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| (Image Source: Manila Standard/Globe Telecom) |
As scams reach Filipinos through calls, messages, links, websites, and other online channels, Globe Telecom is giving customers another way to identify potential threats through Globe Scam Protect. The new benefit provides access to Whoscall Premium Basic to eligible customers, helping them screen suspicious calls and messages, verify links, monitor possible data leaks, and get timely scam alerts before threats turn into losses.
Powered by Whoscall, Globe Scam Protect draws on the platform’s scam intelligence database to give customers additional information that can help them make safer decisions online. Since its launch in 2023, Whoscall has already recorded more than 2.2 million installs, underscoring growing demand for simple, practical tools that help users stay ahead of evolving digital threats. “Digital safety has become part of everyday life, and our customers deserve protection that is simple, practical, and always on. With Globe Scam Protect, we are making real-time scam defense more accessible so customers can stay a step ahead of threats and focus on what matters most, staying connected with confidence,” said Globe Consumer Mobile Business Unit Head Eric Tanbauco. Through Globe Rewards, eligible customers can redeem the following Whoscall Premium Basic Individual offers:
• Globe Platinum: 12-months Free for 2 devices
• Globe Postpaid: 12-months Free for 1 device
• Globe Prepaid and TM: 1-month Free for 1 device in exchange for 2 Globe Rewards points
New and renewing Globe Postpaid and Platinum customers can claim the offer through the GlobeOne app’s voucher pocket and redeem their Whoscall voucher. Once activated, customers gain access to easy-to-use protections, along with scam education tools that help build better habits for safer online behavior.
Globe Scam Protect complements Globe’s continuing efforts to help protect customers from scams and other online threats. By making digital safety tools available as a customer benefit, Globe aims to give subscribers more ways to protect themselves as they navigate an increasingly complex digital environment. To learn more about Globe Scam Protect, go to www.globe.com.ph/globe-scam-protect.
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PLDT, Smart Partner With Capillary To Transform And Unify Loyalty Programs
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| L-R: Smart Communications Inc. OIC Lloyd P. Manaloto, PLDT Home Head John Y. Palanca, PLDT Chief Operating Officer Menardo “Butch” G. Jimenez Jr., Capillary Technologies APAC President Santosh Reddy, Capillary Technologies Chief Technology Officer Piyush Kumar, Capillary Technologies Vice President for Customer Success Shubhkant Kalsi (Image Source: Mindanao Times/Smart Communications Inc.) |
PLDT Inc. (PLDT) and its wireless subsidiary Smart Communications Inc. (Smart) have partnered with Capillary Technologies to transform and unify their loyalty ecosystem across mobile, broadband, and partner engagement platforms. Through the partnership, Capillary will power a next-generation loyalty platform, bringing together PLDT Home, Smart, and Ka-Partner programs into a single ecosystem designed to deliver more personalized and rewarding experiences across millions of customers.
The initiative marks a significant step in PLDT and Smart’s customer engagement strategy as the group consolidates multiple loyalty environments into a more intelligent and scalable platform powered by artificial intelligence (AI), advanced personalization, and real-time engagement capabilities. PLDT and Smart selected Capillary for its deep loyalty expertise, scalable enterprise architecture, and proven track record across high-growth markets. “Customer loyalty is key to the PLDT Group’s long-term growth. As PLDT and Smart customer expectations evolve, we must strengthen our relationship with them, deepen engagement through our products and services, and deliver greater value throughout the customer journey. By investing in customer loyalty through our collaboration with Capillary, we are investing in stronger customer retention, sustainable growth, and the PLDT Group’s continued industry leadership,” said PLDT Chief Operating Officer Menardo G. Jimenez Jr. “Our customers are at the heart of everything we do, and their loyalty deserves to be rewarded in ways that are meaningful and relevant. With Capillary’s platform, we can offer a more personalized rewards experience that gives our subscribers and partners access to exclusive perks, curated offers, exciting partner benefits, and rewarding experiences tailored to their preferences. It’s our way of saying thank you while making every interaction with PLDT Home more valuable, more engaging, and more rewarding,” said PLDT Head of PLDT Home John Y. Palanca. “This new loyalty platform allows us to recognize not only our subscribers, but also the Smart retailers and e-load partners who help us serve millions of Filipinos every day. By bringing Smart and PLDT onto one loyalty ecosystem, we are also creating the foundation for more seamless, converged rewards and experiences in the future,” said Smart Officer-In-Charge (OIC) Lloyd R. Manaloto.
