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How to get console gaming experience on your smartphone

For most Filipino gamers, the barrier to console gaming was accessibility. A PlayStation 5 still costs upward of ?30,000 while a mid-range gaming PC costs more. The thing is, the Philippines is one of the SEA capitals for gaming – but on mobile. And that is because of accessibility of midrange Android devices built for gaming and the proliferation of freemium games like Mobile Legends.

To get a console-like experience on mobile, it would take a streaming service to cast from your console to a handheld device. Cloud gaming has been trying to solve that equation for years, with mixed results. The promise was always compelling – powerful servers do the heavy lifting, you just stream the game like a YouTube video. The reality was lag, limited libraries, and services that never quite reached the people who needed them most.

Smart’s new partnership with Blacknut is a different kind of attempt. Not because the technology is radically new, but because of where it lands: directly on the prepaid SIMs of millions of Filipinos who already have a smartphone and a load balance.

Through Blacknut’s cloud gaming platform, Smart and TNT subscribers can access over 1,000 titles – NBA 2K, For Honor, the Asphalt series, a wide range of LEGO games – streamed through a mobile browser, no downloads, no installs, no console required. A weekly subscription starts at ?145, billed straight to prepaid load.

In a market where a large portion of mobile users are prepaid and don’t have credit cards, removing the payment friction is half the battle. Prepaid load billing is how digital services actually reach the mass market in the Philippines – it’s how music streaming and video platforms gained ground here, and it’s how gaming could too.

What Blacknut brings to that equation is a library that skews toward the kind of titles that actually have pull. These aren’t obscure catalog fillers. NBA 2K alone carries weight in a basketball-obsessed country. Throw in family multiplayer games and indie titles and you have a service that can appeal beyond the traditional gamer demographic – which, for a telco trying to differentiate, is exactly the point.

The harder question is performance. Cloud gaming lives and dies on latency, and mobile networks – even good ones – are not fiber. Playing a turn-based strategy game or a casual racer through a browser is a very different experience from a fighting game or anything that demands precise, split-second inputs. The library Smart and Blacknut are advertising includes both kinds of games, and how well the service holds up across different network conditions will determine whether subscribers come back after the first week.

What this partnership represents, at a broader level, is a quiet rethinking of what ‘gaming access’ means in a market like the Philippines. The console isn’t the standard anymore. The smartphone already is. If the network is good enough and the library stays honest about what plays well on mobile, that’s a genuinely different conversation than the one the industry has been having.

?145 a week is cheap enough to try. Whether it’s good enough to stay is the question the service still has to answer.

Cebuana Lhuillier MoneyXChange debunks common foreign exchange myths

Getting the most value from every currency exchange starts with making informed decisions. Whether traveling overseas, paying tuition abroad, importing products for a business, or supporting loved ones in another country, Filipinos increasingly rely on foreign exchange as part of their financial journey. As global opportunities continue to grow, understanding how foreign exchange works can help maximize the value of every peso exchanged.

As the expert in foreign exchange, Cebuana Lhuillier MoneyXChange combines competitive exchange rates, a broad selection of currencies, and a nationwide network that makes foreign exchange more accessible and convenient for Filipinos wherever their financial journeys take them.

‘Many people see foreign exchange as a simple transaction, but it plays a much bigger role in achieving financial goals,’ said Jean Henri Lhuillier, President and CEO of Cebuana Lhuillier. ‘Making informed currency decisions helps customers maximize the value of their hard-earned money while giving them greater confidence in every transaction.’

Drawing from the questions and misconceptions most frequently encountered by its foreign exchange specialists, Cebuana Lhuillier MoneyXChange debunks five common foreign exchange myths every Filipino should know.

Myth #1: ‘It’s okay to exchange my money only when I arrive abroad.’

Fact: Many travelers assume they can simply exchange money at the airport or after reaching their destination. However, waiting until arrival often means having fewer choices and less control over the exchange rate. Cebuana Lhuillier MoneyXChange enables customers to exchange currency before their trip through its nationwide branch network, allowing them to compare rates in advance and secure the currency they need before flying. For added convenience, customers can also use Click and Collect to reserve their preferred foreign currency online and simply pick it up at their selected Cebuana Lhuillier branch, making it easier to travel with local cash on hand for transportation, meals, and other immediate expenses upon arrival.

Myth #2: ‘Foreign exchange is only for people going on vacation.’

Fact: Foreign exchange supports much more than leisure travel. Cebuana Lhuillier MoneyXChange serves parents paying tuition abroad, entrepreneurs purchasing goods from overseas suppliers, businesses managing cross-border transactions, overseas workers, and families receiving foreign currency. Its services are designed to support a wide range of international financial needs, not just vacations.

