, X300, X300 FE, X300 Ultra, and X Fold5. The X200 Series follows in November while selected V Series models are scheduled for subsequent months. OriginOS 7 introduces changes designed to address everyday smartphone use, including smoother system interactions, improved resource management, AI-assisted work tools and expanded connections with compatible devices. Features such as AI-assisted audio transcription, multitasking tools, and cross-device file sharing are intended to help users move between work, communication, and entertainment with fewer interruptions. “An operating system update matters most when users can feel the difference in their everyday routines, whether they are switching between apps, organizing information from a meeting or moving files between devices. With OriginOS 7, we want to make these common tasks more intuitive while giving eligible users a clearer view of what to expect from the rollout,” said vivo Philippines Brand Marketing Director Liu Lu. Here is the list of the scheduled release months for the 19 models.
| Batch | vivo Model | Scheduled Release |
| 1 | X300 Pro, X300, X300 FE, and X Fold5 | End of October 2026 |
| 2 | X200 Pro, X200, and X200 FE | Mid-November 2026 |
| 3 | V70, V70 FE, and V60 | Mid-December 2026 |
| 4 | V50 | End of December 2026 |
| 5 | V80 Lite, V60 Lite, V50 Lite, and V40 | End of January 2027 |
| 6 | V30 Pro, V30, and V30e | End of February 2027 |
Availability and timing may vary by device and users should check official vivo Philippines announcements for confirmation of the update on their specific model. The rollout schedule is planned and subject to confirmation. A model’s inclusion does not guarantee that the update will be available on the first day of its scheduled month. Users should follow vivo Philippines on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X, or visit the vivo website for final availability announcements and device-specific instructions.
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European Chamber Of Commerce In PH To Stage 24th European Golf Tournament On November 13th
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| (Image Source: Manila Standard/European Chamber Of Commerce Of The Philippines) |
The European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) is inviting golfers and corporate partners to take part in the 24th European Golf Tournament on November 13, 2026 at The Orchard Golf & Country Club in Dasmariñas City, Cavite. The annual event, which the ECCP describes as the largest and most attended golf tournament organized by a foreign chamber in the country, is accepting player registrations and partnerships across several sponsorship categories.
Leading the partnership packages is the title sponsorship at Php300,000, followed by the Fun Hole package at Php200,000. Classic Hole partnerships are available at Php100,000 while the Trophy Partner package is priced at Php75,000. Companies may also support the tournament through prizes, golf apparel and giveaway items. The Hole-In-One partnership calls for a cash prize or item worth Php300,000. According to the organizers, the prize will be raffled off if no player scores an ace. The Major Prize partnership requires gift certificates or items worth Php150,000 while the Prize Partner category accepts contributions valued at Php75,000. For golf apparel and tournament merchandise, the ECCP is seeking partners to provide 200 shirts and bags under its Golf Wear and Swag Bag package. A separate Swag Bag partnership offers companies the opportunity to contribute 200 giveaway items such as caps, umbrellas and other golf-related merchandise.
The range of packages allows prospective partners to support the annual tournament through cash sponsorships or products for prizes and participant giveaways. Interested golfers may register through https://bit.ly/24thEGT-Registration while prospective sponsors may view the partnership details at https://bit.ly/24thEGT-PartnershipDeck.
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Mas Ligtas, Mas Protektado: How To Enable In-App OTPs On Your GCash App For Upgraded Security And Protection
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| (Image Source: Manila Standard/GCash) |
To keep accounts protected and digital transactions safer, GCash is reminding users to switch to in-app One-Time Pins (OTPs) for seamless, direct verification within the app. In-app OTPs help protect users from SMS-based scams. By sending OTPs directly to the registered app, only the account owner can receive and approve requests. It also quickens transactions by removing the need to switch apps, type codes, or wait for SMS messages to arrive.
This shift is part of the broader strategy of GCash to enhance security through Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), a widely used industry standard that adds more layers of protection when accessing an account. MFA helps lower the risk of account takeovers, even if passwords or MPINs are compromised. GCash has consistently invested in stronger protection systems including Know-Your-Customer (KYC) verification and Facial Recognition verification (Double Safe). In-app OTPs add to these safeguards and improve security without creating extra steps for users. As digital scams continue to evolve and become more sophisticated, GCash remains committed to strengthening platform security and setting a higher standard for safe and secure digital finance in the Philippines. Here’s a quick guide how to enable push notifications for the GCash app.
Step 1: Go To Settings
Open the Settings app on your mobile phone. This is where you can manage how each app on your device sends you alerts and notifications.
Step 2: Select “Notifications”
Inside Settings, go to “Notifications”, then look for GCash on the list of apps. Tap on it to open the notification settings for the GCash app.
Step 3: Activate “Allow Notifications”
Turn on the toggle for “Allow Notifications”. Once enabled, your phone will start receiving in-app OTPs from GCash through secure push notifications, keeping you a step ahead of scams that exploit SMS OTPs.
