Category: Business Mirror

SENATOR Bam Aquino filed a resolution honoring Team ENCORE for making history as the inaugural champions of the Ragnarok Origin Classic (ROOC) Tyr Cup Grand Finals held in Bangkok, Thailand.

In Senate Resolution No. 518, Aquino congratulated and commended the team for its dominant 4-0 victory over Team Poek in the championship match.

The victory earned the team the $500,000 grand prize, exclusive Champion’s Medal and the distinction of serving as the Tyr Cup Honor Representatives.

Team ENCORE is composed of Julius ‘BanoobsDR’ Mariano, Johnmar ‘SUN33V’ Villaluna, Awie Angelo ‘AfyGDPS’ Reyes, Edward Joseph ‘Yamato’ Raymundo, Angelo ‘DocxBR’ Docosin, Joshua Dayne ‘WeeJOSHBR’ Abrera, James Michael ‘Nasmi’ Doron, Stephen Martin ‘WeeGetziiBR’ Doron, Kyle Bernard ‘WeeYomiBR’ Ante and Michael Angelo ‘WeeFrzttBR’ Luy.

‘Team ENCORE’s victory demonstrated the growing excellence and competitiveness of Filipino esports athletes on the international stage, showcasing the skill, discipline, teamwork, and perseverance necessary to succeed at the highest levels of competitive gaming,’ said Aquino, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Science and Technology.

According to Aquino, the team’s victory is a testament to the continued growth of the Philippine esports industry and the country’s increasing competitiveness in international gaming competitions, with Filipino esports athletes continuing to make their mark on the global stage.

‘The historic triumph of Team ENCORE in the inaugural Tyr Cup brings pride and honor to the Philippines and serves as an inspiration to Filipino gamers and aspiring esports athletes, further demonstrating the country’s potential to compete and excel in the rapidly growing global esports industry,’ he emphasized.

A staunch supporter of Filipino esports athletes and the video game development industry, Aquino recently commended Aurora Gaming PH for winning the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang M7 World Championship held in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Aquino helped establish the Philippine Esports Association (PeSPA) to strengthen the foundation of esports in the country, look after the welfare of esports athletes and stakeholders, and promote esports nationwide.

Converge’s big man Justin Arana eyes another victory – third straight – in Season 50 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup on Friday when the FiberXers take on the Macau Giant Pandas at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

‘It was a crucial moment when Balti blocked that shot. We played as a unit last time and we are hoping we keep this up against Macau,’ Arana said after Converge’s thrilling 105-103 win over Terrafirma last Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum.

Despite Jalen Hudson’s misfiring, Arana registered his second best career night of 31 points – just one point short of tying his career high 32 points two years ago against Phoenix – in addition to 10 rebounds that gave the FiberXers their 2-0 start.

Meanwhile, veteran import Hudson hopes to bounce back from a terrible offensive night as Converge looks to stretch its winning run against Macau and gain a share of Group A leadership starting 5:15 p.m.

Blackwater and Magnolia clash in Group B at 7:30pm, with the Bossing targeting a 2-0 start after a 131-108 upset win over Rain or Shine and the Hotshots hope to rebound from their opening 86-98 defeat to Phoenix.

Hudson shot atrociously on 1-of-14 from the field and firing blanks from beyond the arc in six attempts as his squad almost blew a 16-point lead if not for Justine Baltazar’s defensive shot blocking heroics.

He fired 20 points, four assists, and got eight rebounds in Converge’s first win against Titan Ultra., 105-74.

Head coach Delta Pineda is also giving Hudson more time to adjust to Converge’s system.

Macau chases a breakthrough win after dropping its first two assignments in the season-ending conference.

The Giant Pandas are going to rely on Damian Chong Qui and De’Vondre Perry who averaged 29.0 and 25.5 points, respectively, in their losses to NLEX and San Miguel Beer.

MORE than half of all posts selling backdoor access to compromised companies on dark web forums now target small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), cybersecurity firm Kaspersky said on Thursday, a finding that carries outsized risk for the Philippines, where such enterprises make up nearly all registered businesses.

Kaspersky’s Digital Footprint Intelligence Unit, which analyzed hundreds of posts by so-called initial access brokers published from January to April 2026, found that offers of access to allegedly compromised small-sized organizations accounted for the largest share of listings at 40 percent, outstripping those for large corporations and nonprofits.

Posts targeting medium-sized firms took up another 20 percent, meaning SMBs together represented more than half of the illicit market.

