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Spain-based Filipino entrepreneur and content creator Ramon Natcher is set to bring his very own perfume brand to the Philippines after launching it in Spain.

A bold entry into the luxury perfume market, Ramon Éxito was born from a single idea: that success has a scent, one that lingers, captivates, and tells a story before words are even said.

With refined notes of citrus, warm amber, and rare woods, the fragrance is designed for the confident, the accomplished, and the unapologetically aspirational.

For Natcher, the brand is more than just a product, it is a reflection of his belief that success is multi-sensory.

“Fragrance is deeply personal. It is an extension of who you are and the legacy you want to leave behind,” Natcher said in a statement.

Natcher’s entrepreneurial journey began at just 17 when he ventured into a small food cart business. His ambition soon took him abroad to Dubai, where he worked and later explored the jewelry industry.

The economic downturn in 2018 led him back to the Philippines, where he opened several restaurants. However, the pandemic forced him to close those ventures, and it was during this challenging time that his path toward hair growth product Trinoxteride began.

As the breadwinner of his family, Natcher faced financial strain that eventually took a toll on his health, leading to alopecia.

He began researching hair growth treatments and, seeing the gap for effective yet affordable options, created Trinoxteride.

Natcher openly admits he has no formal business degree. Instead, his growth came from failures, persistence, and real-world lessons.

Traveling also gave him a global outlook, allowing him to see trends, innovate, and adapt. He believes adaptability is the most important quality an entrepreneur can have.

“Traditional ways of doing business don’t always work anymore. You need to be open to change,” he said.

For him, growth as a person is just as important as business achievements. He challenges the idea that people should never change. Instead, he believes change is necessary, as long as it is for the better.

His definition of success has also evolved over time. Once tied to luxury possessions, he now values three things above all: health, meaningful relationships, and freedom.

“You can have all the money in the world, but without health or the freedom to live on your own terms, it’s meaningless,” he said.

The country’s rice tariff collections this year may settle at a little over P13 billion, down by 60 percent on an annual basis, if the government’s temporary import ban will last until the end of December.

Industry sources said that the Bureau of Customs (BOC) would no longer be able to collect a single tariff from the commodity as the temporary rice import suspension, which took effect last Sept. 15, has been extended until Dec. 31.

Given this situation, the rice tariffs collected by the BOC from January to September will be the final count of collections for 2025.

The BOC was still able to collect tariffs from imported rice in September since there were shipments that were allowed to enter the country from Sept. 1 to 14.

The BOC collected P13.2 billion from rice imports during the nine-month period, based on its preliminary figures. This represents a 52.3-percent drop from the P27.7 billion rice tariff collected from January to September last year.

In 2024, the BOC collected a record-high P34.2 billion from rice imports.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. earlier announced that the government would extend the rice import ban, which was initially scheduled to last for only two months. The government will allow rice imports in January 2026 before implementing another import ban by February 2026 as local harvest begins again.

Finance Undersecretary Karlo Adriano estimated that the government would lose between P1.4 billion and P2 billion in revenues for every month of rice import suspension.

This means that the government may lose as much as P6 billion in the fourth quarter. Last year, the BOC collected P6.5 billion in rice tariffs from October to December.

Despite the plunge in rice tariff collections, the rice competitiveness enhancement fund (RCEF), which seeks to modernize and develop the local rice industry, will still have a guaranteed budget of P30 billion next year pursuant to existing laws. Primarily, the RCEF sources its budget from earmarked rice tariff collections.

The guaranteed budget for RCEF was increased to P30 billion from P10 billion, following the review of the first six years of implementation of the program and tariff collection performance of BOC.

However, in the event that rice tariff collections fall short of P30 billion, the remainder shall be sourced from the budget of the Department of Agriculture (DA).

The 2026 National Expenditures Program has already set aside P30 billion for RCEF next year, which is parked in the budget of the Office of the Secretary of the DA.

Even before the rice import suspension, the Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department (CPBRD) of the House of Representatives has already flagged falling rice tariffs this year due to the implementation of the record-low tariff rate of 15 percent.

The CPBRD pointed out that doubling the first semester rice tariff collections will only amount to P20 billion, still short of the P30 billion RCEF appropriation.

Sourcing the shortfall in rice tariff collections from the DA budget would result in RCEF ‘competing’ with the allocation for the regular programs and projects of the department, according to CPBRD.