Myth #3: ‘Small differences in exchange rates don’t really matter.’

Fact: Even small movements in exchange rates can add up, particularly for larger transactions. Cebuana Lhuillier MoneyXChange helps customers maximize the value of every exchange by offering competitive rates that can translate into meaningful savings whether the funds are intended for travel, education, or business.

Myth #4: ‘I should wait until someone tells me the rate is at its lowest.’

Fact: Exchange rates constantly change based on global market conditions, making them difficult to predict accurately. Rather than relying on speculation or social media advice, Cebuana Lhuillier MoneyXChange encourages customers to exchange based on their actual financial needs while providing transparent, competitive rates that help them make informed decisions with confidence.

Myth #5: ‘Money changers only exchange major currencies like US dollars.’

Fact: As Filipinos travel, study, and do business across more countries, access to multiple currencies has become increasingly important. Cebuana Lhuillier MoneyXChange offers a wide selection of foreign currencies, enabling customers to conveniently obtain the currencies they need through one trusted provider without being limited to only the most common denominations.

‘Financial literacy means understanding every financial decision we make, including how we exchange currencies,’ said Philippe Andre Lhuillier, Senior Executive Vice President of Cebuana Lhuillier. ‘As more Filipinos participate in the global economy, our goal is to provide reliable foreign exchange services while helping customers make informed decisions that maximize the value of their money.’

Whether crossing borders for work, education, business, or leisure, making smarter currency decisions starts with knowing the facts. Backed by trusted expertise, competitive exchange rates, access to a wide range of currencies, and one of the country’s largest branch networks, Cebuana Lhuillier MoneyXChange continues to help Filipinos navigate foreign exchange with greater confidence, convenience, and value.

Tinubu to announce fresh pay raise for soldiers soon – Defence Minister

Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (Rtd.), has disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will soon announce another salary increase for personnel of the Armed Forces as part of the Federal Government’s efforts to improve troop welfare.

The minister made the disclosure on Monday while speaking at a one-day training and financial empowerment workshop for widows and wives of military personnel in Abuja.

According to him, the Federal Government remains committed to ensuring that members of the Armed Forces are adequately rewarded for the sacrifices they make in safeguarding the country.

‘I want to state here that a few weeks ago, I mentioned that soldiers are now receiving ?100,000, and I know that generated both positive and negative reactions.

‘When I was Chief of Defence Staff, soldiers were receiving ?49,000. About two years ago, I pushed for an increase to ?100,000, and that was achieved.

‘We are, however, making further efforts to increase it again. We know our President is a listening father who understands the sacrifices our troops are making and is committed to ensuring they are well remunerated.

‘So, I am confident that very soon Mr. President will announce another salary increase for our men,’ he said.

The workshop, themed ‘Renewed Hope for Families of the Armed Forces of Nigeria Through Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development,’ was organised by the Ministry of Defence in collaboration with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN).

The minister said the initiative reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to improving the economic well-being of military families, particularly widows and spouses of non-commissioned officers serving in various operational theatres.

He noted that while military personnel continue to confront complex security challenges and spend extended periods away from their families, the government recognises the critical role played by their spouses and dependants in sustaining their morale and effectiveness.

‘Every day, our personnel confront complex security challenges in defence of Nigeria’s sovereignty and the protection of the lives and property of our citizens.

‘Many serve in difficult operational environments, separated from their families for extended periods and exposed to considerable risks. While their courage and sacrifice are rightly celebrated, we must equally recognise the invaluable role played by the families who stand firmly behind them.

‘To the spouses gathered here today, your resilience, patience and steadfast support give your loved ones the confidence to remain focused on their responsibilities.

‘To our widows whose husbands served Nigeria with honour and distinction, your strength and perseverance in the face of loss remain an enduring source of inspiration,’ he said.

The minister stressed that the government is determined to provide military families with the knowledge, skills and support required to build sustainable livelihoods, noting that a strong military depends not only on capable personnel and modern equipment but also on stable and economically secure families.

‘When military families are economically secure, they are better positioned to withstand the unique demands of military life. This gives service personnel the confidence that their loved ones are well supported, allowing them to concentrate fully on their operational responsibilities.

‘Strengthening the economic resilience of military families is therefore an important investment in the effectiveness of our Armed Forces and the security of our nation,’ he added.

He explained that the entrepreneurship programme was designed to equip participants with practical business and enterprise management skills to establish sustainable businesses, generate income and contribute to national economic development.

The minister also commended President Tinubu for what he described as his commitment to improving the welfare of members of the Armed Forces and their families.