Initial access brokers sell entry points into corporate systems, often detailing the victim company’s location, industry, revenue, and the type of access on offer. Buyers can then use these footholds to deploy ransomware, steal confidential corporate data, or carry out other fraud.

‘Despite the fact that posts concerning small-sized companies prevail, threat actors may target mediumsized businesses as they generate higher revenue than small businesses while they may have lower level of protection against cyberthreats than large ones,’ said Ekaterina Beloborodova, analyst at Kaspersky Digital Footprint Intelligence.

She added: ‘Thus, the common belief that small- and medium-sized enterprises are uninteresting to attackers is a misconception.’

Beloborodova said companies of any size need to understand the threat landscape, adhere to cybersecurity policies, deploy appropriate security solutions, and continuously train employees.

She noted that SMBs tend to be less protected than large enterprises while often serving as trusted contractors to them, making a compromised small firm a potential gateway into bigger, better-defended organizations.

To reduce exposure, Kaspersky advised SMBs to adopt security solutions matched to their size and budget, consider managed detection and response services if they lack round-the-clock security personnel, monitor the dark web for leaked credentials and lookalike websites, set clear rules on the use of external services, define access controls for corporate email and shared files, and regularly back up critical data.

THE National Police said on Thursday that three of the four suspects in the killing of American marine biologist Kent Carpenter have been arrested.

Col. Allen Rae Co, National Police spokesman, told newsmen in a press conference in Camp Rafael T. Crame, Quezon City, that ‘the Regional Director of Police Regional Office NIR [Negros Island Region], Brig. Gen. [Romano] Cardiño, reported to the Chief PNP that they have already arrested three of the four suspects in the killing of the American marine biologist.’

He said those arrested were alias M.O., 26 years old, the alleged gunman; alias J.F., the one who allegedly sexually assaulted the live-in partner of the victim; and alias C.D., the alleged lookout.

Carpenter, 73, was watching television on Sunday night with his partner when three assailants wearing bonnets and masks barged into the house in barangay Ajong, Sibulan, shot dead the American, molested his partner and took the valuables of the couple.

Pasay City – Senator Mark A. Villar is pushing for stronger security and emergency preparedness in schools through Senate Bill No. 2321, or the proposed Learning Institution’s Guaranteed Threat Avoidance and Safety Act (LIGTAS Act), amid violent incidents involving students and school personnel.

In recent months, shooting and stabbing incidents involving minors have been reported in schools across the country, including the deadly shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City and separate stabbing incidents in Cavite and Las Piñas.

‘These incidents are painful reminders that violence can happen even in places where our children are supposed to feel safest. Hindi natin puwedeng hayaang maging normal ang takot sa loob ng paaralan. We need to act before another life is lost,’ Villar said.

The LIGTAS Act seeks to establish a uniform school safety framework for all public and private basic education institutions from Kinder to Grade 12.

Among the bill’s salient features are increased police visibility and coordinated threat assessments; direct emergency hotlines with police, fire, and response units; immediate notification of parents during student emergencies; adequate first-aid and emergency equipment; and trained medical personnel and security guards.

The measure also calls for the strategic installation of CCTV cameras and appropriate security screening systems, as well as comprehensive school safety and security training for students and personnel.

Another key provision is the creation of a School Safety Council in every city and municipality, composed of local government, education, police, fire, disaster response, school, and parent representatives. The council will develop localized safety policies, coordinate emergency response efforts, and monitor schools’ compliance with safety standards.

‘Ang kaligtasan ng ating mga estudyante ay responsibilidad nating lahat. Kailangan ang koordinasyon ng schools, local governments, law enforcement, emergency responders, teachers, and parents to keep our children safe,’ Villar said.

‘Through the LIGTAS Act, we want safer and more prepared schools where every Filipino student is protected,’ Villar concluded.

After months of fierce competition and hard-fought matchups from different legs, the vivo 3×3 Basketball Challenge Year 4 officially crowned its newest champions on July 12 at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall, where Queenpin Basketball and Montero Hoops emerged victorious in the Women’s and Men’s divisions, respectively.

Now in its fourth year, the vivo 3×3 Basketball Challenge continues to champion Filipino basketball by providing aspiring and seasoned athletes with a platform to compete, gain exposure, and showcase their skills on a national stage.

This year’s tournament culminated in thrilling championship matchups, with the winners taking home championship trophies, medals, cash prizes of up to Php 30,000, and vivo smartphones, headlined by the latest vivo V70.

