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Yulo wins second gold as Eala heads to Asiad after loss By Riera U. Mallari NAGOYA (Powered by PLDT Home) —Carlos Yulo chased an Asian Games gold medal for seven years starting in 2019. When he finally broke through in the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asiad, he had two in as many days. Fresh off his victory in the floor exercise, Philippine gymnastics sensation Yulo doubled his golden haul by reigning supreme in the Men's Vault Final at the Nagoya General Gymnasium on Friday. Next page

WIN AND LOSS. Gymnast Carlos Yulo wins his second gold medal at the AichiNagoya Asian Games even as tennis star Alex Eala heads to the Games after losing a tight match at the WTA 500 Singapore Open. AFP, POC media

Veloso pardoned, released from jail

CHINA SHIPS BLOCK AYUNGIN RESUPPLY NEWS / A3

PBBM lifts fuel excise tax; DOTr Clemency granted for humanitarian reasons — Palace okays fare hike By Charles Dantes, Alena Mae S. Flores, and Darwin Amojelar

By Charles Dantes and Pot Chavez ARY Jane Veloso went free last night after 16 years in prison, several hours after President Ferdinand R. Marcos announced granting her an absolute pardon.

“Pinirmahan ko na ‘yung pardon niya kahapon (I signed her pardon yesterday),” Marcos confirmed yesterday on the sidelines of his visit to Eastern Visayas. Malacañang had said Wednesday that Marcos was considering granting Veloso an absolute pardon on humanitarian grounds. Executive Secretary Ralph Recto said the effort to bring Veloso home and secure her freedom "spanned three presidencies and more than a decade of patient diplomacy, painstaking legal work, and persistent advocacy." "Mary Jane Veloso’s odyssey began sixteen years ago, when her hopes as a migrant worker of finding a better future abroad were exploited by predatory recruiters. She paid dearly for their deception: years behind bars, far from her family, her friends, and her homeland," he said in a statement. The National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) and the Migrante International also welcomed Veloso's pardon. “We welcome President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s grant of an absolute pardon to Mary Jane, a long-awaited act that brings immeasurable relief to her, her family, and all those who stood with her through the years,” the NUPL said in a statement. It described Mary Jane’s story as one of extraordinary courage and resilience, noting that she is powerful symbol of the struggles endured by overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). “Her freedom is cause for celebration. It is also a reminder of why trafficking victims must be met first with protection, compassion, and justice, and why no victim should have to spend years fighting simply to be recognized as one,” it added. Migrante International also welcomed the President’s announcement based on humanitarian grounds. Next page

VOL. XL • NO. 224 • 8 SECTIONS 36 PAGES • P20 •SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2026 •

FREE AT LAST. Convicted drug trafficker Mary Jane Veloso is all smiles holding her pardon order after her release from prison last night. She was presented to the media by Bureau of Corrections chief Gen. Gregorio Catapang Jr. Screen grab from ABS-CBN

Defense team of ex-Speaker eyes presenting 40 witnesses By Maricel V. Cruz THE defense team of Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez has identified as many as 40 potential witnesses -- including the former Speaker himself -- his law-

Petitioners to Supreme Court: Nullify new impeach threshold vote By Pot Chavez and Ram Superable TWO petitions were filed before the Supreme Court (SC) on Friday, seeking to nullify the proceedings of

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday ordered the temporary suspension of excise taxes on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and kerosene as the government moves to cushion consumers from increasing oil prices. Meanwhile, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Friday approved the recommendation to increase public utility vehicle (PUV) fares, lifting the suspension on fare adjustments as transports groups geared for a nationwide strike from Sept. 28 to 30. In a memorandum, Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez ordered the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to revoke the suspension of fare adjustments and implement the fare adjustment approved by the LTFRB in March 2026. Based on the approved fare hike, P1 will be added to the current minimum fare for jeepneys, and an additional P2 for every succeeding kilometer. The new minimum fare for traditional jeepneys is P14 (up by one peso from P13) for the first four kilometers, with an additional P2 for every succeeding kilometer (up from P1.80). For modern jeepneys, the base fare will increase by P2, from P15 to P17, with an additional P2.40 for every succeeding kilometer. As this developed, consumers can expect a reprieve from high oil prices next week as the oil companies expect a big time rollback of up to P7.50 per liter. Under Executive Order No. 125, signed Sept. 25, the excise tax on LPG is fully suspended, except when the product is used as raw material for petrochemical production or for motive power. The suspension also covers kerosene, except when used as aviation fuel. Next page

the Senate impeachment court when it lowered the requirement from 16 votes to 14 to convict Vice President Sara Duterte. M e a n while, Senate President S h e r w i n Gatchalian

