Category: Business Mirror

The low-pressure area east of Southern Luzon has developed into a Tropical Depression and is now threatening to bring hazards in land areas and coastal waters in the region, the state weather bureau said.

Paolo, the 16th weather disturbance to affect the country, is less likely to directly affect the weather conditions in the next 24 hours but it is expected to bring heavy rains on Friday, threatening Northern Luzon and portions of Central Luzon.

According to the weather bureau, the eye of the storm was spotted 760 km East of Virac, Catanduanes, and is moving westward at 25 km/h.

It is packing maximum sustained winds of 45 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 55 km/h.

‘Wind Signal No. 1 may be hoisted over the eastern sections of Northern and Central Luzon as early as this afternoon or evening. The highest Wind Signal that will likely be hoisted throughout its passage is Wind Signal No. 3. However, since the possibility of reaching typhoon category before landfall is not ruled out, the worst case scenario is Wind Signal No. 4.,’ the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in its 11 a.m. Tropical Cyclone Bulletin.

Risk of coastal flooding

‘There is a potential risk of coastal flooding due to storm surge in low-lying coastal areas of Northern and Central Luzon due to the passage of Paolo,’ PAGASA said.

Paolo may also bring moderate to rough seas over the coastal waters of Northern and Central Luzon starting Friday.

Paolo is forecast to move generally west-northwestward for the entire forecast period.

Paolo may make landfall over Isabela or northern Aurora on Friday morning or afternoon.

PAGASA said a further southward shift of the track is possible depending on the strength of the high-pressure area to the north of Paolo.

Paolo will continue to intensify while over the Philippine Sea and may reach severe tropical storm or typhoon category by Friday morning.

AT least 62 people were killed and 201 were injured in the 6.9 magnitude earthquake that hit northern Cebu on Tuesday night, the Cebu Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office said.

‘We have confirmed the death of 62, and we are still verifying reports coming. We have a report that says 201 persons were injured,’ Patricia Vasaya, monitoring officer at PDRRMO, said.

Many of the victims were rushed to the Bogo City Hospital, which recorded 30 deaths as of 2 p.m.

The Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) said rescue, retrieval and relief operations are on-going, with the hope of saving lives. Tuesday night’s temblor is the strongest earthquake that hit Northern Cebu in history.

Owing to the Magnitude 6.9 earthquake, the provincial government of Cebu declared a state of calamity. In line with this, a price ceiling on agricultural commodities is in effect, as mandated by Republic Act 7581 or ‘The Price Act.’

Among those killed were rescuers deployed by the Coast Guard (PCG).

Seaman Second Class Lawrence Palomo, Apprentice Seaman (ASN) Jujay Mahusay, and ASN Ert Cart Dacunes, were killed following the collapse of the San Remegio Sports Complex in San Remegio, Cebu, during the earthquake.

DSWD sends relief items

THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Wednesday reported that more than 27,000 families across 42 barangays have been affected by the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck Cebu on Tuesday.

Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian said the number of affected families is expected to rise as assessments continue as he assured Cebuanos that their immediate needs, including food and water, will be promptly addressed.

‘While there is much work to be done for recovery, President Marcos instructed us to prioritize the immediate needs of affected families. Relief efforts will focus first on what they need now,’ he said during his rounds in Bogo City, one of the hardest-hit areas.

Fresh from overseeing relief operations in Masbate, which was also recently struck by Typhoon Opong, the DSWD chief supervised the distribution of family food packs (FFPs), marking the agency’s initial wave of assistance for quake victims. Boxes of FFPs were immediately dispatched to Bogo City, with additional aid expected to support ongoing relief operations. Ready-to-eat food (Rtef) boxes, containing meals requiring minimal preparation, are also set to be distributed.

The DSWD currently maintains a stockpile of over 300,000 FFPs at the Visayas Disaster Resource Center (VDRC) in Mandaue City. In addition to food aid, the Department will deploy disaster response vehicles and equipment, including mobile command centers, mobile kitchens, water treatment units, and tanker trucks.

‘All of these will arrive by 6:00 p.m. Wednesday,’ Gatchalian said.