Speaking at the event, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of SMEDAN, Charles Odii, disclosed that the agency disbursed ?25 million to 500 widows and wives of soldiers serving on the frontlines under the empowerment programme.

According to Odii, the intervention aligns with President Tinubu’s commitment to supporting small businesses and improving livelihoods through enterprise development.

He said the President had approved a ?200 billion intervention fund for businesses across the country, comprising a ?75 billion single-digit interest loan for manufacturers, another ?75 billion single-digit interest loan for small businesses, and ?50 billion in grants for nano-businesses.

He explained that beneficiaries of the military families’ empowerment programme fall under the grant component of the intervention.

Odii added that the grant is not a one-off intervention, assuring beneficiaries that those who invest the funds productively would qualify for additional financial support.

‘If you take the seed money we are giving you, invest it in your business, and the business grows, we will come back here in another year and double the amount we have given you,’ he said.

He noted that SMEDAN would monitor beneficiaries’ businesses to ensure proper utilisation of the funds and identify entrepreneurs eligible for further support.

DA: New sugar import strategy set for next year as domestic output lags

The Philippines will import refined sugar next year under a new system to plug the shortfall in domestic output without denting millgate prices, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the government will allow the importation of refined sugar in 2027 on the back of lackluster output, particularly for bottlers’ grade, typically used by beverage makers.

This, after Tiu Laurel maintained that there would be no sugar imports until end-November 2026, unless deemed necessary.

‘For next year, let’s accept the fact that we don’t have enough bottlers’ grade sugar based on our production, so we still need to import,’ he said in a recent meeting with sugar industry stakeholders.

‘But our new strategy is that we will reduce the projected volume needed to import by 20 percent […] we will only add more if the allowed quantity is still not enough,’ he added.

Tiu Laurel, who chairs the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) Board, explained that this would deviate from previous sugar import programs where importation covered the entire estimated volume of shipments, which ‘slightly affected’ millgate prices due to an uptick in local production.

Meanwhile, the DA chief said the government would also take into account the imports of artificial sweeteners on identifying the allowable volume of sugar to import.

‘Now that the data on [artificial sweetener imports] is with us, we can see the total demand. If [imports] of artificial sweetener increases, we can adjust our imports,’ he said.

Under this new strategy, Tiu Laurel expressed confidence that the sector would have enhanced production in the next crop year: ‘I can confidently say that our next harvest will be better and our approach to importation will be more calibrated.’

The latest data from the SRA showed that as of July 5, the volume of raw sugar from mills fell by 11.11 percent to 1.847 million metric tons (MMT), from the 2.078 MMT recorded in the same period last year.

Unless the only mill that remains open for this season posts a significant increase in output, the Philippines will likely end the current crop year with 1.85 MMT of raw sugar, as projected by the SRA.

Industry sources said current lackluster demand and ample domestic stockpile does not warrant sugar imports at the moment despite the drop in output.

Dy calls for truth as House pushes anti-disinfo, social media bills

Speaker Faustino ‘Bojie’ Dy III on Monday warned of the growing risks of unregulated social media use amid the proliferation of false information online.

In his opening remarks to lawmakers, Dy called on Filipinos to push back against disinformation, saying its unchecked spread threatens to erode democracy.

‘Let us not allow the noise of social media to shape our beliefs,’ he said in Filipino. ‘Let us uphold truth over fake news, understanding over anger, and unity over division.’

Dy also said the lower chamber had passed a bill penalizing those who circulate false information online to curb disinformation.

The House is also pushing for a bill prohibiting those under 13 from accessing digital platforms to bolster such efforts, he added.

‘We are requesting that this proposal also be included in the Ledac (Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council) priority bills so it can be enacted at the soonest possible time,’ Dy said.

Five things that can’t wait two more years

Today, July 27, President Marcos delivers his penultimate SONA-his fifth, with only two more years and one more address left in his term. Five issues deserve more than a passing mention. These are, of course, not the only problems the nation is grappling with. Traffic remains crippling, the West Philippine Sea dispute simmers, inflation still bites, and the flood-control corruption scandal continues to unravel.

But artificial intelligence, creative professionals’ welfare, education, healthcare, and disaster preparedness should also be prioritized. These determine how well Filipinos learn, earn, heal, and survive whatever the next crisis brings.

One, artificial intelligence. The world is racing ahead, and we are barely walking. The 20th Congress is sitting on roughly 40 House bills and seven Senate bills seeking to regulate AI, yet the Philippines still has no central AI law; only a National AI Strategy approved last year and a patchwork of proposals for a Philippine Council on Artificial Intelligence. A proposed DOLE job-displacement program for workers automated out of their jobs exists only on paper. We are adopting AI faster than we are learning to govern it.