Prosecutors eye source of VP Sara’s net worth NEWS / A2

yer said Friday. Lawyer Ade Fajardo said the list remains tentative as the defense will first assess the prosecution’s evidence before determining which witnesses need to be presented.

“(Congressman Romualdez) wants his day to defend himself in court,” he said. Asked whether Romualdez would testify during the bail hearings or the presentation of evidence in the trial,

Fajardo said it would depend on the proceedings. He explained that during bail hearings, the prosecution normally presents its evidence while the defense has Next page

New BSKE law signed, next elections set Nov. 2028 By Charles Dantes, Vito Barcelo, Ram Superable and Maricel Cruz PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed a law giving barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials five-year terms and moving the next village and youth council elections to November 2028. Marcos announced the signing in a social media post Friday, urging local officials to use the addi-

tional time to improve public services, complete ongoing programs and address community and youth needs. “Ang dagdag na panahon sa panunungkulan ay dagdag na panahon para maglingkod,” Marcos said. “Hindi ito dagdag na panahon sa puwesto. Dagdag itong panahon ng pananagutan sa taumbayan.” (The additional time in office is more time to serve—not to stay in power—and carries greater ac-

countability to the people.) The measure, which Marcos identified as Republic Act No. 12326, extends barangay and SK officials’ terms from four to five years. Under the measure approved by Congress, the next Barangay and SK Elections (BSKE), originally set for November 2026, will be held in November 2028. The country has roughly 378,000 elective core barangay officials, Next page

NEWS

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2026

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Prosecution eyes source of VP’s net worth House Prosecutor and Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua said the presentation must be viewed as one

connected body of evidence—not as isolated testimony from separate government agencies.

"This presentation is like a puzzle,” Chua said yesterday during a press conference. The SALNs presented in the impeachment court established the amounts Duterte declared, he said. Records presented through the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) then identified companies, ownership interests and corporate positions connected with those declarations. The SEC witness also discussed the companies’ reported sales and the

Veloso...

lives after almost 16 years of legal struggles. "Following the extended period of separation, Mary Jane and her family will gradually be given the chance to reclaim the time that was taken from them — and to begin anew the life they have long yearned for,” Pangilinan said. House Deputy Minority Leader Sarah Elago called it a "victory for the Filipino people.” She, however, reminded that the fight continues against human traffickers and systemic issues that push Filipinos into vulnerable overseas work. “Mary Jane’s freedom did not come voluntarily. It was fought for by her family, migrant Filipinos, church people, human rights defenders, women’s groups, law-

yers, and Filipinos who continued to stand up for her even after years of uncertainty over her release,” Elago said. Elago of Gabriela Women's Party, added every protest, petition, appeal, and public stand for Veloso formed part of the victory. “We have also long maintained that she is a victim of human trafficking and exploitation, not a criminal who should be punished,” she said. Akbayan Party-list Rep. Perci Cendaña, also a deputy minority leader, shared Elago's views. He said granting Veloso an absolute pardon is “not only the right decision” but also a "triumph of justice." House Senior Deputy Minority Leader and Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Rep. Leila

de Lima said President Marcos move "is a very welcome news, especially for Mary Jane Veloso and her family." "We thank this administration for heeding our longstanding call, together with various human rights and OFW rights advocates, dating back to the efforts of the late President Noynoy Aquino to appeal to Indonesia to spare Mary Jane from execution," De Lima said. Arrested in 2010 in Yogyakarta, Indonesia Veloso was arrested in 2010 in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, and was sentenced to death that same year after authorities found 2.6 kg. of heroin in her luggage. She consistently maintained her innocence, saying she was a victim of

human trafficking and her recruiters tricked her into carrying the suitcase without her knowledge. She received a last-minute reprieve in 2015 after the Philippine government asked Indonesia to spare her so she could testify against her alleged human traffickers. Following diplomatic engagements between the Philippines and Indonesia regarding prisoner transfer arrangements, Veloso was repatriated to Manila in 2024 and transferred to the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City to serve the remainder of her legal sentence under Philippine jurisdiction. Veloso’s appeal for executive clemency was evaluated and reviewed by the Office of the President earlier this year.

