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What if your phone had a little companion waiting to greet you every time you unlocked the screen? With the upcoming vivo V80, powered by OriginOS 7, users can add a playful touch to their screens with Pet Pals, a wallpaper theme featuring virtual pets that move and interact with users.

More than just static wallpaper, Pet Pals brings a little character to the lock screen, turning everyday moments like checking notifications or glancing at the time into something more delightful. For pet lovers, it is a charming way to add a touch of cuteness to a device they reach for throughout the day.

More ways to personalize the vivo V80

Pet Pals is just one of the ways OriginOS 7 makes personalization more fun.

The vivo V80 also features Wiggle, which brings movement to wallpaper through motion-responsive effects; Glint, which adds shimmering visual details; and StickIt, which lets users decorate their system with playful stickers.

From adorable companions to eye-catching effects, these themes make the vivo V80 experience feel more personal, turning everyday phone interactions into opportunities for self-expression.

With Pet Pals and the other OriginOS 7 themes, the vivo V80 brings personality to these everyday interactions, showing how even a simple screen unlock can become an opportunity for self-expression.

Curious to see these playful features in action? Discover Pet Pals and more of the vivo V80 experience by tuning in to the vivo V80 launch livestream on vivo Philippines’ official Facebook page on October 30 at 6 PM

SM’s commitment to a more sustainable future can be experienced through the everyday features found across its malls, from large-scale renewable energy systems to smart technologies that help reduce energy consumption.

At SM Supermalls, energy efficiency is embedded into both mall design and operations. Through innovations such as rooftop solar panels, green building features, and energy-efficient systems, the company reduces electricity consumption while supporting the country’s sustainability goals.

Many of these initiatives are seamlessly integrated into the mall experience. Among them are motion-sensor escalators, which detect passenger movement and operate only when needed. By automatically activating when a shopper approaches and remains idle when not in use, these systems help reduce unnecessary energy consumption by up to 50% during low foot traffic hours and 20% during high foot traffic hours while maintaining convenience and comfort.

SM Supermalls also create bright, comfortable, and energy-efficient spaces through the use of LED lighting. Compared with traditional incandescent bulbs, LED lights consume significantly less energy while providing enhanced illumination. They also generate less heat, helping reduce the cooling load on air-conditioning systems, particularly during warmer months.

These daily operations are further supported by SM Supermalls’ expansive solar power network. Lighting systems, air-conditioning units, kitchen equipment, and other essential facilities benefit from renewable energy generated by what is now the country’s largest rooftop solar panel network among property developers. With more than 200,000 solar panels installed across 75 mall properties, SM continues to expand its renewable energy capacity to help ease demand on the national power grid, reaching 125 MWp reaching 125 MWp-enough to power the equivalent of all households in Romblon province.

Among its notable renewable energy installations are the solar canopies at SM Mall of Asia and the solar parasols at SM City Bicutan. These features combine functionality and sustainability, enhancing outdoor spaces while generating clean energy and promoting environmental awareness among visitors.

These initiatives demonstrate how energy efficiency can be integrated into everyday mall experiences. Beyond reducing electricity consumption at the property level, they contribute to the broader decarbonization strategy of SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime), which prioritizes energy efficiency and renewable energy as key pathways for reducing carbon emissions.

By lowering its operational footprint and advancing responsible energy use across its developments, SM Supermalls’ integrated approach to energy management helps conserve resources, strengthen energy security, and create lasting benefits for the communities it serves.

‘The energy-efficient systems we implement today are investments in a more sustainable future,’ said Engr. Junias M. Eusebio, Vice President for Operations of SM Supermalls. ‘We continuously explore new ways to strengthen our energy management practices and create long-term value for the communities we serve while supporting the country’s transition to a more sustainable and low-carbon future.’

For the first time in its corporate history – DoubleDragon Corporation’s core revenue in the first 9 months of 2026 reaches ?20.78 Billion pesos.This Total Revenues comprised of pure 100% core revenues (with zero revaluation gains).

For the first time DD’s Foreign Currency revenues contributed majority or 59.03% of its quarterly total Core Revenues as the global expansion of its novel and unique Hotel101 prop-tech business model began to gain significant momentum in various countries.

