Category: Business Mirror

BOTOLAN, Zambales-Storm-related deaths in the province of Zambales has now reached a total of 14, following the recovery on Thursday, September 3, of the body of a drowning victim in this town, an Aeta minor whose father also died in the same accident.

Authorities said Simeon Candule, 35, and his seven-year-old son were going home to Barangay Palis on Tuesday afternoon, September 1, when their carabao-drawn cart overturned due to strong river current at Barangay Malomboy east of Palis.

The body of Candule was recovered the following day near the accident site by a team from the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO). That of his son was retrieved two days later by Philippine Coast Guard searchers near the Bucao River delta, some 15 kilometers away from the site of accident.

The 12 other deaths recorded since August also resulted from drowning.

On August 13, the body of Eddie Bonus Garcia, 20, was spotted at the Burgos River in San Antonio, Zambales. He was first reported missing days before from his residence at Barangay Balaybay in the neighboring town of Castillejos.

On August 25, Jasper Rosales, 20, of Barangay Burgos in San Antonio, reportedly crossed the Pamatawan River with cousin Darwin Milo to gather vegetables but were overwhelmed by strong current. Milo survived. Rosales’s body was found the following day along the shoreline of the beach community of San Miguel.

The biggest tragedy happened on August 27 when a group of Aetas was crossing the Mapanuepe Lake in San Marcelino town on a motorboat.

The bodies of six drowning victims-three adults and three children-were immediately retrieved right after their boat capsized. Two more victims, both minor, were fished out of the lake two days later.

The ninth victim, identified as 26-year-old Arlene Liwanag, who was pregnant, was also found in the lake on August 30, three days after the accident.

Meanwhile, a three-year-old boy was swept away into river at Barangay Old Cabalan in Olongapo City on August 29, when raging floodwaters from a collapsed wall entered their house and broke his parents’ grip on him. The boy’s body was the following day along the shore in the Subic Bay Freeport, about 12 kilometers from his home.

Zambales is among the provinces Luzon that bore the brunt of monsoon rains since August, with the 24-hour accumulated rainfall over the Zambales region reaching up 200 millimeters, said Dr. Mahar Lagmay, executive director of Project NOAH, or the Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards.

Lagmay said in a September 4 post that the record accumulated rainfall, which originates in the area around Mount Pinatubo, ‘represents roughly 276 million cubic meters of rainwater, equivalent to about 112,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools falling over the mountainous region.’

That record volume of rainwater ‘was subsequently conveyed downslope and into low-lying communities across Zambales, Bataan, Pampanga, and Tarlac,’ Lagmay said.

DEFENSE Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. will be taking part in the Seoul Defense Dialogue (SDD) 2026 scheduled from Sept. 7 to 9, highlighting the growing defense ties between the two nations.

In a statement on Friday, Department of National Defense (DND) spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arsenio Andolong said Teodoro is scheduled to deliver remarks during Plenary Session 1: ‘Collaborative Architecture for International Stability.’

This marks Teodoro’s second consecutive participation in the SDD, following his attendance at the 2025 Dialogue.

On the sidelines of the Dialogue, Andolong said the DND chief will hold a bilateral meeting with South Korean Minister of National Defense Ahn Gyuback to discuss areas of mutual interest and further strengthen the longstanding defense and security partnership between the two countries.

The Philippines and South Korea share longstanding defense ties forged during the Korean War, when Filipino soldiers served alongside United Nations forces.

‘Secretary Teodoro’s participation underscores the Philippines’ commitment to strengthening defense partnerships, advancing regional cooperation, and promoting a peaceful, secure, and stable Indo-Pacific, in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s direction to advance the country’s defense engagements,’ Andolong said.

Hosted annually by South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense, the SDD is a premier multilateral security forum that brings together defense ministers, senior officials, military leaders, experts, and other stakeholders to discuss pressing regional and global security concerns.

PHILIPPINE business sentiment turned pessimistic in July 2026 amid renewed concerns over tensions in the Middle East, higher oil prices, and persistent inflationary pressures, according to the central bank’s Business Expectations Survey (BES).

Results of the survey showed that firms’ confidence index (CI) turned negative in July, at -20.3 percent, from neutral or 0 percent in June.