Two, creative professionals and freelance workers. The Philippines is one of, if not the fastest-growing freelance market in the world, with millions of Filipinos earning a living without contracts, benefits, or a safety net. These are our virtual assistants, writers, designers, riders, and so on. House Bill 1988, the freelance workers’ protection measure, and the POWERR bill for riders and online workers have been filed, re-filed, and endorsed by the ILO’s own Decent Work in the Platform Economy Convention. But it’s still pending. Our creative and digital workforce deserves so much more than this.

Three, education. This is the most damning number of all: only 70.8 percent of Filipinos aged 10 to 64 are functionally literate, according to the PSA’s 2024 FLEMMS survey. That means nearly one in three of us can read words without truly understanding them. The World Bank estimates 91 percent of our 10-year-olds cannot read and comprehend a simple story. EDCOM 2 found learning proficiency collapsing from 30.5 percent in Grade 3 to a mere 0.47 percent by Grade 12. Eighteen million high school graduates are functionally illiterate.

Four, healthcare. Advocates and lawmakers have been pleading, again, ahead of this SONA: raise the excise taxes on sweetened beverages and alcohol, pass HB 5003 and the Alcohol Tax Reform Bill, and use the revenue to properly fund PhilHealth and the Universal Health Care Act instead of leaving public hospitals and barangay health workers underfunded. Filipinos are getting sicker from what they eat and drink while the reforms that could fund their care sit in committee.

Five, disaster and climate readiness. The Philippines topped the WorldRiskIndex again as the world’s most disaster-prone nation, and ranks seventh in Germanwatch’s Climate Risk Index, with 371 extreme weather events and 27,500 deaths between 1995 and 2024 alone. A 7.8-magnitude earthquake off Mindanao killed dozens just weeks before this SONA. And billions meant for flood control were instead lost to the corruption scandal the President himself exposed last year.

So many months and so much money have gone into bickering in the Senate and the Lower House, into debates on matters that should never have taken priority, into politicking and the protection of personal agendas. Perhaps it is time, in these final years, for a legacy worth being proud of.

Why 12.5% US tariff may be of little economic impact to Nigeria – CPPE

Despite the apprehension within the nation’s business space on the recent decision by the United States of America (USA) to introduce a 12.5 percent tariff on imports from Nigeria, the Centre for Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) has said the development may be of little economic impact to the country’s, afterall.

The centre, in a statement by its Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Muda Yusuf, on Sunday, argued that the impact of the tariffs, which also affected about 60 trading partners of the US, might be of little economic impact, from Nigeria’s perspective, since its exports to the US are heavily concentrated in crude oil, liquefied natural gas and other petroleum products.

Those products, accounting for more than 80 percent of Nigeria’s merchandise exports to the U.S., it stated, have been exempted from the tariff measures, leaving the bulk of Nigeria’s exports unaffected.

CPPE also noted that Nigeria might not be adversely affected since the US is not the nation’s largest export market.

Quoting Nigeria’s first-quarter 2026 merchandise trade statistics, the Centre noted that out of the total exports, which stood at approximately N21.6 trillion, exports to the US only accounted for 5.56 percent.

‘By comparison, India accounted for 13.09 percent, France 9.29 percent, the Netherlands 9.22 percent, and Spain 7.68 percent. The United States ranked only the fifth-largest destination for Nigerian exports during the quarter.

‘These trade patterns significantly moderate Nigeria’s exposure to the new tariff regime,’ it added.

The centre stated further that, while some non-oil exporters, particularly in agriculture and manufacturing, may experience reduced competitiveness in the U.S. market, the overall impact on Nigeria’s export earnings, foreign exchange receipts and macroeconomic performance is expected to be modest.

According to CPPE, the products affected account for only a small proportion of Nigeria’s total exports, while the dominant export category to the U.S. remains outside the scope of the tariffs.

It, however, described the development as reflecting a broader structural shift in global trade policy, which reinforces the trend towards greater protectionism, industrial policy and strategic use of trade instruments to advance domestic economic objectives.

The Centre, therefore, called for a stronger emphasis on export diversification, enhanced manufacturing competitiveness, increased domestic value addition and deeper regional integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

It also urged the country to sustain efforts at strengthening labour standards, improving supply chain transparency and engaging proactively with the United States through diplomatic and trade channels to seek clarity on the implementation of the new measures and minimise any adverse effects on affected exporters.

Modern solid waste management practices pushed

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., during his fifth State of the Nation Address (Sona) on Monday, said he wants the 25-year-old Ecological Solid Waste Management Act updated.