Queenpin Basketball shines in Women’s Division

Queenpin Basketball delivered a dominant performance in the Women’s Division Finals, defeating QP 3×3, 21-10, to secure the championship title.

For their championship victory, Queenpin Basketball received Php 30,000 in cash and a brand-new vivo V70. QP 3×3 finished as first runner-up, taking home Php 20,000 and a vivo V70 FE. Uratex Dream secured second runner-up with Php 15,000 and a vivo Y31d, while Kengs Basketball Team rounded out the podium with Php 10,000 and a vivo Y05.

For Queenpin veteran Nic Cancio, the biggest victory wasn’t just bringing home the championship, it was seeing women’s basketball receive the recognition it deserves. ‘I am very happy, not just for the experience but really for the spotlight that it gives to women’s basketball and to women in sport. I am very happy with this kind of opportunity. It’s my first time joining vivo 3×3 and I hope it won’t be the last,’ she shared.

As the oldest player on the team, Cancio shared that the tournament challenged her beyond physical endurance. More importantly, it reminded her of the importance of trusting her teammates and believing in one another.

‘I’m not gonna lie, it really challenged me. I’m 30 years old, I’m the eldest in my team, but it challenged me not just to think about my physical limits but beyond that. It challenged me to help my teammates shine, to believe in ourselves, and to believe in our team, ‘ Cancio added.

Years of persistence pay off for Montero Hoops

The Men’s Division Finals delivered one of the tournament’s most thrilling games as Montero Hoops edged Taho Story MFTG Corporation, 20-19, to claim the championship.

Montero Hoops received Php 30,000 in cash and a brand-new vivo V70 for their championship victory. Taho Story MFTG Corporation finished as first runner-up, taking home Php 20,000 and a vivo V70 FE. Taho Story claimed second runner-up with Php 15,000 and a vivo Y31d, while SMG Kings completed the winners’ circle with Php 10,000 and a vivo Y05 unit.

For Jerick Fabian, lifting the vivo 3×3 Basketball Challenge trophy was the culmination of years of hard work, sacrifice, and returning to the tournament with one goal: to finally become champions.

‘Happy and blessed kasi ilang years na namin pinagpaguran ito. Yearly sumasali kami and ngayon nakuha na namin, so napakasaya. Lalo na yung exposure dito, napakaganda,’ he said.

Despite entering the tournament as underdogs, Fabian said their belief in one another never wavered. Every practice, every sacrifice, and every game eventually led to their breakthrough moment.

‘Yung pagiging underdog namin kasi lahat ng kasali dito malakas. Pinagplanuhan din namin ito, nagp-practice kami, nagsacrifice kami para makuha yung panalo,’ Fabian added.

Missed the action?

Fans can still relive the excitement by watching the full replay of the vivo 3×3 Basketball Challenge Year 4 Semi-Finals and Grand Finals.

More than crowning champions, the vivo 3×3 Basketball Challenge continues to strengthen basketball in the Philippines by creating opportunities for aspiring athletes to compete, grow, and inspire others through sport.

Through initiatives like the vivo 3×3 Basketball Challenge, vivo remains committed to supporting sports, empowering local talent, and inspiring the next generation of Filipino athletes to dream bigger, compete harder, and pursue greatness, both on and off the court.

Stay updated on vivo’s latest products, events, and community initiatives by following vivo Philippines on Facebook, Instagram , YouTube, X, and TikTok.

Sun Life Philippines has been recognized for excellence in both innovation and employee engagement, winning two honors at the Insurance Asia Awards 2026:

Insurance Product Innovation of the Year – Philippines for Sun Life EasyLink Protect

Employee Engagement Initiative of the Year – Philippines for its CX Factor Awards and Feedback Ecosystem

These recognitions highlight Sun Life’s continued commitment to delivering meaningful solutions for Clients and fostering a culture of excellence among its employees.

Expanding access to protection

Sun Life EasyLink Protect was developed to address persistent barriers that prevent many Filipinos from accessing life insurance, including complex medical underwriting and affordability concerns.

Designed as a guaranteed-issue, investment-linked plan, the product removes the need for medical exams and offers flexible, long-term protection, making insurance more accessible to underserved segments.

Turning Client feedback into a culture of excellence

Meanwhile, Sun Life Philippines’ award-winning employee engagement initiative centers on its Feedback Ecosystem and CX Factor Awards, which elevate Client feedback from fragmented inputs into a unified, actionable system.