A negative CI means that more respondents are pessimistic than optimistic about the economy, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) explained.

The survey noted that the pessimistic outlook in July was attributed to renewed tensions, higher oil prices amid disruptions in fuel shipments through the Strait of Hormuz and persistent inflationary pressures.

Meanwhile, firms said they experienced tighter financial conditions in July, with the Financial Conditions Index plunging further to -31.4 percent in July compared to the -26.8 percent in June.

The central bank said financial condition refers to the firm’s general cash position considering the level of cash and other cash items and repayment terms on loans.

Businesses also experienced tighter credit access, with the index declining to -7 percent in July from -5.7 percent in June.

Access to credit refers to the availability of credit in the banking system and other financial institutions.

Three- and twelve-month outlook

The survey revealed that firms turned less optimistic over the three- and twelve-month horizon.

Firms were less optimistic about October 2026 or three months since this survey was conducted due to the continued geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, rising fuel costs and weaker investor sentiment.

The survey showed that firms’ confidence index for the three-month outlook plunged to 3.7 percent in July from the 18.8 percent in June.

Businesses also turned less optimistic about their outlook 12 months from the survey was conducted, or by July 2027, due to concerns over the economic impact of a ‘protracted’ Middle East conflict, lower growth prospects due to elevated energy prices and less upbeat investor confidence due to governance-related issues.

The survey showed that firms’ confidence index for the 12-month outlook declined to 29.4 percent in July from 42.4 percent in June.

Economic prospects

According to the survey, employment prospects were less favorable as the share of businesses planning to hire more workers over the next 12 months declined.

In contrast, the share of industry firms intending to expand operations increased.

Firms also expect inflation in the next 12 months to average at 5.6 percent, exceeding the central bank’s 4-percent tolerance ceiling.

Businesses expecting higher inflation cited the following concerns: more oil price hikes and uncertain timeline for the resolution of the Middle East conflict.

The BSP said it continues to monitor the economic implications of developments in the Middle East, particularly their impact on business and consumer sentiment, as well as household and corporate spending and investment decisions.

‘Business and consumer sentiment are among the data points that the BSP considers in setting monetary policy,’ the central bank said in its statement on Friday.

According to BSP, the July 2026 BES was conducted from July 7 to 31,2026. There were 506 firms surveyed nationwide, consisting of 193 companies in the National Capital Region (NCR) and 313 firms in areas outside the NCR, covering all 18 regions across the country.

DESPITE the death of two Filipino seafarers, from a ‘security incident’ in the Strait of Hormuz earlier this week, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said it will not impose a blanket deployment ban in the waterway.

Instead, DMW Secretary Hans J. Cacdac said the government will continue to respect the right to refuse to sail of Filipino sailors onboard ships that will pass through the dangerous waters.

‘We are disallowing deployment to the extent there is refusal to sail by seafarers,’ he said in a hastily called online press conference last Wednesday.

He said the decision was in recognition of the economic challenges faced by the maritime industry from the ongoing tension in the Strait of Hormuz because of the ongoing war between the United States and Iran.

To reduce the risk of Filipino sailors in the Strait of Hormuz, DMW reminded the owners of their ships to comply with safety regulations.

‘We continue to remind our shipowners to be mindful of the DMW requirements, such as risk assessments, implementing appropriate security protocols, considering vessel escorts where necessary, and complying with reporting requirements and right to refuse sailing,’ Cacdac said.

Last Monday, the Saudi-flagged crude oil tanker SIDR, which was owned by BAHRI, caught fire after it was hit by an unidentified projectile while crossing the Strait of Hormuz.

The crew of the ship was able to contain the fire, but two of its 16 Filipino members died from the incident.

In a press briefing last Thursday, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed his condolences to the families of the Filipino sailors who perished.

‘The President and the administration extend their condolences to the families of the two seafarers from Cabuyao, Laguna, and Daanbantayan, Cebu,’ she said.

She assured the families that the government will provide the necessary aid, compensation, and insurance proceeds to their families.

Cacdac said they are now working to repatriate the remains of the two sailors and the 14 other unharmed Filipino crew members of SIDR through Oman.

Since the Middle East crisis broke on February 28, a total of 31 ships with 421 seafarers have been attacked while passing through the Strait of Hormuz, DMW said.