In terms of cash assistance, Gatchalian assured the provincial local government of Cebu that the DSWD’s Field Office 7-Central Visayas will provide cash aid under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program. Benefits under AICS include medical assistance to the injured locals and burial assistance for families who lost their loved ones from the powerful quake.

The department is also preparing psychosocial interventions to help the affected families and individuals deal with the trauma caused by the late Tuesday night earthquake.

For the recovery phase, the DSWD chief said the agency will provide emergency cash assistance (ECT) as soon as the clean list of beneficiaries is provided by the concerned local governments (LGU).

‘These cash transfers allow families to prioritize their own needs, whether it’s rebuilding homes or restoring livelihoods,’ Gatchalian explained.

Gatchalian has instructed all DSWD Field Offices to be on standby and their personnel ready to be deployed to augment the manpower and resources of Field Office-Central Visayas.

The department also said it will provide burial assistance to families of those who died as a result of the earthquake.

Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao of the DSWD’s Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) said the agency’s field office in Central Visayas will also provide P10,000 cash assistance to the families who lost their loved ones.

First in history

THE earthquake occurred at exactly 9:59 p.m., the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said. The epicenter of the Offshore Northern Cebu Earthquake, with a depth of five kilometers, was traced in Bogo City, Cebu.

It generated an Intensity VII ground-shaking event in the City of Bogo, and the towns of Daanbantayan, Medellin, San Remigio and Tabuelan, while Intensity VI was also in Murcia, Negros Occidental; as well as Bantayan, Borbon, Catmon and Sogod, also in Cebu province.

John Deximo, Senior Science Specialist at Phivolcs, said the agency will deploy a quick response team to conduct an assessment of the damage caused by the earthquake. He said the strong earthquake, which was triggered by movements in a local offshore fault, is a first in Cebu.

‘This [earthquake] is a first in northern Cebu. We are calling it the Offshore Northern Cebu Earthquake. This is the first time that a strong earthquake was recorded in northern Cebu. We are still gathering information. From what we see in the social media posts, we have moderate to heavy damage in structures, buildings and infrastructure, so we will deploy immediate QRT from our team to assess local governments,’ Deximo, a seismologist, said.

He said outside Cebu, the event is expected to affect other provinces in Central Visayas, and other nearby provinces in Luzon and Mindanao.

‘We will have to assess the damage and will refine the reported intensities,’ he said.

Deximo said the QRT will be deployed within the day, and they are expected to assess the damage in buildings, roads, bridges, and investigate geohazards such as liquefaction and landslides, and come up with recommendations for possible evacuation and putting up of an evacuation center where affected communities will be safe.

The Phivolcs Earthquake Information on the Offshore Northern Cebu Earthquake reported that Intensity V was felt in Cataingan, Esperanza, and Pio V. Corpuz, in Masbate; City of Cadiz, Hinigaran, Moises Padilla, City of San Carlos, San Enrique, City of Sipalay and Toboso Negros Occidental; Dauis, City of Tagbilaran, and Talibon, in Bohol; Alcoy, Argao, Asturias, Carmen, Compostela, Consolacion, Dalaguete, Danao City, Liloan, Oslob, Samboan, San Fernando, and Santander, in Cebu; Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City,

Almeria, Biliran, Cabucgayan, Caibiran, Culaba, Kawayan, Maripipi, and Naval in Biliran; Abuyog, Alangalang, Albuera, Babatngon, Barugo, Bato, City of Baybay, Burauen, Calubian, Capoocan, Carigara, Dagami, Dulag, Hilongos, Hindang, Inopacan, Isabel, Jaro, Javier, Julita, Kananga, La Paz, Leyte, Macarthur, Matag-Ob, Matalom, Mayorga, Merida, Palo, Palompon, Pastrana, San Isidro, San Miguel, Santa Fe, Tabango, Tabontabon, Tanauan, Tolosa, Tunga, and Villaba, Leyte; Ormoc City and Tacloban City.

The earthquake was also strongly felt in areas as far as Albay, Negros Oriental, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Southern Leyte, Zamboanga del Norte, and Camiguin province.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Center (NDRRMC) also reported three related incidents in Central Luzon, including a landslide, a structural fire, and the collapse of infrastructure.