By linking real client commendations to employee recognition, the CX Factor Awards empower frontliners and reinforce a culture where client experience drives performance, learning, and engagement.

‘These recognitions reflect what matters most to us-our Clients and our people,’ Sun Life Philippines Country Head and CEO JJ Moreno said. ‘We thank our Clients for their trust, and our employees and advisors for their dedication in living our purpose every day. We look forward to helping more Filipinos achieve lifetime financial security and live healthier lives.’

‘PelikulAgraryo 2025’ student filmmakers were given an exclusive opportunity to experience the day-to-day operations of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), encouraging future generations to go beyond observing government work and to gain a deeper appreciation of the responsibilities that come with serving the people.

DAR Secretary Conrado M. Estrella III, together with several officials, welcomed the young filmmakers to the DAR Central Office on July 13, for the immersion and learning activity.

‘You are not here just to observe. I want you to see how the government truly works and, hopefully, learn lessons that cannot always be taught inside the classroom,’ Estrella said.

While leading the participants to his office, Estrella guided the students through the Department’s staircase gallery, where he recounted the history of DAR and the enduring legacy of his grandfather, the late Agrarian Reform Minister Conrado F. Estrella, Sr., who served as the country’s first agrarian reform minister. He likewise toured the students inside the historic Minister’s Room, where significant decisions that shaped the country’s agrarian reform program were once made.

The participants were also introduced to the DAR’s officials, who discussed several flagship initiatives being implemented under the leadership of Secretary Estrella, including the Support to Parcelization of Lands for Individual Titling (SPLIT) Project, Value Chain Innovation for Sustainable Transformation in Agrarian Reform Communities (VISTA) Project, and infrastructure initiatives, including Pang-Agraryong Tulay para sa Bagong Bayanihan ng mga Magsasaka (PBBM) Bridge and Farm-to-Market Roads, which improve mobility, reduce transportation costs, and connect farming communities to trading centers and essential services.

The discussions, likewise, highlighted the Department’s continuing modernization efforts through the provision of support services including farm machinery and equipment, the conduct of activities like Agraryo Trade Fair that helps farmers market their products, scholarship opportunities for qualified students, and the establishment of the Agrarian Reform Training Institute which aims to equip farmers and stakeholders with the knowledge and skills needed for sustainable agricultural development.

Officials also explained the implementation of Republic Act No. 11953, or the New Agrarian Emancipation Act, through the issuance of Certificates of Condonation with Release of Mortgage (COCROMs), which condone the unpaid land amortization of qualified agrarian reform beneficiaries and release their lands from government mortgage, empowering them to improve productivity and maximize the economic potential of their farms.

Estrella recounted how President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s concern for the welfare of farmers paved the way for the enactment of R.A. 11953. He shared that after realizing the hardships faced by agrarian reform beneficiaries due to the pandemic, global conflicts, climate change, and other economic pressures, the President, with the support of Congress, championed the passage of the law to condone their unpaid land amortization.

As climate change makes extreme weather events more frequent and more severe, preparing for drought is just as important as responding to it.

For the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA), this means working with local water districts long before the previously-announced El Niño phenomenon affects water supply. Through planning, technical assistance, and close coordination, the agency helps local water districts build resilience to keep communities supplied with safe and reliable water despiteincreasingly unpredictable weather conditions.

This proactive approach supports the broader water security agenda of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., who has consistently emphasized the need for stronger, more resilient water systems capable of meeting the country’s growing demand for safe and reliable water.

‘Preparedness is one of the best investments we in LWUA can make in water security. By helping water districts anticipate risks, strengthen their systems, and plan ahead, we protect not only water supply but also the communities that depend on it every day,’ said LWUA Administrator Atty. Jose Moises ‘Joy’ F. Salonga.

When early forecasts pointed to the onset of El Niño, LWUA did not wait for water shortages to occur.

Instead, the agency activated Task Force El Niño and immediately met with and directed local water districts nationwide to implement preparedness measures.

This included an official memorandum detailing four pillars designed to strengthen the water districts’ long-term resilience: Climate-Resilient Water Supply Systems, Operational Preparedness and Demand Management, Institutional Preparedness Through a Standardized Manual of Operations (lined up for cascading), and Strengthened Monitoring, Technical Assistance, and Financial Support.

‘Rather than relying solely on emergency interventions during drought events, LWUA is institutionalizing measures that improve water system resilience before water shortages occur,’ the Memorandum read.

Early on, utilities were instructed to assess the reliability of their water sources, identify areas at risk of supply disruption, formulate mitigation plans, and update contingency measures to ensure continuous service during prolonged dry conditions.