Of the 421 sailors, 268 were repatriated by the government.

The SM Mall of Asia Arena became the setting for an emotional farewell as Irish rock band Kodaline brought their Farewell Tour to Manila on August 10, giving Filipino fans one final night with the band before they close this chapter of their musical journey.

After more than a decade of making music together, Kodaline announced in October 2025 that they would be saying goodbye as a band. The group also confirmed plans to release a fifth and final album before officially concluding their journey.

A farewell shared with fans

For Filipino fans who had followed Kodaline through the years, the Manila stop became more than another concert. It was a chance to celebrate the songs, memories, and moments that had become part of their lives.

Fans filled the SM MOA Arena, capturing photos, singing along, and making the most of their final opportunity to see the band perform together in Manila.

From the opening number to the final encore, the audience remained engaged as Kodaline revisited songs that have defined their career. The band also took time between performances to thank Filipino fans for their years of support.

An arena for the most intimate gatherings

Known for hosting major international concerts and large-scale productions, the SM MOA Arena took on a more personal atmosphere for Kodaline’s farewell.

Despite the size of the venue, the night felt centered on the connection between the band and its fans. Thousands of voices came together as the audience sang along to some of Kodaline’s most-loved songs, turning the arena into a shared space for one final celebration. Kodaline performed fan favorites including ‘All I Want,’ ‘High Hopes,’ ‘Brother,’ and ‘The One.’

The band performed some of its best-known tracks, including ‘All I Want,’ ‘High Hopes,’ ‘Brother,’ and ‘The One.’ The crowd reached an emotional high during ‘All I Want,’ with thousands of fans singing the lyrics back to the band.

Frontman Steve Garrigan also addressed the audience, expressing gratitude to Filipino fans and reflecting on the support they have received throughout their career.

A final Manila chapter

Kodaline’s farewell tour marks the closing of the band’s journey as a group, but their music continues to connect with listeners who have grown alongside their songs.

For one night at the SM MOA Arena, Filipino fans had the opportunity to celebrate that journey together, surrounded by the music that had brought them to the venue in the first place.

As the final notes faded and the audience began to leave the arena, the evening closed on a fitting note for a band whose music has always centered on connection, memory, and belonging.

For Kodaline and their Filipino fans, it was one final night together in Manila.

Anker introduces Anker MindBase, a local AI hub for the home, an expanded audio lineup featuring its proprietary THUS AI Chip, and new products across charging, home energy, robotics and more

Manila, Philippines. September 4, 2026: Almost 15 years after selling its first battery product,

Anker Innovations today announced that its five brands will be unified under a single name,

Anker. The company also announced new products across charging, audio, home security,

robotics and home energy.

Anker: A Unified Brand for the Next Era

Since its founding in 2011, Anker has grown from a charging company into a global consumer technology company serving more than 200 million customers in over 180 countries and regions. Along the way it built dedicated brands to move faster in distinct categories: Anker for charging, eufy for the smart home, soundcore for audio and entertainment, SOLIX for energy and eufyMake for creative tools. Each built a strong following, and that success is what makes this step possible.

As AI, robotics, local computing and connected systems bring once-separate technologies closer together, the boundaries between those categories are disappearing. Anker is bringing its products and technologies together under one brand to match.

‘Category brands made sense when categories were separate. They no longer are,’ said Steven Yang, Founder and CEO of Anker Innovations. ‘One brand, one promise – Anker Innovation, now unified across everything we make.’

Consolidation also concentrates the company’s brand investment. Anker has been building five brands at once, in every market and against every competitor. One brand puts that investment behind a single name.

Anker will present its products in two groups. Anker For You is the technology that moves through the day with you, covering charging, audio, personal health and creative tools. Anker for Home is the home that takes care of itself, covering home security, robotics and home energy.

The change will be gradual. New products lead the move to the Anker brand and existing products transition over time. Warranty coverage, customer support and service remain unchanged.

Anker For You: The Technology That Moves Through The Day With You

In May, Anker introduced its THUS AI chip, a Neural-Net Compute-in-Memory chip that runs AI processing on the device. Today it expands into a full line of new headphones and earbuds.