said the extension would let the government continue mobilizing barangay officials for crime-prevention and flood-mitigation programs. “Nakita po ng mga mambabatas natin, nakita rin po ng Pangulo kung gaano ba kahalaga sa ngayon ang papel ng mga barangay officials (Our lawmakers and the President saw how important the role of barangay officials is at present),” Castro said at a press briefing. She said barangay officials could

help address community peace and order concerns and prevent flooding, including through better waste disposal. “Ang pagpapa-extend man ng termino ng mga barangay officials ay hindi para maging hayahay ang kanilang buhay. Ito ay para sila magtrabaho (The extension of barangay officials’ terms is not meant to make their lives easier. It is for them to work),” Castro said. The Senate approved the five-year term measure on Sept. 14, and the

House later adopted it. It amends Republic Act No. 12232, which provided four-year terms and scheduled the next BSKE for November 2026. Elections every 5 years The measure also schedules subsequent barangay and SK elections every five years. It sets term limits for barangay officials, while SK officials remain limited to one term. The Commission on Elections (Comelec) then canceled activities for the 2026 BSKE after Marcos signed

the law resetting the polls to November 2028. Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia said the canceled activities included the planned filing of certificates of candidacy from Sept. 28 to Oct. 5. The postponement also lifted the ban on delivering social services and undertaking public works. Comelec had continued preparing for the 2026 polls while the measure was pending, spending or obligating billions of pesos.

constitutional threshold for convicting an impeachable official without regard to its ramifications. "The public respondent Senate Impeachment Court committed grave abuse of discretion when it allowed its members, Senators Judges, to interpret the Philippine Constitution and deem the resulting interpretation arrived at by thirteen (13) of its Senators Judges, as the controlling rule on any judgment of conviction or acquittal that it will render, notwithstanding its possible farranging ramifications," Francisco's petition reads in part. In an interview with Manila Standard, retired Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio opined that the petition may be dismissed outright by the SC for lack of standing. Meanwhile, law lecturer and constitutionalist Michael Henry Yusingco explained that petitions filed not representing the Vice President will likely be dismissed if locus standi is applied

strictly. "If the certiorari alleges violation of the respondent’s right to due process, then I would be really surprised if the SC doesn’t take cognizance. But if the petition is not based on this ground, I wouldn’t be surprised if the SC asserts the political question rule," he told Manila Standard. Yusingco, senior research fellow at the Ateneo Policy Center of the School of Government, noted that the High Tribunal can also set aside this rule on the ground of the transcendental importance of the issue. As such, if the petition is questioning the interpretation of constitutional provision alone, it can be dismissed on the ground that there is still no justiciable controversy. "My position is, the only way the SC could rightly take cognizance, without resorting to the ‘transcendental importance’ justification, is when the VP seeks relief on the grounds that the rule change violated her right

to due process. Anything beyond this will mean the SC purposely loosening the requirements in order to intervene in the impeachment trial," he added. According to the Gatchalian, the absence of a temporary restraining order (TRO) means senator-judges will proceed with their duty to try and decide the case as long as a quorum is maintained. "There is no TRO, so it continues. Our job under the Constitution is to try and decide. As long as we have a quorum, we will conduct the trial," he said. Addressing concerns about a potential boycott by the defense panel, the Senate chief stated that presence remains their choice, but the trial will continue regardless. Gatchalian added that he has heard no indications of senator-judges planning to skip the proceedings, noting active participation from minority members in recent budget committee hearings.