Capillary Technologies APAC President Santosh Reddy said, “PLDT and Smart have consistently led the way in redefining digital experiences at scale, backed by a strong understanding of evolving customer expectations. As enterprises across global markets increasingly invest in loyalty as a strategic growth lever, Capillary is proud to bring its experience working with leading brands across APAC and beyond to support this transformation. Together, we look forward to building a more intelligent, engaging, and connected loyalty experience for millions of subscribers.” The rollout will follow a phased implementation approach over the next year.
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Gateway Art Fair Marked 5th Year With Record Number Of Exhibitors, First-Ever Awards
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| (Image Source: Philippines Graphic/Araneta City) |
Gateway Art Fair, Quezon City’s highly anticipated celebration of visual arts, successfully staged its fifth edition, and biggest yet, last October 1-4, 2026 at Araneta City. The event showcased artworks from 250 local participants – the highest number since the fair began – across Gateway Malls 1 and 2, making this year’s edition the biggest yet. The main exhibit unfolded at the Quantum Skyview of Gateway Mall 2 where 36 booths featuring artists and art groups from different parts of the country showcased their works. Among the participants were Yaru Nu Artes Ivatan, Voyage: Mindo Artist Group, UST College of Fine Arts, Artistica PH, Pugad in Art Studio, Female Art Addicts, and more.
Aside from enjoying the exhibit, the public were able to engage with art directly through hands-on workshops in mandala-making, collaborative drawing, soft sculpture, rubber and relief cutting, and other free activities throughout the art fair. Visitors also further immersed themselves in art through installations designed by local artists on Levels 3 and 4 if Gateway Mall 2 including works by Chris Luca exploring the struggles of commuting, Elias Pernecita Jr. highlighting art and sustainability, and Nina Chanco Libatique presenting an interactive and playful artwork for pets. Presented by the J. Amado Araneta Foundation (JAAF), Gateway Gallery, and Araneta City; co-presented by Metrobank; and held in partnership with Megaworld, the Gateway Art Fair reinforces JAAF’s core mission of opening gateways to creative and economic opportunities. It has been held annually at Araneta City since 2022.
The fair’s opening ceremony last October 1 was marked by the inauguration of the 1st Gateway Art Fair Awards. Winners were chosen among this year’s participants, and were recognized under three categories: the Gateway Art Fair Masterpiece Award for an outstanding artwork in the exhibit, the Breakthrough Artist Award for a piece that presents a unique perspective, and the Exhibit of the Year Award for the best-designed booth. The winners were Quarto Arts for the Gateway Art Fair Masterpiece Award, Vice Versa Artists Group for the Breakthrough Artist Award, and the artist duo of Marj Sula-Aquino and Mathilda Sula-Sun for the Exhibit of the Year Award who received a trophy sculpted by Jenny Cortes, Php10,000 in cash from JAAF (Jorge A. Araneta Foundation), Php10,000 worth of gift certificates from National Book Store, and Php10,000 worth of Boysen paint products. Since its launch, the Gateway Art Fair has provided a platform for artists and art groups from across the country to showcase their creativity through the annual fair and year-round developmental and support initiatives.
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SM Prime Live Venues Posts Over 1 Million Visitors On Strong Event Demand
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| (Image Source: Philippine Concerts/SM Prime Holdings Inc.) |
SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SM Prime) continued to see strong demand across its major live entertainment venues, driven by a steady pipeline of concerts, sporting events and family shows as well as the opening of the SM Seaside Cebu Arena. As of August 2026, the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena, SM Seaside Cebu Arena and SMDC Festival Grounds welcomed over 1 million visitors, a 52 percent increase from approximately 710,000 visitors in the same period last year.
The double-digit growth reflects the continued strong demand for live entertainment in the Philippines, further supported by the addition of SM Seaside Cebu Arena to SM Prime’s growing venue portfolio. “Our venues provide Filipino audiences with a complete experience before, during and after a live event. With dining, retail, entertainment and other amenities within easy reach, we are able to extend the experience beyond the event itself while creating more value across our properties,” said SM Prime President Jeffrey C. Lim. More than 110 shows were staged at the SM MOA Arena from January to August, showing up to 20% increase during the same period in 2025. SM Seaside Cebu Arena has also made a strong start since its official opening in July with sold-out opening concerts by BINI and IV of Spades. The momentum is expected to continue through the final months of the year. At the SM MOA Arena, upcoming sold-out shows include performances by Regine Velasquez, Silent Sanctuary, and 5 Seconds Of Summer. Tickets are also on sale for Jason Mraz, Wave To Earth, and LE SSERAFIM along with 34 performances of Disney On Ice Presents Let’s Dance! In the SM Cebu Arena, the upcoming lineup includes Bida Sa Arena, Premier Volleyball League (PVL) and Spikers’ Turf, East Asia Super League, and LANY as well as 14 performances of Disney On Ice Presents Let’s Dance!