The Anker soundcore AeroClip 2 Pro brings the chip to an on-ear clip form factor with best-in-class call quality and adds AI Voice Recording, capturing meetings, phone calls and personal interactions, then transcribing and summarizing lengthy conversations into a succinct summary. The AeroClip 2 shares the same chip and the form factor.

The Space 2 Pro over-ear headphones bring the same best-in-class call quality using the THUS chip and built-in microphones and sensors, with 30 hours of battery life with ANC and 60 hours with ANC off, and plush earcups that keep them comfortable for all-day use.

The Liberty Buds 2 in-ear earbuds feature an 8-sensor array for crystal-clear calls, while 9.2 mm drivers deliver detailed audio for music and video.

Anker has become one of the world’s most popular sleep earbud lines, and today expands that lineup with new earbuds and first bedside speakers.

The Sleep 4 and Sleep 4 Pro built on earlier generations of sleep earbuds to block noise and help users fall asleep and stay asleep. The Sleep 4 Pro adds the world’s first Track-Assess-Adjustment system, monitoring PPG, heart rate and HRV while utilizing BioSync TM data-driven dynamic audio to adjust audio content and help each user find their most effective sleep sounds. A charging case with touchscreen and wireless charging lets users set an alarm, play relaxing sounds and check insights without their phone.

The SleepLab and SleepLab Pro introduce the company’s first pair of sleep-focused bedside speakers. SleepLab plays music and sleep sounds with a soft nightlight and alarm to set the mood for sleep. The SleepLab Pro uses 60 GHz radar for precise sleep sensing, tracking heart rate and breathing, and analyzing the four stages of sleep, then plays tailored audio to help users fall asleep and stay asleep, with no earbuds, ring or monitor required.

Charging is where Anker started, and it introduced three products built around managing power rather than just delivering it.

The Anker MagGo Power Bank Pro 2 is the world’s fastest and coolest wireless powerbank, the first magnetic power bank with a built-in cooling fan, certified by SGS. With 25-watt Qi2.2 magnetic wireless charging, it takes an iPhone 17 Pro to 50% in 25 minutes and recharges itself to 80% in 52 minutes. A patented fan algorithm, dual air ducts and graphene heat spreading keep it below 36 degrees Celsius (96.8F) throughout charging, and a smart display shows real-time power, temperature and time remaining.

The Anker MagStand Charging Station replaces three bedside chargers with one device, combining a 25-watt Max magnetic pad, a retractable cable and a hidden USB-C port. Qi2 25-watt charging with active cooling takes an iPhone 17 Pro to 50% in 22 minutes, while Care Mode paces overnight charging to finish around your alarm. The station displays real-time wattage, temperature and time to full, and adds app-connected personalized screensavers. The Anker Desktop USB-C Hub is the industry’s only dual-display high-refresh-rate hub, supporting up to 240Hz with an integrated 2-inch display showing real-time power, temperature and port status.

The Anker Nano Universal Charger replaces a bag of adapters with built-in international plugs for 200+ countries and regions, charging four devices at once with up to 100W per USB-C port.

Anker for Home: The Home That Takes Care of Itself

Anker introduced Anker MindBaseTM, a local AI hub and Anker’s answer to bringing the truly autonomous home to life. It connects the devices across a home, runs the AI that makes decisions locally and stores the household’s data locally, all in a single system. MindBase is built on three key capabilities: connection, local intelligence and memory.

EasyOmniTM Link connects Anker devices and Matter-compatible products from other brands into one home system, working alongside Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Home Assistant.

TrueSmartTM Agent brings local intelligence to MindBase through dedicated AI agents designed for different areas of the home. These agents run on the built-in AI Core compute card. Examples include the Network-Attached Storage (NAS) Agent and Security Agent.

EverSafeTM Memory provides 48TB of expandable local storage, keeping family photos, recordings and other household data inside the home.

The first product powered by MindBase is the Anker MindBaseTMSecurity Kit. The upcoming Anker eufy TrackLightTM Cam S1 features an auto-tracking light and a 4K telephoto camera, helping the system track and respond to approaching people. The Video Doorbell S4 provides a 180-degree panoramic view, eliminating blind spots. In addition to a range of entry and motion sensors, Smart Security Shield uses advanced 180-degree dual radar to detect the movement of strangers, while DSKey technology allows Smart Security Shield to identify recognized friends and family from up to 30 meters away.