in the Asiad and the country’s first in the games in his favorite Men’s Floor Exercise. Eala coming to town Meanwhile, tennis superstar Alexandra is expected to arrive in Nagoya on Saturday (September 26), in time for the tennis competitions, which begin on September 27. Fresh off a surprising round-of-16 exit at the Singapore Open, Eala enters the women's singles draw as the top seed, needing only to win four times to capture gold. The path to victory looks set to be less crowded with several marquee names missing, such as defending champion Zheng Qinwen, World No. 1 Elena Rybakina, and four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka, who have all opted to play the WTA 1000 China Open in Beijing instead. "Once you're in the draw, you have a chance," said Eala as she reflected on her 6-4, 5-7, 3-6 defeat to unseeded Russian Tatiana Prozorova, who

was ranked 165th. "I’ll process this loss, take it step by step, and give it my best." Gilas Women bags 3x3 silver Meanwhile, the Gilas Women fell to a hot-shooting Japanese team in the gold-medal match, 11-21, to settle for the silver medal. Their male counterparts failed to advance to the championship round after falling to Korea, 9-21, before dropping out of the podium after a 10-21 loss to Iran. Eldrew captures bronze Carlos’ younger brother Karl Eldrew accomplished a mean feat of his own right in his first Asiad as he bagged the bronze in the men’s horizontal bar with a final score of 13.66, which comprised a 5 for difficulty and 8.566 for execution, marked by a perfect landing. China’s Tian Hao won the gold with a 14.700 (5.9 difficulty, 8.700 execution), with Japan’s Oka Shinnosuke taking the silver (14.033, 5.4, 8.633).

The Philippines rose to no. 14 on the medal tally with 2 golds, 2 silvers, and five bronze medals. A mirror of the Paris Olympics Yulo’s 2024 Paris Olympics’ performance, wherein he delivered Philippine gymnastics’ first-ever gold in the Olympiad, before making it two-in-a-row with the vault title the following day. Adding to a strong outing for Team Pilipinas, fellow Filipino gymnast Juancho Miguel Besana delivered a competitive performance in the elite field. Besana finished fifth overall with a 13.783 average, posting runs of 13.766 and 13.800. The Manila-born Yulo, who started campaigning in the Asiad during its 2019 Jakarta edition, aimed for a third medal in the parallel bars hours later. But he could only place 4th with a 14.300 score, an improvement from his sixth-place seeding in the event, topped by Tokyo and Paris Olympic Chinese Olympic champion Zou Jingyuan (15.500).

the option to present countervailing evidence. For the defense’s evidence-in-chief, however, Fajardo said: “Likelier than not, Congressman Romualdez will testify.” He said the defense may decide not to call some witnesses if it determines that the prosecution’s evidence does not require a response. “If, in our assessment, there is no need to respond—or if the prosecution's evidence is weak—we might not feel the need to present those witnesses,” Fajardo said. Fajardo said the witnesses that will be presented by the defense will likely include retired Marine T/Sgt. Orly Guteza as well as members of the so-called “Maleta Boys” who were former security aides of ex-lawmaker Zaldy Co. “We are actually going to list – those who recanted, including possibly Guteza because he’s the one who said in his recanting affidavit that this was all a setup, that he was made to sign as the so-called missing link,” Fajardo said. Guteza, in his new affidavit, retracted his earlier testimony that he delivered cash kickbacks in suitcases to the residences of Romualdez and Co. Guteza said he was offered payment in exchange for implicating Romualdez. He identified former Anakalusgan party-list Rep. Mike Defensor as the one who pressured him to provide false testimony against the former Speaker. Guteza also identified Senator Marcoleta as the one who edited and completed his draft testimony that was typed by Defensor's son-in-law, Mark. Romualdez earlier said that once the fabricated “delivery link” was removed, there is no evidence to link him to the flood control mess.

barrel threshold set under Republic Act No. 12316, which authorizes the president, upon recommendation of the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) and in coordination with the DOE, to suspend or reduce petroleum excise taxes. The DBCC, through Resolution No. 2026-11, recommended the full suspension of the excise taxes on the covered LPG and kerosene products,

according to the executive order. The suspension will be subject to review within 15 days from the issuance of the order. The DOE, the Department of Budget and Management, and the Department of Finance (DOF), in coordination with the DBCC, are directed to recommend whether the suspension should be continued, modified, extended or terminated.