So far, 22 damaged infrastructures have been recorded, including one road section and five bridge sections.

The NDRRMC said eight cities and towns experienced power interruption.

At least 46 cities and towns in Central Visayas have already cancelled classes, while four cities and municipalities declared work suspension because of the earthquake.

President Marcos ordered concerned government agencies to deploy immediate aid and emergency funds in the areas in the island province.

Hours after the quake hit, Social Welfare Secretary Rexlon T. Gatchalian, Public Works Secretary Vivencio B. Dizon, Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina A. Roque flew to the province to coordinate government support, according to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).

Marcos also directed the Department of Health (DOH) to check the status of the personnel of the medical facilities, which are near the affected areas so they can assist the quake victims.

‘Doctors, nurses, and staff of the DOH Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center [VSMMC] and the DOH Cebu South Medical Center [CSMC] have reported back on their safety. They are now deploying medical teams to nearby areas, especially in Bogo City itself,’ PCO said.

PCO said the Department of the Interior and Local Government has also mobilized personnel of the Bureau of Fire Protection and the National Police (PNP) to help search and rescue operations as well as to prevent looting and maintain order.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said it has P379 million in standby funds and has 2.4 million boxes of family food packs (FFPs) prepositioned nationwide which can be tapped to provide relief to the affected areas.

Of the food packs, 300,000 are spread all over Cebu and ready for immediate distribution, Gatchalian said.

For its part, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said the agencies which are responding to the recent disaster may use their Quick Response Funds (QRF) to provide urgent relief and recovery initiatives.

It noted that agencies may seek replenishment from the DBM once their QRF balance has been reduced to at least 50 percent.

The Department of Health (DOH) has deployed medical teams to Bogo City, Cebu following the magnitude 6.9 earthquake on Tuesday night.

Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said that the first batch of the emergency response team came from Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) in Cebu City.

In addition, the DOH Cebu South Medical Center (CSMC) on Wednesday has also deployed medical teams not only in Bogo City but in nearby areas.

The DOH Centers for Health Development (CHDs-regional offices) in Central and Eastern Visayas have reported back and are now coordinating with their regional counterparts of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), Herbosa said.

Meanwhile, the Red Cross (PRC) has mobilized its ambulances from Cebu, Bogo, and Masbate to assist those affected by the earthquake.

The PRC said that its volunteers continue to respond on the scene to provide essential medical care.a

Matteo Malucelli of XDS-Astana stamped his class. He won Stage 1 of the PETRONAS Le Tour de Langkawi 2025 (PLTdL25) in Kuah this morning.

?The PLTdL24 Sprint King, who joined Astana earlier this year after not extending his contract with JCL UKYO – held off the challenges of second-place finisher and PLTdL22 Sprint King, Erland Blikra from Uno-X Mobility and PLTdL23 Sprint King, Arvid Kleijn (Tudor Racing Team).

The large group finished the ride in 2 hours and 22 seconds, granting Malucelli a 10-second bonus, which also allowed him to take the green jersey as the overall leader sponsored by PETRONAS, and 15 points to head the Sprint King points tally and claim the orange jersey sponsored by the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS).

Meanwhile, Terengganu Cycling Team (TSG) rider Muhammad Nur Aiman Rosli also made strides in the General Classification (GC) when he grabbed a 7-second bonus after dominating two intermediate sprint zones at Harbour Park and Padang Matsirat, in addition to a third place in the second sprint zone at Bayas. This effort earned him the white jersey sponsored by Rakan Muda as the Best Asian Rider.

?St George Continental rider, Ben Carman, who broke away as they approached the sole Category 4 climb zone at Bukit Malut 16km before the finish, claimed the polka dot jersey as King of the Mountains sponsored by BubblesO2.

?For Malucelli, who won Stages 2, 7, and 8 of PLTdL24, this victory in Stage 1 of PLTdL25 is a joyous occasion and provides great motivation for the remaining 7 stages.

‘I was comfortable throughout the ride, and as we approached the finish line, my teammate (Anton) Kuzmin pulled me forward, but I was still watching (Alexander) Kristoff (Uno-X Mobility). But when Kristoff slowed down and Blikra started to accelerate, I also began my sprint in the last 300 meters and finally won.