MindBase is designed to work with many existing Anker eufy security cameras and devices. For current HomeBase S380 users, existing footage can be transferred smoothly to the new MindBase hub.

The Anker MindBase Security Kit launches later this year, with pricing to be announced closer to availability. Anker eufy Security also introduced the NVR Security System E50, Video Doorbell S4, Window Camera E10 and Fall Detection Sensor.

Anker eufy announced the launch of a new robot vacuum model and unveiled a new advanced

robot lawn mower.

The Anker eufy Robot Vacuum Omni E35 brings deep cleaning that translates to a healthier home. Built to baby-grade standards, it has earned a TÜV certification as a ‘Maternal and Infant Cleaning Robot’ for bacterial elimination, low noise levels, cleaning performance and self-cleaning capabilities. The Omni E35 is equipped with the HydroJet 2.0 Self Cleaning Roller Mop and 35,000Pa long-lasting suction power to remove dust, dirt, mites and debris from deep within carpets.

A New Chapter for Anker in the Philippines

The ONE ANKER launch marks more than a change in branding. It represents the company’s vision for the next era of consumer technology, one where individual devices work more seamlessly together and technology becomes increasingly intelligent, connected and integrated into everyday life.

For the Philippines, Anker’s unified brand brings together the technologies Filipino consumers have come to know across charging, smart home security, audio, mom and baby under one name.

On September 22, 2026, Anker Philippines officially ushers in this news chapter, bringing ONE ANKER to life and unveiling what’s next for the brand in its growing ecosystem of innovations. One brand. One ecosystem. One promise of innovation. Welcome to ONE ANKER.

TWO victories in the first four legs have put Yvon Bisera firmly in the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour (LPGT) title hunt and the Davao ace is out to make it three when the ICTSI Summit Point Championship unwraps Tuesday at the Summit Point Golf and Country Club in Lipa City.

But for Bisera, the P1-million championship is about more than another LPGT trophy, but also her final major test at home before she makes her maiden appearance on the tough Korean LPGA Tour later this month, making a strong showing at Summit Point even more important to the 2025 Thailand LPGA Masters champion.

‘I want to perform well at Summit Point kasi preparation ko din ‘to going to Korea,’ said Bisera, who is set to compete in the Hana Financial Group Championship from September 17 to 20 in Gyeonggi Province, on Daebudo Island southwest of Seoul.

Bisera has been in impressive form on the LPGT this season.

She outlasted two rivals in a playoff to capture the Lakewood Championship in March, then produced an emphatic seven-shot romp at the Pradera Verde Championship last July.

The victories have established her as one of the tour’s leading contenders heading into the Summit Point showdown.

With her Korean LPGA debut fast approaching, Bisera has used her time between tournaments to fine-tune the part of her game she believes could prove decisive at Summit Point: the short game.

While waiting for her Korean visa documents, the Davaoeña has devoted extra time to sharpening her touch around the greens, particularly with the possibility of strong winds adding another layer of difficulty at the Batangas layout.

‘Focus on my short game because it’s very important at Summit Point, especially when the winds are strong,’ Bisera said.

The focus will be particularly crucial in a 54-hole event where a fast start can provide an early advantage and the ability to stay composed down the stretch could determine the champion.

Bisera, however, is not expecting another runaway performance like the one she produced at Pradera Verde.

‘I really want to win but I know everybody else prepared for this tournament,’ she said. ‘But I will try my best to perform well to gain confidence going to Korea.’

Reigning Order of Merit champion Sarah Ababa leads a compact but formidable field that also features former leg winners Mafy Singson, Tiffany Lee, Chihiro Ikeda and Princess Superal.

Korean challenger Kim Seoyun is likewise expected to figure prominently, along with title-hungry contenders Martina Miñoza, Pamela Mariano, Velinda Castil, Rev Alcantara, Angela Mangana and Gretchen Villacencio.

The United States has expanded the areas in the Philippines where its citizens are advised to exercise increased caution, adding rural and remote areas of Leyte, Mindoro, Negros and Samar due to security concerns linked to insurgent activities.

In a travel advisory issued on September 1, the U.S. State Department said Americans should exercise increased caution in the four provinces because of ‘terrorism and unrest associated with ongoing insurgent activities’ that could pose security risks.