The agencies are also required to submit a report to the House of Representatives and the Senate on the suspension, in accordance with Republic Act No. 12316. The excise tax rates will automatically revert to those prescribed under the National Internal Revenue Code if the one-month average Dubai crude oil price falls below $80 per barrel, with the reversion taking effect one

week after the DOE certifies the decline. The rates will also revert upon expiration of the suspension period. The order directs the DOE and the DOFm through the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and Bureau of Customs (BOC), to monitor the delivery and inventory of petroleum products covered by the order. With Katrina Manubay

By Maricel V. Cruz

HE House prosecution team is assembling documentary evidence to show the sources behind the growth of Vice President Sara Duterte’s declared net worth from ₱7.25 million in 2007 to ₱98.66 million in 2025.

From A1

“We celebrate this is as a historic victory for the global people's movement that has long fought for freedom and justice for Mary Jane as a victim of human trafficking,” the group said in its statement. Several lawmakers on Friday lauded the President's decision paving the way for her long-awaited reunion with her family nearly two years after she was repatriated to the Philippines. Senator Francis Pangilinan said he is “grateful” that President Marcos arrived at this decision. He noted that this development offered the Veloso family the opportunity to rebuild their

Petitioners... From A1

based on a total count of about 42,027 barangays. Each barangay has one chairman or captain, seven councilors, one youth council leader, and an appointed secretary and treasurer. Mobilized for crime prevention, flood mitigation Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro

Petitioners... From A1

said the impeachment trial would continue despite the SC petitions challenging the latest ruling on the voting threshold. Lawyer Vic Rodriguez filed a petition asking the High Court to declare null and void the ruling on the conviction threshold, arguing that it reduces the constitutional denominator by excluding incumbent senators. Another petition by lawyer Ernesto Francisco also sought the issuance of a Status Quo Ante Order to maintain the last actual, peaceable and uncontested state of affairs that existed before the present controversy. Francisco claims that the impeachment court committed grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction when it issued its Sept. 23, 2026 ruling, purportedly interpreting the Constitution, by lowering the

Yulo... From A1

Showcasing world-class power and precision, Yulo secured the top spot on the podium with a masterful average score of 14.599. He set the tone immediately with a spectacular first vault, scoring 14.733 behind a 5.6 difficulty rating and a 9.133 execution score. The "Golden Boy" then sealed his triumph with a brilliantly executed second vault, earning 14.466 (5.2 difficulty, 9.266 execution) to hold off a fierce challenge from Iran's Mahdi Olfati. Olfati took silver with a 14.533 average despite posting a massive 15.100 on his opening attempt, while Hong Kong's Ng Ka Ki claimed bronze with a 14.116 average. “This one is really from God, a blessing po,” said the 26-year-old Yulo, who a day earlier delivered Philippine gymnastics’ first-ever gold

PBBM... From A1

The order was issued after the Department of Energy certified that the average Dubai crude oil price based on the Mean of Platts Singapore (MOPS) for the preceding 30 days had reached $99.41 per barrel. The price exceeded the $80-per-

absence of dividend information in the records he examined. Government procurement records supplied another part of the picture. A PhilGEPS witness testified about contracts awarded to GenCorp Industries Inc., a company Duterte listed as a business interest in her SALNs. Chua did not characterize the ₱91.4-million increase itself as illegal or automatically unexplained. "We are not saying that this is ille-

gal", he said. Instead, prosecutors want the impeachment court to compare Duterte’s declarations with documents showing her lawful income and any other legitimate sources of wealth. “We are demonstrating—through the documents and evidence we have presented previously and will present in the future—the income earned and the basis for the documents regarding our Vice President's accumulation of wealth," Chua said.

Defense... From A1

NEWS

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2026

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

China ships block RoRe to Ayungin T HE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Friday confirmed that eight Chinese warships and coast guard vessels interfered with a routine humanitarian rotation and resupply (RoRe) mission to Ayungin Shoal Thursday night.