This move is to strengthen efforts to correct public waste management, he said.

‘One systemic intervention is to update our 25-year-old Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, aligning it with modern waste management practices, such as waste-to-energy and waste treatment technology,’ the President said.

The Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, also known as Republic Act No. 9003, establishes a systematic program to protect public health and the environment through waste segregation, recycling, and proper disposal.

Marcos said the government can draw inspiration from the solid waste management practices of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority in Metro Manila, such as waste recovery, processing, and upcycling.

‘For example, what used to be the Carmona Sanitary Landfill of the 1990s is now the MMDA Nature Park,’ he said.

‘More than a multi-purpose green space, it shall soon be the base of its high-level disaster preparedness training and simulation exercises,’ added Marcos.

7 easy DIY cable organisers you can make from household waste

A simple upcycled items like toilet paper rolls work better than store-bought ties to prevent wire damage.

In this article, Tribune Online examines seven smart ways you can turn everyday household trash into free cable holders.

Empty toilet paper rolls

Empty cardboard rolls from your tissue paper make perfect holders for thick phone cables and laptop extensions.

Fold your cord into a neat loop and slide it directly into the roll. The hard shell holds the wire together so it never entangles with other cords in your drawer.

Plastic bread tags

Those small square plastic tags used to seal bread bags make excellent labels for your extension boxes.

Clip the tag onto the wire end and write the device name on it using a permanent marker. You will never unplug the wrong TV or decoder cord by mistake again.

Used shoe boxes

An old shoe box easily turns into a hidden charging station for your parlor.

Cut small circular holes along the front side, place an extension socket inside, and pull the charger tips through.

This hides ugly multi-plugs and keeps dust away from your sockets.

Heavy-duty binder clips

Old office binder clips can hold loose phone cords along your wooden desk.

Clamp the clip to the edge of your table and pass the charger wire through the silver metal loops.

The thick head stops the cord from slipping to the floor when unplugged.

Twist ties from food packaging

The tiny wire ties that seal bread bags, biscuit wrappers, and electronics packaging are very useful.

Wrap your long cords together and twist the wire around them to secure the bundle. They work just like expensive velcro straps and cost absolutely nothing.

Empty plastic water bottles

Cut the top and bottom off a small plastic bottle to create a clear sleeve. Slide your rolled-up television extension wires straight into the middle section.

The stiff plastic keeps heavy cables bound tightly together during transport or storage.

Cardboard egg cartons

Cut out individual cups from a paper egg carton to separate tiny items like earphone wires or flash drives.

Place the cups side by side in your table drawer to form neat compartments that keep small gadgets organized.

Sona 2026: Marcos lauds Pax Silica hub amid ‘mounting opposition’

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday hailed the economic benefits of the Pax Silica hub in his fifth State of the Nation Address (Sona), which the militant group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) said was ‘not surprising’.

Bayan said that, despite the president praising the project, there was ‘mounting opposition’ to the United States-led initiative.

The organization staged a ‘People’s Sona’ along Commonwealth Avenue to counter Marcos’ speech, and the coalition’s condemnation of the industrial hub was one of the highlights of the demonstration.

The rally organizers said as many as 15,000 joined their protest.

But for Marcos, supporting Pax Silica is part of the country’s bid ‘to strive for bigger and greater things’ by ‘venturing into areas heretofore unimaginable,’ to position the country in the global value chain.

‘[A] product of the 23-member strong and US-led Pax Silica Initiative, the Pax Silica Industrial Hub will create an ecosystem that will have AI at its core,’ Marcos said in his speech.

‘It will bring quality jobs to our people, accelerate our industrial competitiveness, and revitalize our economy,’ the president noted.

He reported that the hub will be a strategic component of the Luzon economic corridor, which will be an ‘advanced manufacturing and logistics center in the global AI and technology value chain.’

The country has designated a 1,620-hectare site in New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac as the proposed location of an AI and advanced manufacturing hub under Pax Silica.

The hub can bring in up to P180 billion in total revenues per year and generate almost 200,000 jobs for Filipinos, according to the Bases and Conversion Development Authority.

But for Bayan President Renato Reyes Jr., the initiative will only create ‘low-value added jobs… on top of the environmental and social costs, and our integration into the US war production.’

‘Not surprising that he doubled down on Pax Silica despite the mounting opposition to it,’ Reyes told Inquirer in a text message. ‘Marcos Jr. clings to the discredited economic trope that foreign investments mean more jobs and economic growth.’

For Reyes, the president is now ‘desperate’ to offer a signed agreement with Pax Silica amid a possible Manila visit by US President Donald Trump in November for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Leaders’ Summit.