The advisory retained its Level 4 ‘Do Not Travel’ warning for the Sulu Archipelago, including the southern Sulu Sea, because of risks from crime, terrorism, unrest and kidnapping. Marawi City also remains under a ‘Do Not Travel’ designation due to terrorism and unrest.

In addition, the U.S. government continues to advise Americans to ‘reconsider travel’ to certain areas of Mindanao because of security threats linked to crime, terrorism, unrest and kidnapping.

Exempted from this Level 3 travel warning are Davao City Central Business District and Airport, Davao del Norte province, the main thoroughfare from Davao City to Davao del Norte, the Dinagat Islands, Kopiat Island, and the main thoroughfare from Davao City to Mabini and Doña Alicia, Samal Island, and Siargao Island.

For the rest of the Philippines, the travel advisory maintained its ‘Level 2 – Exercise increased caution’ warning for the Philippines due to crime, terrorism, unrest and kidnapping.

‘Foreign terrorist organizations actively recruit Americans to participate directly in terrorist activities and/or provide financial support,’ the advisory said.

The US State Department noted that terrorist and armed groups have carried out kidnappings, bombings and other attacks in the Philippines, including incidents targeting tourist sites, markets and local government facilities.

‘Do not affiliate with terrorist or insurgent groups, including via the internet. If you unwittingly become associated with a group you suspect is engaged in terrorism or armed opposition to the Philippine government, the embassy can help. Contact us immediately,’ the US State Department said.

It also suggested that if they see armed individuals who are not police or military, they should immediately leave the area.

The updated advisory comes months after two American citizens were among 19 people killed during an April 19 encounter between government troops and alleged New People’s Army (NPA) members in Toboso, Negros Occidental, one of the provinces now cited in the advisory. Reports identified the Americans as Filipino-American activist Lyle Prijoles and Kai Dana-Rene Sorem.

Philippine security officials, including the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), said the two Americans were among individuals believed to be affiliated with or operating alongside the NPA during the encounter. The military has maintained that the operation was a legitimate armed engagement against communist rebels.

However, human rights organizations, advocacy groups and some relatives of those killed have disputed that account, arguing that several fatalities were civilians and calling for an independent investigation into the incident.

The State Department did not directly cite the Toboso incident in its latest travel advisory.

The State Department also warned of violent crimes such as robberies, kidnappings, physical assaults and homicides, while noting that protests can sometimes turn violent or cause significant traffic disruptions.

The PLDT Group was named Company of the Year at the 22nd Philippine Quill Awards, capping a strong showing with 21 wins – eight Awards of Excellence and 13 Awards of Merit – for communication programs and initiatives across the organization.

The Philippine Quill achievements of the PLDT Group reflect the collaboration behind the initiatives, with teams and partners coming together to address real needs and deliver results for customers, communities, and the country. The wins span asset protection and business resilience, brand and corporate communications, corporate social responsibility, customer experience and stakeholder engagement, reflecting the breadth of initiatives led by teams across PLDT and Smart and their partner organizations.

Among the Group’s winning entries were:

Awards of Excellence

#BeCyberSmart: Protecting and Empowering Filipinos in the Digital Age

Digital Farmers Program and eBizNovation: Building #FarmSmart and #MSMEmpowered Communities Through Strategic Partnerships

The #LearnSmart App Initiative: Empowering Filipino Children through Inclusive, Culture-Centric Literacy

Panahon Mo Na: How PLDT Home Engineered a Cultural Shift for Filipina Mompreneurs

PLDT Home’s Madiskarte Moms PH: Driving Digital Literacy and Economic Resilience for Filipina Mompreneurs

Smart CX Learning Experience: CARE Flix Instructional Design Series

TNT Anibersaya 25: Celebrating 25 Years of SAYA, Loyalty, and Engagement

Transforming Connectivity Into Culture: The PLDT Home Fiber Netflix Omnichannel Campaign

Awards of Merit

BeCyberSmart Against Online Scams Video Series: Pushing Digital Safety Beyond the Screen

Beyond the Screen: The PLDT Home Fiber Netflix Korea Experience

Building Customer Loyalty Through Life-Changing Rewards: The PLDT Home One Mega Giveaway