The RoRe is for the supplies and personnel rotation for BRP Sierra Madre (LS-57), which is standing watch at the West Philippine Sea (WPS). “The AFP confirms that three People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) warships, including two Houbei-class missile boats, and five China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels interfered during the conduct of a

routine humanitarian RoRe mission to Ayungin Shoal,” said retired Navy reservist Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, AFP spokesperson for the WPS. Trinidad said the harassment took place from around 8:35 p.m. to 11 p.m. while the Philippine supply ship, the M/V Lapu-Lapu, along with three Philippine Navy and Coast Guard support

vessels were approximately 60 nautical miles of Ayungin Shoal. He said the PLAN and CCG vessels illegally hindered the Philippine vessels from conducting “a sovereign and legitimate mission to deliver supplies and rotate the personnel manning BRP Sierra Madre.” He said the Chinese interference involved continuous radio calls and monitoring, and the foreign maritime forces got near the Philippine ships. “These actions are irresponsible, are reckless and are inconsistent with applicable provisions of COLREGs (the International Regulations for Prevent-

ing Collisions at Sea) and UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea), as well as the Philippines’ rights affirmed by the 2016 Arbitral Award. Given the possibility of escalation that could endanger our personnel and vessels, the RoRe mission was temporarily suspended,” he said. “We call on the PLAN and CCG to cease these dangerous actions and exercise restraint. The safety of our personnel remains paramount, nevertheless these actions will not deter the AFP from performing its mission,” he reiterated. The National Task Force for the West

Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) on Friday denounced the interference on the RoRe mission, saying the interference “put Filipino personnel at risk and obstructed a legitimate humanitarian and sustainment operation.” “The NTF-WPS calls on the CCG and the PLAN to immediately cease interfering with lawful Philippine RoRe missions. The Philippines will continue to conduct lawful operations in the WPS and exercise its sovereign rights and jurisdiction in accordance with international law,” it said in a statement. With Rex Espiritu

NEWS

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2026

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

MANILA’S TOURISM EXPO.

Manila Mayor Francisco Moreno Domagoso, together with Vice Mayor Chi Atienza, Manila City Tourism head and Midfest founding director Archie Dimaala, leads the ribbon-cutting marking the launch of the city’s new tourism branding, “Manila, My Manila,” during the opening of the city’s first-ever Tourism Expo on Friday, September 25, at the Foro de Intramuros. Running until Sept. 27, the three-day expo features 85 exhibitors showcasing products, services, and artworks highlighting Manila’s culture, food, arts, and tourism destinations. Norman Cruz

‘Repay public trust with hard work’ E XECUTIVE Secretary Ralph Recto rallied employees of the Office of the President to repay the public’s trust with honest work and “good results that Filipinos can feel.”

“Work efficiently, serve honestly, and always remember who we work for,” Recto said at a ceremony honoring employees for their achievements and years of service held on Thursday, September 24. He said Filipinos look to the government for help when they need it most. “Every task in the Office of the Presi-

dent is an opportunity to answer that trust with action,” he said. Recto also said as civil servants, they are expected “to act as professionals, not as partisans.” “The presidency is that privileged conduit through which one’s skills can be used to serve the people, “ he said. The ceremony recognized 15 em-

to thanked 20 loyalty awardees who have served for 30 to 45 years. Also commended were 19 retirees, “who through multiple administrations responded to the demands of the OP, through years of changes and challenges.” Recto also honored the families of the recipients of the Pamana ng Paglilingkod: former Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile, Rolito Rodriguez of the Presidential Human Rights Committee Secretariat, and Joven Rodil of the Engineering Office. Recalling his years working with En-

Congress okays P643.9-b budget for DPWH in ‘27

TO THE RESCUE.

Workers of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority loaded modular floating pontoons for delivery to the collapsed Aquino Bridge in Tarlac caused by heavy rains. The equipment, including rubber boats, throw ropes, and life jackets, will be used to assist residents affected by the incident. Manny Palmero