Experts have earlier warned that the projected shortfall in the rice tariff collections this year may further strain the government’s already limited fiscal space, potentially increasing its reliance on borrowings next year to sustain rice programs.

‘With the huge increase of the RCEF, the budget for rice relative to other commodities will further widen,’ the CPBRD said.

‘The budget of the DA has been described as rice-centric where a proportionately large proportion of funds is allocated to rice production, often at the expense of other important agricultural subsectors like high-value crops and poultry and livestock,’ the CPBRD added.

Starting November 1, 2025, motorists using provisional, improvised, or temporary plates will be apprehended as part of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) Region 7’s intensified enforcement of license plate regulations.

The move is anchored on LTO Memorandum Circular No. VDM-2025-4674, issued on September 25, which prohibits the continued use of non-official plates.

LTO-7 Regional Director Glenn Galario said the measure comes as the agency has cleared its backlog in license plate production and is now actively distributing all remaining plates nationwide.

Galario clarified that, with the impending deadline, the use of improvised plates will only be allowed provided that the owner possesses an authorization to use an improvised plate. This authorization must be signed by the concerned LTO office that processed the duplicate plate request.

The improvised plate must contain the vehicle’s assigned plate number with the words “Improvised Plate” clearly printed below it.

The use of an improvised plate is applicable only to those who have requested a replacement plate due to loss, dilapidation, or similar situations that rendered the original plate unreadable or unidentifiable.

Galario said that using an “Improvised Plate” without proper authorization shall be fined.

Also covered by the apprehension are vehicles with unreadable plates, or those with plates improperly mounted such as slanted placements or wrong locations. Motorcycle plates must be mounted at the rear, while motor vehicle plates must be installed at both the front and rear.

Motorists are urged to claim their official plates at the nearest LTO office before the deadline to avoid long queues and possible penalties.

‘We ask for your cooperation and understanding. Every motor vehicle is required to have its official plate not only by law but also to ensure proper vehicle identification, public safety, and the general welfare,’ he said.

The implementation supports the administration of President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr., which seeks to ensure all vehicles on public roads have proper plates.

Under the leadership of DOTr Secretary Giovanni Z. Lopez and LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Atty. Vigor D. Mendoza, LTO 7 has been distributing unclaimed plates across the region since last year.

Violators will face a P5,000 fine under Joint Administrative Order (JAO) 2014-001, along with other applicable laws and regulations.

The LTO also reminded motorists that vehicles bearing provisional, improvised, or temporary plates will not be accepted for registration renewal after the deadline.

A separate memorandum issued on August 27, 2024 had earlier informed the public of the guidelines for the use of improvised and temporary plates, giving motorists ample time to secure their official plates.

Despite heated instances in their battle with the University of the Philippines Wednesday evening, Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin stressed that the Fighting Maroons are not malicious, but just ‘tough and physical’.

Ateneo absorbed an 83-69 loss to UP Wednesday, the Blue Eagles’ first setback in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament.

With UP holding a 79-62 advantage over their Katipunan rivals, Kymani Ladi and Migs Yniguez were called for double technical fouls after getting tangled up in the rebound play.

And with the game all but over with mere seconds remaining, Maroons star guard Rey Remogat was called for an unsportsmanlike foul on Ian Espinosa. The foul saw the former getting thrown out of the game.

After the contest, Baldwin underscored that physicality is part of sports.

‘Look, UP is tough. UP is physical. They have been since [UP head coach] Goldwin [Monteverde] has been there. Nobody in our dugout is crying about that,’ he said.

Baldwin said that he did not see the replay, but he believes Remogat’s explanation that he was merely trying to stop the fast break.

‘I think that it was a hard foul. I think it was a foul with purpose, you know, to stop the fast break. But I seriously doubt whether there was any malice in it,’ the coach stated.

‘UP guys are tough. Like, they’re really tough guys. But I don’t see them as malicious and I don’t see their coaching staff that way at all. I just think they’re highly competitive and I applaud that. I applaud toughness,’ he added.

The game was tight through the half, with Ateneo trailing by just two, 38-40. But the Fighting Maroons clamped down on defense in the third quarter, outscoring their rivals 24-11 to break the game wide open.

UP’s lead grew to as high as 19 points, 79-60, after a 3-pointer by Remogat.