?’Being in a WorldTeam gives me more confidence, especially since I felt comfortable and calm throughout the race. Winning the first stage and wearing the leader’s jersey gives me confidence, but I know the responsibility is getting bigger. However, we will stay focused and concentrate day by day because there are many more stages to come,’ said the 31-year-old rider who also won stages at the Tour of Presidential Turkiye and Tour of Hainan this year.

??Meanwhile, Nur Aiman, who is also this year’s national road and individual time trial champion, proved he is more prepared in his third appearance at PLTdL25.

?’The coach told me to try to make a breakaway, and that’s what I did. I’m happy with the white jersey (Best Asian Rider) and the second position in the GC. I have confidence and hope to do something even bigger for the team in Stage 3 (Gerik-Pasir Puteh),’ he said, referring to the three early climb zones before the long flat route after crossing the Titiwangsa Range.

Although the race started in the rain with a total of 129 riders, the pace turned aggressive when Unibet-Tietema Rockets rider Aiden Maire initiated a break after 30km, and he was joined by Nur Aiman, George Mitsui (Aisan Racing Team) and Nate Hadden (St George) to form a small leading group.

?This group was only 1 minute 50 seconds ahead before the peloton, driven by the Astana, Tudor and Uno-X teams, chased and caught them immediately after passing the third sprint zone.

Carman’s brief breakaway allowed him to conquer the easy Category 4 climb zone at Bukit Malut, before he was caught. Although one or two riders attempted a late break, the script for the Stage 1 finish still ended with a bunch sprint to the finish line.

?One rider from the KSPO team, Lee Hosan, failed to complete the first stage and is out of the competition, further complicating matters for the South Korean Continental team which only fielded five riders this time.

?Stage 2 of PLTdL25 will start in Padang Besar, Perlis to Kepala Batas, Penang tomorrow, covering a distance of 166.1km and it is once again expected to end with a bunch sprint to the finish line on Jalan Tun Hamdan Sheikh Tahir.

?Without any climb zones, three intermediate sprint zones in Jitra (km54.0), Pendang (km90) and Sungai Petani (km142.9) will see fierce competition for the green jersey, the orange jersey and the white jersey.

A good night’s sleep just got better. Global sleep solutions brand Serta, in partnership with OUR HOME, unveiled the new Perfect Spine Collection at SM Megamall, treating guests and shoppers to a day dedicated to comfort, wellness, and the science of better sleep.

The launch was more than a product showcase-it was an experience. Attendees explored the collection through hands-on demonstrations and sleep consultations, with many taking advantage of the exclusive one-day promo of 50% OFF.

Perfect Balance for Restorative Sleep

What makes this collection stand out is its unique balance of firm support and plush comfort, designed to cradle the body while keeping the spine properly aligned. Unlike ordinary mattresses, the Perfect Spine Collection was developed with restorative sleep in mind-helping people wake up feeling recharged and ready for the day.

To highlight just how important sleep is to everyday life, Dr. John Andrew M. Yam, MD joined the celebration and shared:

‘Sleep is essential to our overall well-being. The right mattress can transform the way we rest, directly influencing our health, focus, and even our mood.’

Partnership for Better Living

Known worldwide as ‘The World’s Best Mattress,’ Serta continues to set the standard for premium sleep. With decades of innovation and trust behind it, the brand has become synonymous with comfort, durability, and thoughtful design-making it the top choice for millions of sleepers around the globe.

Now, through its partnership with OUR HOME, Serta is bringing world-class comfort-and its promise of better sleep-closer to Filipino homes.

With 33 stores nationwide, OUR HOME continues to bring global style into Filipino homes with great design and great prices.

Florante at Laura, a cutting-edge ballet version of this still relevant and timely story about love, heroism, and patriotism, returns for a second run at the Aliw Theater stage on October 3 to 5, 2025 with live orchestral music performed by the Orchestra of the Filipino Youth (OFY).

Presented in celebration of Ballet Manila’s 30th Anniversary, this restaging of National Artist Ryan Cayabyab’s original composition offers a powerful collaboration of classical music, ballet, and timeless Filipino literature set to music by the OFY, composed of 60 musicians under the baton of conductor Toma Cayabyab.