By Vito Barcelo THE House of Representatives on Thursday approved the proposed P643.95-billion- budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways for 2027, after nearly five hours of deliberations. Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon said more than 11,000 projects would be posted on the DPWH Transparency Portal for public review. Project requirements would also be made available online, he said. Dizon said the projects underwent evaluation before being included in the proposed budget. The documents are intended to show the basis and requirements for each project. The proposed allocation is about 21.3 percent higher than the DPWH’s P530.90-billion-allocation under the 2026 national budget. About P83.84 billion is proposed for local flood-mitigation projects, while P19 billion is earmarked for ongoing foreign-assisted flood-mitigation projects, according to House budget documents. Navotas City Rep. Toby Tiangco supported the transparency measures. Minority Floor Leader Marcelino Libanan said the budget gives priority to projects based on identified local

rile as a fellow legislator, Recto said he had learned much from the late Senator. He likewise paid tribute to Rodriguez and Rodil for the time, skill and effort they gave in service of the country. “Position is temporary, titles disappear, honor can run out of style, but good and honest service will stay for a lifetime,” Recto stressed. That service, he said, lives on in stronger institutions, in younger colleagues inspired to do better, and in the Filipinos whose lives their work has helped improve.

IN BRIEF 2 fallen Army soldiers given military honors THE Philippine Army’s 6th Infantry Division and Joint Task Force Central honored two soldiers who were shot dead in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte on Sepe. 23. Corporals Jobert Labuson and John Mark Dumaguing of the 7th Infantry Battalion, were posthumously awarded military honors during a ceremony at the Camp Siongco. Brig. Gen. Ricky Bunayog, acting commander of 6ID/JTF Central, led the ceremony with senior division officials. The Armed Forces of the Philippines also provided immediate financial assistance to the bereaved families, according to the 6ID. Bunayog also assured the families that they would pursue those responsible for the shooting. Rex Espiritu

NFBM rejects DOE’s nuclear energy plan THE Nuclear-Free Bataan Movement (NFBM) has rejected the Department of Energy’s nuclear energy roadmap, saying the country should instead focus on renewable energy and stronger power infrastructure. The coalition of grassroots groups, environmental advocates and civil society organizations said opposition to nuclear power is based on the country’s experience with the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP). The group said the BNPP cost the Filipino people more than $2 billion but never generated electricity, while leaving the country with a long-term debt burden. NFBM also criticized the government’s planned public consultations on nuclear energy, saying communities should be given enough time to participate in discussions about projects that could affect their safety and environment. Butch Gunio

Kalinga sees integrated managing of Chico River THE provincial government of Kalinga highlighted an integrated approach to managing the Chico River watershed during the first project advisory committee (PAC) meeting of the Governance for Climate and Disaster Resilience (Gov-CDR) Project recently at Discovery Suites in Ortigas Center. The approach combines environmental protection, disaster resilience, and sustainable development through the Chico River Integrated Development System (CRIDS), bringing together participating provincial governments, national government agencies, and development partners to discuss project updates, emerging policies, and areas for collaboration in addressing climate and disaster risks. Kalinga Gov. James Edduba said lessons from a recent technical learning exchange with the government of Canada could be adapted to the province, particularly practices of First Nations communities that emphasize respect, reciprocity, and responsibility toward land, water, ecosystems, and future generations. Dexter A. See

NCRPO posts anti-crime gains over 4 months under new leader By Vince Lopez THE National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) on Friday recorded a significant decline in eight focus crimes during the first month under the watch of Brig. Gen. Christopher Abrahano who said sustaining the gains “remains the bigger challenge.” Abrahano said the figures reflected the

collective efforts of NCRPO personnel, but should not be a reason for complacency in line with the orders of Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. for police to continue intensifying campaigns against activities that poses threat to public-safety. “These results are encouraging, but there is still much to do. Our responsi-

PNP broadens probe on robbery heists

By Vince Lopez

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) directed its police regional offices in Luzon to examine recent robbery cases involving convenience stores for possible connections to four suspects arrested after a heist in Trece Martires City, Cavite. This is in line with the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., through the guidance of Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla, to intensify the campaign against criminality, strengthen inter-agency coordination, and ensure the swift arrest of offenders through effective intelligence and law enforcement operations. PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez, Jr. issued the directive following the arrest of an Army corporal who turned out to be on AWOL, along with three others.