‘You know, I ask our guys to be dogs all the time. And I think the UP coaching staff probably doesn’t have to ask for that very much because that’s what those guys are and I admire that about them,’ Baldwin said.

‘And I think we live in a world today where people overreact to toughness. I mean, get the hell out of sports if you’re not going to be tough, right? And if you’re going to cry about things all the time, well, you’re not going to be on the winning side very much.’

UP showcased its defensive prowess in the game as they forced Ateneo to shoot 25-of-65 from the floor compared to their 28-of-57 clip.

The Maroons have now won three straight games and rose to 3-2 this season, while the Blue Eagles dropped to 4-1.

Cebu Governor Pamela S. Baricuatro, marked her first 100 days in office by highlighting transparency, service delivery, and people-first leadership as a vital part of her administration.

Baricuatro, the 28th governor of Cebu and the second female to hold the Capitol’s highest seat, said openness and accountability remain her guiding principles.

‘I’ve said this from Day One: true leadership is measured by service, integrity, and the courage to do what’s right even when it’s difficult,’ Baricuatro posted on her official Facebook page.

Baricuatro won over 1.1 million Cebuanos who elected her in May 2025, when she ran under the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP) and defeated former governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

The governor identified three core priorities pursued during her first 100 days: service delivery and accountable governance, inclusive growth and investment, and people-centered leadership.

Among the reforms she cited were streamlined frontline services at the Capitol, faster health and social welfare responses, and tighter oversight on public funds to ensure transparency.

Baricuatro said every peso in government should be accounted for and must directly benefit families, barangays, and communities across Cebu.

On economic development, she underscored her expanded support for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), along with farmers and coastal communities.

Infrastructure and digital connectivity investments have also been initiated to widen access to education, health, and commerce.

In the course of her governorship and as what she mentioned in her State of the Province Address (SOPA) in August 29, she highlighted the hiring of 25 new doctors and 160 nurses, with more to follow, to boost health care delivery across the province.

In addition, her term also reactivated the Provincial Health Board, with broader membership and expertise to guide health programs.

Disaster resilience was strengthened after the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) was elevated into a full-fledged department.

Revelations

At the outset, Baricuatro bared what she called ‘disturbing findings’ from the previous administration-P1.1 billion in payables from unfunded projects, obligations without budget cover, and infrastructure built without bidding.

Baricuatro also flagged neglected hospitals lacking basic supplies and short on manpower, idle education funds worth over P1 billion that should have gone to classrooms and teachers, and questionable environmental permits issued to non-compliant firms.

On the other hand, she has ordered a one-month suspension of all quarrying, sand and gravel extraction, and special disposal operations in Cebu to review permit compliance and tighten enforcement.

The move comes amid mounting public complaints and aims to ensure stricter environmental accountability.

Accomplishments

Recently, the Capitol acquired its first-ever Sea Ambulance, aimed at ensuring swift emergency transport for patients in Cebu’s island municipalities.

The Sea Ambulance project was made possible through the PDRRMO in partnership with stakeholders, reinforcing the Capitol’s focus on timely rescue operations.

Fisherfolk communities also benefited, as the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) turned over two fishing boats to the province, which were later distributed to the local governments of Danao City and Medellin.

Her administration also established the Cebu People’s Assistance Center (CPAC) through Executive Order No. 5. CPAC serves as a 24/7 one-stop help desk where Cebuanos can access provincial services, emergency assistance, and to lodge complaints or concerns.

Baricuatro’s early tenure was also tested by the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that hit northern Cebu on September 30, killing a total of 72 people.

She commended the response of Cebuanos during the tragedy, saying the spirit of bayanihan proved stronger than fear and despair. ‘The people of Cebu did not fail me, nor their fellow Cebuanos in the north; together, we stood strong,’ she said.

Looking ahead, Baricuatro vowed to sustain reforms, expand inclusive economic opportunities, and maintain open collaboration with local governments, civil society, and private partners.

“I will stay focused on the people and the province we all love. God bless Cebu, and may we continue working together for a brighter future,” her post concluded.

The national government commits to restoring Cebu’s earthquake-damaged heritage churches, recognizing them as irreplaceable symbols of Filipino faith, identity, and craftsmanship.

The Department of Tourism said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has included in his order the immediate rehabilitation of infrastructure, including the restoration of centuries-old religious structures that have long stood as cultural anchors in their communities.

Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, during a site inspection at the Archdiocesan Shrine of San Vicente Ferrer in Bogo City-considered ground zero of the quake-announced that rapid assessment teams from the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) have been deployed in coordination with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).

She emphasized that the restoration of these churches is a national priority.

‘We have already deployed teams from TIEZA, our attached agency, to do a rapid assessment and inspection, and we are endorsing as well, to the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and the other relevant heritage agencies, so that together, we can ensure the restoration and rehabilitation of these symbols and living edifices of our faith and culture, and they can rise again,’ Sec.Frasco said.

The DOT identified five major heritage churches severely affected by the tremor: the Archdiocesan Shrine of Sta. Rosa de Lima in Daanbantayan (built in 1858), Sts. Peter and Paul Parish Church in Bantayan (1863), San Isidro Labrador Church in Tabogon (1954 structure; parish established 1851), San Juan Nepomuceno Parish in San Remegio (1864), and the Archdiocesan Shrine of San Vicente Ferrer in Bogo City (originally built in 1858, reconstructed post-WWII).

These coral stone churches, many over a century old, were assessed by a joint team from the Archdiocese of Cebu, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), and the NCCA.

Other damaged churches noted by DOT were Capelinha de Fatima Replica in San Remigio, San Ignacio de Loyola Church in Medellin, Holy Family of Nazareth Parish in Bogo City, Saint Ignatius de Loyola Parish in Medellin, St. Labrador Church in Tabogon, and St. Martin de Porres Church in Tabogon.

From October 4 to 6, NHCP Chair Ricky Jose led technical inspections of affected sites in Liloan, Catmon, Bantayan, Daanbantayan, and Cebu City.

The team documented extensive structural damage, as well as harm to movable heritage objects and archival materials.

Jose underscored the enduring legacy of Filipino builders whose craftsmanship shaped these churches, noting that their work continues to inspire even as their names are lost to history.

The DOT also reported that five major tourist sites in Cebu City-including Museo Sugbo, Casa Gorordo, and the National Museum of the Philippines Cebu-remain closed pending structural integrity assessments.

An estimated 1,206 tourism workers have been displaced due to the quake’s impact on establishments. Secretary Frasco assured that these workers are prioritized for relief and livelihood assistance through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Cebu, which welcomed over five million tourists in 2024, is widely regarded as the cradle of Christianity in Asia. The restoration of its heritage churches is not only a cultural imperative but a reaffirmation of national resilience and unity.

Through the combined efforts of DOT, TIEZA, NHCP, NCCA, and local partners, the government is determined to ensure that these structures, deemed sacred, rise again-preserved, strengthened, and ready to inspire generations to come.

Meanwhile, the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-Phivolcs) has appealed to the national government for the urgent acquisition of additional seismic instruments and stations, following the earthquake that jolted Cebu last week.

Dr. Teresito Bacolcol, Phivolcs director, said this equipment and facilities can help them in mapping more off-shore active faults just like the Bogo Bay Fault, which was confirmed as the source of the 6.9 magnitude earthquake that hit northern Cebu on September 30.

Currently, Philvolcs has 125 seismic stations across the country, with its latest facility launched earlier in June this year. However, Bacolcol admitted that these are not yet close enough to the ideal number of seismic stations of 300, considering the size of the Philippines.

Bacolcol also disclosed that at least four more stations were launched every year, saying that it will take more than 40 years for the country to complete what is ideal.

To urgently acquire the 175 additional stations, the Republic Act 12180 or the Phivolcs Modernization Act was already enacted in June 2025, he said.

‘Good thing and with that law, we’d be able to fast-track the acquisition of our seismic instruments to complete these within the next five years,’ he said during the OpenLine News Forum yesterday, October 8.

The law is aligned with the agency’s mission to expand its seismic network nationwide and to improve its technological operational capacity, he added.

In the case of the Cebu earthquake, Phivolcs has already monitored active faults through several operations off-shore and mostly on land, which were prioritized because of their risks to the residents living on top of them.

‘Mostly ang na-mapped na nato karon would be on-shore active faults, naa sa yuta, precisely because they have direct, immediate, and visible effect sa LGUs kay (para) matagaan nato og advise ang mga LGUs that they are not supposed to construct here,’ said Bacolcol.

‘We already did several off-shore active faults mapping before. But again, we need more equipment to do that. But I think that will be answered by the Phivolcs Modernization . Hopefully we will be able to acquire these things,’ he added, noting the urgency of the needed facilities and equipment.