This landmark production first premiered in 2024 with thechoreography of Gerardo Francisco Jr. and Martin Lawrance and the artistic direction of Lisa Macuja Elizalde. to sold-outaudiences and wide critical acclaim. Inspired by Francisco Balagtas’ epic poem, Ryan Cayabyab gifted his original music for Florante at Laura to the OFY, a testament to his continued support of Filipino youth and excellence in music.

It was composed with OFY in mind as its premiere orchestra, making the young musicians not just performers, but the very heart of the musical journey. This 2025, audiences will once again witness Ballet Manila’s choreography matched by the live performance of the OFY.

More than its restaging, this season also marks the digital releaseof the official music of Florante at Laura. It was professionally recorded by the OFY under the baton of Maestro Gerard Salonga at Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (CCP Black Box Theater). The album will be available on Spotify, Apple Music, and other major streaming platforms starting October 1, 2025, bringing the spirit of the stage to listeners around the world.

San Juan and Rizal Province closed their elimination round campaigns with victories over also-ran teams on Monday in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League at the Marikina Sports Center.

The San Juan Knights trounced the Marikina Shoemasters, 78-61, to improve their win-loss record to 26-3 and finish No. 3 in the North Division behind the Abra Weavers (27-1) and the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards (27-2).

Rizal subdued Bacolod, 78-72, for a 19-10 record and third spot in the South Division led by Quezon (25-4) and Batangas City (19-10).

Arvin Gamboa scored 18, while Orlan Wamar had 10 points and nine assists for the Knights.

Karl Penano and Jay Yutuc each had 12 points for Marikina, which exited with a 4-25 record.

Michael Canete scored 14 points, while Alwyn Alday had 11 points for Rizal.

Bacolod bowed out with a 7-22 slate. John Lemuel Pastias scored 15 points, while Jan Gabriel Sobrenega and Aldave Canoy had 12 points each.

THE growth of the country’s export earnings continued to slow in August 2025, according to the latest data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

Based on the International Merchandise Trade Statistics of the Philippines, the country’s exports grew 4.6 percent to $7.06 billion in August 2025 from the $6.75 billion posted in the same period last year.

It can be noted that after peaking at 26.9 percent in June 2025, export earnings slowed to 17.6 percent in July and posted single-digit growth in August.

‘The year-to-date total value of exports, that is from January to August 2025, amounted to $55.7 billion. This represents an annual increase of 12.6 percent from the year-to-date total export value of $49.45 billion in January to August 2024,’ the PSA said.

The commodities that posted contractions in August were copra oil cake or meal which contracted 71.9 percent in August, followed by unmanufactured tobacco at 67.8 percent; other products manufactured from materials imported on consignment basis, 63.4 percent; copper concentrates, 62.5 percent; and other fruits and vegetables, 62.4 percent.

Commodities that posted the fastest growth in August were led by other forest products which surged 200.3 percent; gold, 153.4 percent; footwear, 127.2 percent; iron and steel, 91.2 percent; and desiccated coconut, 89.9 percent.

‘The commodity group with the highest annual increment in the value of exports in August 2025 was electronic products with $303.79 million. This was followed by gold with an annual increase of $160.37 million, and other mineral products with an annual increment of $112.09 million,’ the PSA stated.

Further, PSA said electronic products remained the country’s top exports in August 2025 with total earnings of $3.87 billion or 54.8 percent of the country’s total exports during the period.

The data showed this was followed by other mineral products with an export value of $384.26 million, accounting for 5.4 percent of the total; and machinery and transport equipment with $363.65 million, or 5.1 percent of total export earnings.

Import receipts

Meanwhile, the country’s import receipts amounted to $10.6 billion, indicating an annual decrement of 4.9 percent from the $11.15 billion import value in the same month of the previous year.

In July 2025 and August 2024, the PSA said that the country’s import value recorded annual increases of 5.8 percent and 2.9 percent, respectively.

In August 2025, the PSA said the commodity group with the highest annual decrement in the value of imported goods was mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials with $611.83 million.