DD’s subsidiary Hotel101 Global made a significant leap forward after it has opened its fully sold out perfected global prototype in Madrid Spain with 680 operating rooms

Hotel101 Global’s business model generates revenues and income twice, firstly from sale of units, and secondly generates recurring revenues from hotel operations

DoubleDragon Corporation is expected to become one of the major US Dollar currency inflow generator to the Philippine economy

DD’s core revenues both in the Philippines and Overseas continue to jump up after many years that the DD team have passionately planted and

diligently nurtured the right hard assets in the right places, and by carefully innovating the nuts and bolts of its business lines in the past several years, and the durable trees now positioned in the Philippines and abroad are now starting to produce recurring valuable fruits

DoubleDragon’s Core Net Income for the first nine months of 2026 increased by 253.59% year-on-year to ?3.91 Billion

Notably, DoubleDragon continues to demonstrate a significant acceleration in its core operating performance, with the Company’s third-quarter results reflecting a substantial increase in revenues and earnings. This marks a significant milestone in the Company’s continuing transition towards recurring and core operating revenues in the Philippine operations and globally

As of September 30, 2026, DoubleDragon’s Total Assets reached ?256.82 Billion, increasing by ?31.56 Billion from ?225.26 Billion as of December 31, 2025

Total Equity reached ?107.02 Billion as of September 30, 2026, increasing by ?5.41 Billion from year-end 2025

Worth noting too that DoubleDragon is one of the – if not the only listed investment holding company with business in the property sector that do not have any ongoing residential condominium project under development in its portfolio. DD also do not have any exposure to the large BPO locators

DoubleDragon’s Consolidated Revenues for the first nine months of 2026 reaches ?20.78 Billion, about double or 98.76% higher than the same period last year

DoubleDragon’s Core Revenues for the first 9 months of 2026 reaches ?20.78 Billion, increasing by 143.65% versus the same period last year

DoubleDragon’s Net Income for the third quarter of 2026 reaches ?1.13 Billion, increasing more than 6 folds from ?183.67 Million in the same period last year

This strategy aligns with Hotel101 Global’s disciplined, asset-light, prop-tech hospitality model and supports the Company’s ultimate vision of developing one million standardized rooms across more than 100 countries, with the goal of becoming the world’s largest single-brand hotel chain

DD has generated significant increase in its core revenues and core income, and DD expects an even higher jump in its core revenues by the second half of this year 2026, driven by the continued generation of core revenues from its leasing portfolios, new mall openings, new warehouses, new office tenants, new MerryMart supermarkets and mainly from the expected new unit sales from Hotel101 projects in the Philippines and from several countries overseas

DoubleDragon Group continues to tap various capital initiatives to further strengthen its balance sheet and boost its overall progress towards its 2035 Vision

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To date, DoubleDragon is the first and only Filipino company that has a subsidiary listed

on the U.S. NASDAQ Stock Exchange, enabling DoubleDragon to gain access to the deep capital markets in the United States for its pipeline of equity and capital raises

DoubleDragon believes that gone are the days when Philippine companies bring in foreign brands and concepts to the Philippines or copying what works abroad to the Philippine market, but rather developing a truly unique and differentiated branded business models in the Philippines and then export it to the rest of the world would have a far larger and lasting positive impact to the Philippine economy

The DoubleDragon team is committed to put in the necessary hard work, entrepreneurial grit and perseverance towards this vision and eventually aims to make Hotel101 a truly global brand operating in various jurisdictions worldwide, and eventually bring a pinch of pride and honor to our fellow Filipino countrymen.

Given this trajectory, DoubleDragon Corporation is expected to achieve its ?500 Billion Total Core Revenue goal ahead of time before its 2035 target

AS Undas fast approaches, I’m reminded of a few of the customs with which we Filipinos commemorate our dead.

Many of these are largely based on superstition. For instance, when a dead body is prepared for viewing, it is clothed in its finest, with a broken rosary wrapped around clasped hands placed on the chest. Breaking the rosary is supposed to ensure no one else in the family passes away.

While most believe that keeping the dead’s feet unshod is a way for the soul to reach heaven unencumbered, the reason is actually practical. When people die and rigor mortis sets in, it makes it more difficult to put the shoes on dead feet.

In other cultures though, shoes are a must, as they believe the soul has to be well-dressed when it meets its maker. However, most-as in the case of traditional Chinese and Koreans-will just include the shoes in the coffin, but not on their dead’s feet.

One thing our family learned from other friends who have experienced deaths in their own families, is that we aren’t supposed to usher out our visitors to the door during a wake. Escorting visitors is supposed to create a continuous succession of family members dying in succession.

Our relatives from Capiz and Iloilo, however, were befuddled with this custom. It apparently does not exist among the Hiligaynons. We found that out when we had to bury my oldest brother in Roxas City, where he lived and died. As we live in Manila, however, we actually have no choice but to practice the ‘bawal maghatid’ custom since we are constantly reminded to do so by the departing guests.