CX in Action: Inspiring a Customer-First Culture

From Advocacy to Action: How PLDT Home Engaged Employees to Support Madiskarte Moms PH

From Championship to Community: Transforming a Historic Volleyball Victory into a Shared Stakeholder

Innovation Generation 4: Driving Youth-Led Inclusive Solutions

PEG-Usapan Natin Sessions: Empowering Confident Communicators within the PLDT Group

Project Bayanihan: Protecting What Connects Us

Resilient Citizen Program: Building Preparedness for Employees, Families, and Communities

Smart Cares: Beyond Service – The Smart Cares Experience

Sumakses Na! Enabling Success, One Connected Home at a Time

We Are Here for You: How PLDT Home Turned Malasakit into Customer Trust

‘A winning entry is work that makes a meaningful difference. It starts with a real need, understands the people it needs to reach, and uses communication to create change that matters,’ said Richard Arboleda, President of IABC Philippines. He emphasized that strong communication work rarely happens in isolation, noting that it takes people with different perspectives, experience, and judgment working together to challenge ideas, make them better, and ultimately deliver impact.

The PLDT Group also earned nominations in the Top Division Awards under Communication Management and Communication Training and Education. The evening’s highest honor came at the close of the program, when the PLDT Group was named Company of the Year. The award is given to an organization whose initiatives demonstrate excellence in communication, advance business objectives, and make a positive difference in the communities it serves.

‘At PLDT and Smart, we’d like to think that this is not just about communication, but really about recognition for the fact that we are with our communities. We are carrying here not just our storytelling, but the stories of Filipinos all over the country, and all over the world,’ said Roby Alampay, PLDT and Smart FVP and Group Head of Public Engagement.

Organized by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Philippines, the Philippine Quill Awards is the country’s premier awards program for excellence in business communication and public relations. Now in its 22nd year, this year’s theme, ‘SOAR: Shaping Outcomes, Advancing Reputations,’ highlights the role of purposeful communication in shaping outcomes and strengthening organizations and the communities they serve.

Filipinos in Spain will gain stronger protection and easier access to social security benefits as the Philippines and Spain move to strengthen their longstanding partnership and restore SSS services in Madrid.

Philippine Ambassador to Spain Philippe J. Lhuillier recently met with Social Security System (SSS) President and Chief Executive Officer Robert Joseph M. De Claro to discuss measures to improve social security services for Filipinos in Spain. The meeting comes ahead of the planned reopening of the SSS Representative Office at the Philippine Embassy in Madrid in September.

Ambassador Lhuillier welcomed progress toward concluding and signing the Administrative Agreement implementing the Convention on Social Security between the Philippines and Spain. The framework will establish clearer procedures for totalizing insurance periods, ensuring equal treatment, exporting benefits, and avoiding double social security contributions.

‘Strengthening our social security partnership with Spain is an important step in ensuring that the rights and benefits of our kababayans are protected and accessible, wherever their work and lives may take them,’ Ambassador Lhuillier said. ‘We value our longstanding cooperation with Spain and look forward to working closely with our Spanish counterparts and the SSS to further strengthen the systems that support the Filipino community.’

Under the arrangement, eligible workers who have contributed to both countries’ systems may combine their insurance periods to qualify for certain benefits. Qualified beneficiaries may receive benefits regardless of where they reside, while temporarily assigned workers may avoid duplicate contributions.

The framework also aims to streamline claims processing, information exchange, and coordination between Philippine and Spanish institutions, while reducing documentary requirements and administrative back-and-forth.

The effort will be reinforced by the reopening of the SSS Representative Office at the Philippine Embassy in Madrid, scheduled for inauguration on September 11, 2026. Located at the Embassy’s Eric P. Valenzuela Consular Hall, the office will provide Filipinos with a local venue for SSS concerns and transactions. Mary Jessielyn C. Sia, formerly an SSS Foreign Representative in Milan, will serve the Madrid community.

The Philippines and Spain have maintained a social security arrangement since 1988, with an updated convention signed in 2002 and entering into force in 2012. The forthcoming Administrative Agreement takes this partnership a step further-turning a decades-old commitment into more accessible, responsive support for Filipinos building their lives and livelihoods between the two countries.