SM Prime-managed venues are also building their 2027 calendar. Major events already announced include Westlife’s anniversary tour, The Script’s sold-out three-show run, Maroon 5’s Asia 2027 tour, and BIGBANG at the SMDC Festival Grounds in Manila, as well as the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup in Cebu.
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Crossing Borders In Partnership: De La Salle Lipa Signs MOA With UNITEN Malaysia
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| (Image Source: De La Salle Lipa) |
De La Salle Lipa (DLSL) expanded its network of international partnerships on August 8, 2026 through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN) at the latter’s campus in Malaysia. The agreement establishes a framework for collaboration in academic exchange, research, and other shared initiatives between the two institutions.
The formal signing ceremony was held in the presence of UNITEN’s Vice Chancellor and members of its higher management. Representing De La Salle Lipa were Br. Cyrill Escolano FSC, Vice President for Administration; Ms. Grace “Dannah” Sanchez, Director for External Linkages and Internationalization Office (ELIRO); Dr. Jasmin De Silva, Dean of the College of Business, Economics, Accountancy, and Management (CBEAM); and Engr. Cherrie Villafuerte, Dean of the College of Information Technology and Engineering (CITE). The MOA provides a foundation for the two institutions to pursue areas of mutual interest and develop initiatives that connect their academic communities. With both institutions bringing expertise from different disciplines, the partnership creates opportunities to translate the agreement into exchanges, collaborative projects, and other forms of academic engagement. Following the signing, the DLSL delegation participated in a series of meetings with UNITEN’s academic units to discuss potential areas of collaboration. The delegation met with the UNITEN Business School (UBS) and the College of Graduate Studies (COGS). Discussions continued after lunch with the College of Engineering (REC) and the College of Computing and Informatics (CCI). The meetings allowed academic leaders from both institutions to identify shared interests and explore possible initiatives including student and faculty exchange and research collaboration. The visit concluded with a campus tour, providing the DLSL delegation with an opportunity to learn more about UNITEN’s academic environment and facilities.
The partnership with UNITEN adds another link to De La Salle Lipa’s growing network of international academic partners. More than expanding the institution’s connections abroad, such agreements create avenues through which the Lasallian community can engage with peers, educators, and academic communities beyond the Philippines. For current students, the partnership can open opportunities for international exposure through academic exchanges, collaborative projects, research activities, and cross-cultural engagement as these initiatives are developed. For prospective students, it signals an educational environment where learning can extend beyond the campus and connect them with institutions and perspectives across the region. Through partnerships such as this, De La Salle Lipa continues to build pathways that can help students develop not only disciplinary knowledge, but also the intercultural awareness and collaborative skills needed to participate in the global academic and professional landscape.
(With words by Cristina Alfarita Larombi, De La Salle Lipa)
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Red Bull Wings Cup Calling Filipino EA Sports FC™ 27 Players
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| (Image Source: Philippines Graphic/Red Bull Philippines) |
Filipino EA SPORTS FC™ players have a chance to compete on the international stage as Red Bull Wings Cup opens in the Philippines. A new EA SPORTS FC™ 27 competition giving everyday players the chance to compete for the opportunity to represent their country on a global stage like never before.
Taking place across almost 80 countries and in partnership with EA SPORTS and PlayStation Tournaments, Red Bull Wings Cup welcomes players of all skill levels to compete, whether from home or on campus. Only those who rise to the top will earn a place at their National Finals for the chance to represent the Philippines at the Red Bull Wings Cup World Finals at Inter Miami’s Nu Stadium in Miami, Florida, U.S.A. in early 2027. The once-in-a-lifetime World Finals will combine competitive gameplay with real-life football moments as finalists compete to become the inaugural Red Bull Wings Cup champion. The journey begins when players register for one of two leagues.
• The University League (now running until October 16, 2026) – where currently enrolled university students compete on PlayStation® 5 consoles in on-campus qualifiers against other students from across Metro Manila and Cebu, playing EA SPORTS FC™ 27 Rush.
• The Open League (October 17–18, 2026) – where players can log into PlayStation Tournaments on their PlayStation® 5 consoles to compete online using their own squad, playing EA SPORTS FC™ 27 Ultimate Team.
Red Bull Wings Cup is open to everyone of all skill levels, aged 18 and over who is a current resident of the Philippines. Local Terms and Conditions may apply. The top players from both the Open and University Leagues will progress to the National Finals on November 7, 2026 at Matchpoint Sportsbar with eligible National Champions earning the right to represent their country at the World Finals in Miami against competitors from around the globe. For more information, visit www.redbullwingscup.com.