What we eschew, however, is the custom of not allowing food to be brought home from the wake. This is a no-no among many Filipinos, as they believe they are sending out negative energies, and bring death or bad luck to the people who bring home leftovers.

But I remember close friends who dropped by at our Papa’s wake, then many years later our Mama’s, and who loved the food we served for dinner. Before they went home, we would let them take home styro boxes of the dishes they enjoyed. In this day and age, we believe it’s more of a misfortune to waste good food. And because we are a family who enjoys our meals and eating out, we send these extra food to our friends, with love and only good wishes.

Meanwhile, the Filipino-Chinese among us will not celebrate any happy occasion in the year following a family member’s passing. They believe doing so will invite bad luck to the celebrant.

For instance, many Chinoy couples will reschedule their wedding to a later date out of respect for the one who had just died, especially if it’s a parent. Who wants to start off their lives as newlyweds with immediate ill luck, right? Of course, I know a couple who pushed through with their wedding plans, citing the wishes of the bride’s dad.

One of the more interesting wake/funeral traditions I witnessed earlier in the year was in Silang, Cavite. As my friends and I visited the wake of Kler’s mom, a marching band suddenly arrived playing traditional tunes for the family next door. At first, the band members were all seated whoomping, whistling and banging, then later progressed to pop tunes.

Later, the majorettes then stood and started twirling their batons and dancing, a few suggestive moves here and there, as the drums snapped and thudded, while the trumpets, trombones, and tuba loudly thumped a once popular Hagibis song.

It was quite entertaining, to be honest, reminding me of New Orleans, where funeral parades are led by brass bands and dancing. In Cavite’s case, it is apparently the marching band capital of the Philippines, and its bands enliven many town fiestas or the last day of wakes.

For the most part, the traditional way of condoling here in Manila is to slip a few hundreds or thousands of pesos to the family members of the dead, when attending the latter’s wake. In the case of Ilonggos, they bring food to the wake, even if the surviving family has already prepared meals or snacks for expected visitors.

Another first for me is a Filipino custom where a toddler, in this case my then five-year-old nephew Mikee, was passed over my brother Eugene’s casket. Mikee, of course, kicked and screamed, not understanding what was happening as we waited to bury my brother.

It was later explained to me that this is supposed to prevent the spirit of the departed to show up in the toddler’s nightmares. I found this amusing and totally out of whack. Anyone who is close to our family would know that Eugene had the most gentle of souls among us siblings, and will not do anything to haunt and scare little ones.

And what about the now-infamous pagpag? We are told that after leaving a wake, we’re supposed to stop by another location instead of directly going home. This way, we don’t unwittingly bring home any wayward spirits.

Most of us will go out for coffee, or stop by at a convenience store to buy something (or nothing at all) just to shake off those ghosts. This led to a hilarious meme supposedly started by 7-11, where it implored the public to stop using their stores to pagpag, because they were already full of ghosts! (But, no, the company never posted such a public appeal. And it never bothered to deny the meme. Hey, it’s free publicity after all!)

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In the end, perhaps these customs are less about keeping the dead away than about helping the living cope with loss. We break rosaries, don’t escort guests to the door, keep leftover food to ourselves, and make detours after wakes-all in the hope of warding off death and bad luck.

But as I’ve learned from our own family’s experiences, grief has a way of making us hold on to whatever brings us comfort, even if it makes little sense to others. And if a little superstition helps us sleep better at night, so be it.

To be fair, no amount of pagpag or broken rosaries will really be able to keep our dead from visiting us this Undas. And if we do hear them knocking on the door, or show up at the foot of our bed, just pray they’re not expecting us to serve them dinner. Frankly, who’s gonna take home those leftovers after they leave?

Wilcon Depot, the nation’s leading building partner, closes 2026 on a high note as it continues its pursuit of innovation, excellence, and nationwide growth with its final store opening of the year at Wilcon Depot Enrile in Cagayan on October 23, 2026.

Marking the company’s second depot branch in Cagayan Valley following its established presence in Iguig, the new store brings affordable, quality building and home improvement solutions in a wide range of choices closer to local communities.

With the region’s continued growth and increasing demand for building products and services, Wilcon Depot Enrile offers a wide selection of products, including tiles, furniture, plumbing fixtures, DIY essentials, and home interior items to support customers’ building, renovation, and home improvement needs. The new store also creates job opportunities for local residents, contributing to the community’s economic growth and development.