This was followed by metalliferous ores and metal scrap, which decreased by $168.7 million, and cereals and cereal preparations with an annual decline of $86.15 million.

‘The year-to-date total import value from January to August 2025 amounted to $88.08 billion. This represents an annual increment of 5.1 percent from the year-to-date total import value of $83.78 billion in January to August 2024,’ the PSA said.

China top export market, import source

Meanwhile, the PSA said the country’s top export market and import source for August 2025 was China.

In terms of exports, Hong Kong, China was the country’s top export destination with an export value amounting to $1.19 billion or a share of 16.9 percent to the country’s total exports in August 2025.

Other top export partners for the month were the United States of America (USA), $1.09 billion or 15.4 percent of the total; Japan, $979.00 million, 13.9 percent; People’s Republic of China, $849.32 million, 12 percent; and Republic of China (Taiwan), $292.18 million or 4.1 percent of total exports.

In terms of import source, the People’s Republic of China was the country’s largest supplier of imported goods valued at $3.19 billion or 30.1 percent of the country’s total imports in August 2025.

Other import sources included Republic of Korea with an import value worth $848.93 million or 8 percent of total imports; Indonesia, $838.78 million or 7.9 percent of total; Japan, $731.06 million or 6.9 percent of total; and USA, $698.41 million or 6.6 percent of the total.

In the aftermath of the recent typhoons that deeply affected many communities and left countless Filipinos striving to recover, the ALC Group of Companies once again showed its commitment to community service. On September 25, 2025, the company turned over cash donations and relief goods to Caritas Manila, Inc. in a simple ceremony at the Caritas Manila Compound in Pandacan, Manila.

Representing the ALC Group were the children of ALC Group Chairman D. Edgard A. Cabangon-Giannina Eunice A. Cabangon, Isuzu Gencars Operations Executive; Dannica Nicole A. Cabangon, Eternal Group Operations Executive; and Antonio Carlos G. Cabangon, Special Assistant to the Chairman of Aliw Broadcasting Corp. They personally handed the donations to Caritas Manila’s Executive Director, Rev. Fr. Antonio Cecilio T. Pascual, symbolizing the Group’s collective effort to stand with affected communities in their time of need.

The donations form part of the ALC Bayanihan Program, a company-wide initiative that brings together the management and employees of the ALC Group to extend assistance to those impacted by calamities. Beyond immediate relief, the program is designed to support rehabilitation and rebuilding efforts, ensuring that affected families can move forward with renewed strength and hope.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Dannica Nicole A. Cabangon shared: ‘Growing up, we witnessed how our grandfather, Ambassador Antonio L. Cabangon Chua, and our father, D. Edgard A. Cabangon, always made it a point to extend help to our fellow Filipinos. Inspired by their example, our generation is committed to carrying on this legacy of malasakit through initiatives that bring hope and support to those in need.’

This is not the first time the ALC Group has extended support to Caritas Manila. In previous years, the Group donated Isuzu Traviz utility vans, along with cash and in-kind contributions, to reinforce Caritas Manila’s programs for the poor and marginalized.

Founded by the late Ambassador Antonio L. Cabangon Chua and now chaired by D. Edgard A. Cabangon, the ALC Group continues to uphold its founder’s principle: that true success in business must go hand in hand with service to the community.

Celebrating a decade of digital marketing innovation, the Digital Marketing Association of the Philippines (DMAP), the leading organization known for its excellence and innovation in digital marketing, will set the stage for unlocking the next evolution of customer engagement at the 10th edition of the annual Digital Congress (DigiCon), with the theme, ‘The Age of ‘i’: The Power of Personalization,’ to be held on October 16 to 17, 2025, at the Manila Marriott Hotel, Pasay City, Metro Manila.

Now in its 10th year, the major digital convention will gather global and local industry experts, thought leaders, and technology pioneers to explore the complexities of personalization in an AI-driven world, unlocking strategies for scalable and impactful connections.

DigiCon ‘The Age of ‘i’ 2025 will offer attendees opportunities to learn, interact, and collaborate through five focused tracks:

Innovation (AI)

Intelligence (Data Science)

Immersive (Retail and Activations)

Impact (Brand Building)

Integration (Business Transformation)

These tracks, along with various practical and immersive activities, aim to enable attendees to explore the latest trends and emerging technologies in personalized marketing, fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration among industry professionals.