Through regular coordination and monitoring, LWUA is helping water districts prepare for the challenges before they could escalate into full-blown crises.

This proactive approach recognizes a simple reality often missed by the public: no two local water districts face the same challenges.

Some rely on surface water sources that become vulnerable during extended dry spells.

Others contend with rapidly growing populations that place increasing pressure on existing supplies. Rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all strategy, LWUA worked closely with individual water districts, providing technical guidance and operational support tailored to local conditions and risk profiles.

Preparedness also means reducing non-revenue water, ensuring that water districts’ limited water resources are used as efficiently as possible, and pushing for responsible water use.

During periods of drought, conserving existing water resources can be just as important as developing new ones. LWUA therefore continues to help water districts strengthen operational efficiency, improve system monitoring, and reduce avoidable water losses through technical assistance and performance management. These efforts enable utilities to maximize available supply and sustain service even when water resources become constrained.

Equally important is LWUA’s role in fostering coordination across the highly-diverse water sector.

Preparing for El Niño requires close collaboration among local water districts, local government units, national agencies, and other stakeholders. LWUA serves as a central coordinating institution, facilitating the timely and essential exchange of information, technical expertise, and operational guidance so that local utilities can make informed decisions before drought conditions worsen. This collaborative approach strengthens the water sector’s overall readiness and helps ensure that responses are both timely and well-coordinated.

At the end of the day, the value of this approach extends well beyond a single dry season.

By encouraging water districts to integrate risk assessments, contingency planning, and climate resilience into their regular operations, LWUA helps build stronger and more adaptive local utilities. These capabilities not only reduce vulnerability to El Niño but also improve preparedness for other climate-related events that may affect water supply in the years ahead.

Ultimately, preparing for El Niño is both all about responding to weather forecasts as well as building a culture of resilience across the entire water sector.

As climate change continues to intensify droughts and increase uncertainty, proactive planning becomes just as important as infrastructure investments. By helping water districts anticipate risks, strengthen their operational readiness, and coordinate effective responses, LWUA is advancing the current administration’s vision of long-term water security for every Filipino.

Because when the next El Niño arrives, the fullest measure of success will not be how quickly institutions react-but how well they prepared before the drought hit.

THE House Committee on Information and Communications Technology (ICT) has approved a substitute measure for the proposed No Call and No Text Registration System Act, aimed at protecting mobile phone and email users from unsolicited digital communications.

Camarines Sur Rep. Miguel Luis Villafuerte, the committee chairman, said the panel approved the still unnumbered substitute bill before the sine die adjournment of the 20th Congress. The measure was crafted by a Technical Working Group (TWG) from four similar bills seeking to shield users from spam calls, texts, and emails.

‘The House ICT committee had passed a consolidated bill aimed at protecting consumers from unsolicited voice calls and text messages, giving them the freedom to choose their transactions and guarantee their right to be left alone,’ Villafuerte said.

The TWG merged four proposals into a single measure designed to curb intrusive communications promoting goods, services, and solicitations.

The approved bill has been referred to the House Committee on Appropriations to determine funding requirements before it is submitted to the plenary for final approval.

Under the measure, the National Privacy Commission (NPC) will establish registries for ‘No Calls,’ ‘No Text Messages,’ and ‘No Electronic Mails,’ with strict safeguards to protect users’ identities and personal information. Only phone numbers and email addresses will be accessible in the system.

Access to the registry will require prior registration with the NPC.

The bill also introduces a ‘negative option’ feature, allowing users to opt out of receiving unsolicited calls, texts, or emails. This option must be made available by callers or senders at the start of a call or at the beginning of a message.

Users who are not registered may still manage and limit unsolicited communications through this feature.

The measure defines prohibited communications as hoax, junk, or scam messages, including notices claiming recipients have won prizes in contests they did not join; messages allegedly from relatives abroad requesting load for a ‘new’ roaming number; and messages asking recipients to send personal details to unknown numbers.

Violators may face penalties without prejudice to civil, criminal, or administrative liabilities that may be imposed by the NPC.

The bill allows users to report unwanted calls or messages and register the details of offending individuals, companies, or organizations, making them liable for subsequent violations.

Once a recipient opts out, the caller or sender must immediately cease further communication and refrain from any attempt to persuade the recipient.

The measure does not cover legitimate communications related to billing, collections, or account updates, subject to existing laws and Bangko Sentral (BSP) regulations.