Beyond its wide range of quality products, the store offers convenient services to make home improvement projects easier. The 3D Design Hub helps customers bring their ideas to life through floor plans and realistic 3D layouts of living spaces, kitchens, and bathrooms. The Tile Studio showcases a wide selection of local and imported tiles, including stylish Spanish and Italian collections featuring the latest designs and trends. Meanwhile, Tile Cutting Services, using the reliable Hills Tile Cutter, ensure precise tile sizing for a perfect fit on walls and floors.

Further strengthening its commitment not only to homeowners but also to industry professionals, the opening of Wilcon Depot Enrile highlights the MyWilcon ABCDE+ program, which offers added value alongside its wide selection of quality products. Professionals can register for free by presenting a valid ID at the ABCDE+ registration booth or through the MyWilcon App.

During the opening, Wilcon Depot EVP for Sales and Retail Stores Operations, Ms. Eden Mandap, welcomed the opportunity to serve Enrile and its neighboring communities, emphasizing the company’s commitment to being a trusted partner at every stage of their building journey, from constructing new homes and improving existing spaces to undertaking larger projects.

Government officials from Enrile and nearby municipalities and cities also graced the event, reflecting the warm support of the Cagayan community for the newly opened store. Adding to the festive celebration were exciting promotions, free loyalty membership registration, and raffle activities for customers and industry professionals.

With its continued commitment to offering quality products, convenient services, and great value, Wilcon Depot looks forward to serving the growing home improvement and construction needs of the community.

Wilcon Depot Enrile, Cagayan branch is located at Barangay III-A San Jose, Enrile, Cagayan, and is open daily from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Customers may also shop online through shop.wilcon.com.ph or enjoy added convenience through Wilcon Depot’s Call, Collect, and Deliver (CCD) Program via the branch’s Viber account.

CEBU CITY – Philippine police have begun examining electronic devices and other materials surrendered by Thomas Markle Jr. in Cebu as part of an investigation into alleged inappropriate content, with the regional prosecutor’s office saying it will pursue charges if evidence warrants prosecution.

Regional Prosecutor Graeme Elmido said the Philippine National Police (PNP) had secured a warrant to examine computer data, allowing investigators to proceed with the forensic examination of the items.

Some devices have reportedly been sent to the PNP central office in Manila because the regional anti-cybercrime unit in Cebu lacks the necessary tools to examine certain materials, Elmido said in an interview on Friday, Oct. 30, 2026.

The investigation began after a man identifying himself as Thomas Markle Jr. went to the prosecutor’s office several days earlier to report that he had allegedly discovered materials containing inappropriate content and wanted to surrender them to authorities.

According to Elmido, the complainant expressed his intention to turn over all the items, including personal belongings, after encountering material he considered inappropriate. The PNP subsequently arranged to receive the items.

Elmido said he had not personally inspected the boxes or their contents.

He cited the complainant’s account that the materials included cellular phones, photographs, small film reels, hard drives, books and other items.

The prosecutor emphasized that the PNP is responsible for examining the materials and determining whether they contain evidence of criminal activity.

‘We will follow where the evidence leads us,’ Elmido said, stressing that investigators must establish the facts before identifying anyone who may be held accountable.

The prosecutor’s office will assist the police if needed.

Should the investigation produce sufficient evidence against a particular individual, the PNP may file a complaint with the prosecution service for preliminary investigation.

Under the procedure outlined by Elmido, prosecutors would issue a subpoena directing the respondent to answer the allegations. If the evidence establishes sufficient grounds for indictment, the case could proceed to court.

The possibility that a respondent may be outside the Philippines would not automatically prevent the case from moving forward, he said.

If a case is filed in court and the accused is abroad, authorities may pursue extradition, subject to applicable legal requirements and procedures.

Elmido said the entire process is ideally completed within 90 days, although he cautioned that the actual duration would depend on several factors, including court schedules and holidays.

He declined to predict when the investigation would conclude, noting that the forensic examination and other investigative steps would determine the next course of action.

The prosecutor also sought to separate the investigation from the public attention surrounding the Markle name, saying authorities must evaluate the evidence objectively and respect the rights of anyone who may eventually face charges.

While Cebu prosecutors have handled numerous cases involving abuse to children, Elmido said each case must be assessed on its own merits.

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He noted that outcomes depend on the strength and credibility of the evidence, among other factors.

He also highlighted the need to protect child complainants from further trauma during legal proceedings, particularly when testifying could require them to recount distressing experiences.

Elmido said prosecutors must consider ways to pursue cases without unnecessarily exposing children to further psychological harm, while ensuring that the evidence is sufficient to support a prosecution.

He warned foreign nationals against traveling to the Philippines to engage in child exploitation or similar criminal activities, saying authorities would pursue the full extent of the law when evidence establishes wrongdoing. | Carmel Pedro