All structures that collapsed during the magnitude 6.9 earthquake in Cebu on Sept. 30 had already been identified as high risk in the hazard maps of Project NOAH, an expert from the University of the Philippines said.

UP Resilience Institute executive director Mahar Lagmay led a team of engineers in assessing the extent of damage in northern Cebu and in recommending safety measures to local and national authorities.

‘A majority of the damaged houses were not as severe as what I imagined before doing fieldwork. Social media made me think that many houses crumbled or were toppled by the earthquake,’ Lagmay noted on Facebook.

He also learned that ‘all the collapsed structures that they documented were already on the hazard maps of Project NOAH.’

‘Three were built on waterways, one on a steep slope and one along the coast underlain by sediments,’ he noted.

Launched in 2012, Project NOAH (Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazard) was a government program that utilized science and technology to identify areas prone to natural disasters and empower local governments and communities to prepare for and reduce disaster risks.

With this vision, Lagmay said the team’s current findings would contribute to strengthening disaster risk reduction strategies nationwide, particularly in preparation for ‘The Big One,’ which is expected to be a potential magnitude 7.2 earthquake along the Marikina Valley Fault System.

Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) director Teresito Bacolcol said the government, in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency, is set to revisit next year the 2004 study on the possible impact of ‘The Big One’ in Metro Manila.

The two-decade-old study projected as many as 33,500 fatalities and 113,600 injuries in the capital region, which then had a population of 9.9 million.

Including nearby provinces, the projected death toll could reach 48,000, Bacolcol said.

Coastal subsidence

Following Cebu’s magnitude 6.9 earthquake, the Department of Science and Technology and its attached agencies reported several geological effects across the province.

Phivolcs observed signs of coastal subsidence in Barangay Hagnaya, San Remigio, where the sea level has noticeably advanced inland after the quake.

The movement of the Bogo Bay Fault, which generated the quake, caused portions of Hagnaya Port and nearby structures to become submerged during high tide.

‘The northeastern portion of the Hagnaya Port and the ground in the building’s vicinity subsided and became inundated by seawater during high tide,’ Phivolcs said, citing findings from its Quick Response Team.

Meanwhile, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) reported the appearance of 14 new sinkholes in Bogo City and San Remigio, on top of the 198 previously identified in the same areas.

Science Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. also urged the Bogo City local government to take immediate action following the discovery of the inland extension of the Bogo Bay Fault in Sitio Looc, Barangay Nailon, which may stretch up to 1.5 kilometers.

As local and national agencies continued to assess the damage and assist communities reeling from the quake, international partners also joined relief efforts in Cebu.

The Philippine Air Force and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force have begun their first joint military exercises under the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) between Japan and the Philippines.

Dubbed Doshin-Bayanihan 5-25, the training exercise runs from Oct. 7 to 11 at the Benito Ebuen Air Base in Mactan, Cebu, marking the inaugural implementation of the RAA, which entered into force last Sept. 11.

The second most wanted person in Metro Manila was apprehended in Barangay Upper Bicutan, Taguig on Tuesday.

Jomar Salik, 21, was arrested based on a warrant for murder issued by the Taguig Regional Trial Court Branch 266, city police chief Col. Byron Allatog said.

No bail was recommended for Salik’s temporary liberty.

Salik is said to be a member of a car theft ring operating in Metro Manila.

Prior to the arrest, police said intelligence operatives had been tracking Salik’s whereabouts through surveillance and background verification.

The suspect is being held at the Taguig police station.

Here’s what to expect in the PBA’s Golden Anniversary season by the numbers.

5- FIBA World Cup Asia qualifying windows starting November this year up to November next year to impact the PBA’s 50th season. The PBA will take a break during the windows. There will also be a sixth window on Feb. 25-March 1, 2027 but that will be during the PBA’s 51st season.

9- rule changes. A key change is it is now legal to reverse a referee’s call and make the correct call in situations of third party contact/blocking and/or charging, foul/out-of-bounds or last touch and all kinds of foul, including charging and blocking provided it took place on the same play phase. Previously, only a call that is challenged will be determined to uphold or not. Another change is in the last two minutes of every quarter, penalty is called after two team fouls. This was done only in the fourth quarter in past seasons. Still, another change is in the last two minutes of the fourth quarter or OT, there will be a deadball after every made basket where referees may review validity of the conversion. If no review is made, the basket may no longer be reviewed.