‘We are entering an era where personalization is paramount. This year’s theme, ‘The Age of ‘i,’ celebrates the transformative power of technology to create unique, meaningful connections with customers. In this rapidly evolving digital landscape, brands must navigate how to cultivate personal experiences in a connected world, driving stronger brand loyalty and effective customer experience. DMAP DigiCon 2025 will be the destination to empower digital marketers to navigate this era and explore the future of personalized experiences,’ DigiCon 2025 Chair Alan Fontanilla said.

Delegates of this year’s event will also get the opportunity to obtain program certifications in partnership with the Certified Digital Marketer (CDM). This initiative aligns with DMAP’s mission to future-proof the industry by providing crucial insights and skills, empowering marketers to stay ahead of the curve in the digital age amid evolving consumer behaviors and rapid technological shifts.

‘Filipinos are even more connected and are changing their habits digitally, so digital marketers must possess new levels of expertise and adaptability. DMAP is committed to leading the industry in navigating this complex landscape, providing the critical insights and skills necessary to thrive in an era of hyper-personalization. We continue to strive towards fostering an ecosystem where innovation thrives, and where professionals are equipped to shape the future of digital engagement,’ DMAP President Miko David said.

Building on past successes, DigiCon The Age of ‘i’ 2025 expects to attract over 2,000 attendees from various sectors, including marketing, advertising, business, academia, media, and innovation.

THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Tuesday said that it has taken into custody an alleged underwater Chinese drone recovered by local fishermen in Palawan waters over the weekend.

‘On Sept. 28, 2025, fishermen from Sitio Tapic, Brgy. New Colaylayan, Linapacan, discovered the approximately 12-foot-long device during routine fishing operations. Later that evening, they turned the AUV [autonomous underwater vehicle] over to Coast Guard personnel,’ it added.

The maritime law enforcement agency also stressed that this alleged UAV had been safely transported and secured at PCG Station Linapacan for further verification, technical examination, and investigation, in coordination with relevant national security agencies.

‘This incident highlights ongoing illegal marine scientific research in Philippine waters, amid a pattern of similar events involving foreign-origin autonomous AUVs,’ it added.

Preliminary observations show that the device features a Conductivity-Temperature-Depth (CTD) sensor-a compact probe designed to measure seawater salinity, temperature, and depth, which are key parameters for oceanographic profiling.

The sensor includes Chinese labeling (”) and a serial number (CTD-20090334), along with visible corrosion from prolonged saltwater exposure. It is mounted on a rugged metal frame, typical of components in autonomous underwater vehicles commonly known as ‘underwater drones.’

This recovery fits into a series of similar incidents in Philippine waters dating back to July 2022, including devices found in Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte (July 2022); off the Zambales coast (September 2022); Calayan Island, Cagayan (August 2024); Initao, Misamis Oriental (October 2024); and San Pascual, Masbate (December 2024).

At least three of those prior recoveries have been linked to Chinese deployment, based on evidence such as China Telecom SIM cards, iridium transceivers connected to Beijing-based HWA Create (a defense contractor), and battery packs marked by China Electronics Technology Group Corporation.

Previous forensic analyses of similar recovered AUVs have identified them as tools for advanced underwater surveillance and seafloor mapping.

The integrated CTD sensor allows for the collection of data on salinity, temperature gradients, depth, and acoustic propagation-essential for bathymetric charting and environmental monitoring. Recovered units have shown capabilities for autonomous data processing, storage, and satellite transmission, with one case revealing encrypted communications to mainland China during operations.

‘The PCG remains vigilant in safeguarding our maritime domain and protecting the livelihoods of our fisherfolk,’ PCG commandant, Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan, said.

‘We commend the quick action of the local fishermen for reporting this find. This incident highlights the need for continued community awareness and a whole-of-nation approach to deter unauthorized activities in our waters,’ he added.

The device is undergoing detailed forensic examination to determine its exact origin, operational history, and potential security risks.

The public is urged to report any suspicious maritime objects to the nearest Coast Guard station.