14 -rookies on opening day rosters, namely Ginebra’s Sonny Estil, Blackwater’s Dalph Panopio and Jack Dumont, Converge’s Juan Gomez de Liaño, Mark Omega and Kobe Monje, Magnolia’s Gab Gomez, Phoenix’ Dave Ando, San Miguel Beer’s Chris Miller and Royce Mantua, Terrafirma’s JM Bravo and Ira Bateller and Titan’s Chris Koon and Mario Barasi. The list will increase when draftees from the MPBL and NCAA join, including Geo Chiu, Will Gozum, Jason Brickman, LJ Gonzales and Yukien Andrada.

31- players from last season not on current lineups, including Jvee Casio, Mark Borboran, Chris Exciminiano, Terrence Romeo, Jackson Corpuz and Justin Chua. The list includes William Navarro, Jamie Malonzo and Arvin Tolentino who are now playing abroad.

27 – players who switched teams this season, including TNT’s Jio Jalalon, Tyrus Hill and Kevin Ferrer, Terrafirma’s Jerrick Ahanmisi, Paul Garcia and Prince Rivero, Titan’s Ato Ular, Aljun Melecio, Jeo Ambohot, Von Pessumal and James Martinez and Rain or Shine’s Stanley Pringle.

2- provincial games in the Philippine Cup. The first will be Converge against TNT at the Chavit Coliseum in Vigan, Ilocos Sur on Oct. 18 and the second, Rain or Shine against TNT in Cagayan de Oro on Nov. 15.

3 – out-of-the-country games in the first conference. The first will be San Miguel Beer against Ginebra in Dubai on Oct. 26. Two games will be played in Bahrain, the first Magnolia against Rain or Shine on Dec. 15 and second Rain or Shine against Ginebra on Dec. 17.

23 – referees to open the first conference, three of whom are rookies. Last season, there were 24 in the referees’ start list.

Cayabu Elementary and High School and Rawang Elementary School in Rizal province received laptops from non-profit foundation Her Legacy Project and finance super app GCash, reinforcing their shared dedication to advancing financial inclusion and making basic education tools accessible to all learners.

The donation was part of the Her Legacy: Tech for All initiative, which is a component of the national ConnectED program in collaboration with the Department of Education (DepEd).

Her Legacy Project is a civil society organization dedicated to empowering women and girls through education, advocacy and community engagement.

The program aims to address the growing educational inequality in the Philippines, particularly in last-mile communities where access to digital tools remains limited. The issue is especially pressing among young learners who began schooling during the height of the pandemic, many of whom still lack access to basic devices like mobile phones or laptops.

To date, ConnectED and its partners have distributed over 500 laptops across over 100 schools in 29 provinces, raising more than P21 million through private donations and public partnerships. The initiative has helped equip learners and teachers with the tools needed to participate more actively in today’s digital learning environment.

For this GCash donation drive, laptop devices have been refurbished and repurposed to serve learners who need them most, helping close the tech gap in education by enabling more girls to gain access to the tools they need to succeed. GCash chief technology and operations officer Pebbles Sy led the laptop turnover to the learners.

‘Technology is most powerful when it creates access, especially for those who have long been left behind,’ said Sy.

‘This partnership with Her Legacy Project resonates deeply with us here at GCash because it’s about giving young people the agency to shape their futures. When learners in last-mile schools are equipped and empowered, the impact goes far beyond the classroom,’ she added.

‘Her Legacy has always been about harnessing collective action to uplift young girls and bring resources to where they are needed most,’ said Karen Davila, founder of Her Legacy Project.

‘We’re grateful to GCash for joining us on this mission. Through this collaboration, we are showing our youth that they matter, that they belong in the digital future we’re building.’

Education advocate Tootsy Angara, meanwhile, stressed that access to technology is no longer a privilege but a necessity for every learner.

‘By putting laptops in the hands of learners in last-mile schools, we’re not just bridging the digital divide, we’re opening doors to opportunity, equity and a brighter future,’ she said.

The initiative reflects a shared mission between Her Legacy Project and GCash to expand digital access, empower communities and champion inclusive innovation. By repurposing available technology for educational use and tangible impact with scalable potential-one learner, one device at a time-is created for those most in need.