They were collared by police operatives around 3:40 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 24, at a hotel in Barangay 8, Catanauan, Quezon after being linked to the robbery of a DALI convenience store in Trece Martires City on Sept. 23. Investigators traced their movements through CCTV footage and coordinated with Quezon police after receiving information about armed and suspicious men staying at a hotel in Catanauan. According to police, the suspects admitted their participation in the Trece Martires City robbery. “We will look into how the group operated, where they obtained their firearms, and whether their actions were connected to other incidents. Any skills or training acquired in the service must never be used to harm the public or violate the law,” Nartatez stressed.

bility is not only to bring crime down, but to sustain these gains and continuously address the threats that affect our communities,” Abrahano said. The police performance goes beyond statistics, according to Abrahano. “What matters to me is not only what the numbers tell us, but what our people feel in their communities. We want

our citizens to feel safe when they leave their homes, go to work, send their children to school, use public spaces, and return to their families,” he said. The NCRPO chief said every reduction in crime represents people and communities being spared from harm, making sustained crime prevention and police visibility essential.

PADLOCKED.

The Department of Migrant Workers closes five placement agencies in Pasig City and Baguio City linked to the AUSPHIN group for alleged complicity in illegal recruitment, including collection of excessive placement fees to applicants who were promise monthly wages of P200,000 to P250,000. DMW photo

OPINION

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2026

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

EDITORIAL

The resilience reservoir

Honor Blanco Cabie

Trunks of truth in a digital desert WASHINGTON, DC -- While the younger generation of Filipinos and Americans remain hopelessly trapped in the endless loop of Tik Tok algorithms, viral outrage, and ephemeral internet trends, a quiet sanctuary of profound cultural permanence has engaged in the US capital. At the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, an exhibition corner dedicated to Filipino immigrants serves as a powerful antidote to today’s digital superficiality. The showcase, titled “How Can You Forget Me: Filipino American Stories,” features decades-old trunks once owned by members of Legionarios del Trabajo. These physical containers are not merely archival storage units. They are sacred vessels of our collective memory and enduring historical identity. For an internet-bound generation that measures existence in views, likes, and momentary digital presence, these weathered trunks stand as heavy, concrete proof of tangible sacrifice. Inside them lie handwritten letters, fading photographs, work tools, and old pay stubs that tell a grit-stained story of survival. The symbolism of the exhibition corner is anchored heavily on the reality that our forebears built legacies with raw calluses, not curated aesthetics. These immigrants, like Bernardo, Silvestre, Anastacio, Marcos, and Tito, left the Philippines in the first quarter of the 20th century, braving the scorching sugar and pineapple fields of Hawaii before moving on to cultivate California’s San Joaquin Valley. While modern youth cycle through volatile online discourse, these historical artifacts stand silent, reminding us of the basic pillars that allow the diaspora to stand tall today. The exhibit acts as a cultural anchor, refusing to let the struggles of early “manongs” -- from the Spanish hermano for brothers used in the Ilocos -be wasted away by the transient tides of the internet age. The relevance of this Smithsonian display cannot be overstated in a time when history is often reduced to a polarizing one-sentence caption online. It forces the younger generation to look offline and reckon with the hard truth that their current privileges were brought by sweat, systemic discrimination, and unparalleled resilience. The contrast is sharp between a demographic obsession over the latest on-

line viral trend and the early immigrants who focused simply on surviving harsh racial and economic terrain. Each artifact represents a chapter of displacement, longing, and an unwavering commitment to keeping the homeland alive in a foreign country. It underscores a profound lesson: while social media feeds reset every few seconds, the history etched into these archives remains permanently unshakeable.

—“—

The symbolism of the exhibition corner is anchored heavily in the reality that our forebears built legacies with raw calluses, not curated aesthetics. By anchoring our narrative inside America’s premier cultural institution, the exhibition officially legitimizes the Filipino footprint in the grand tapestry of American history. It serves as an open invitation for young Filipino-Americans to step away from their true, un-emojified roots. In the end, the display proves that our identity is not defined by fleeting online algorithms, but by the deep, indelible marks left by those who paved the way. In a beautiful alignment of historical preservation across the miles, this longoverdue spotlight on our labor pioneers extends beyond the capital. The Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum launched this year its own dedicated Sakadas corner, a special exhibition set to run for three years starting in 2026. The localized showcase honors the contract workers who formed the backbone of every agricultural expansion, ensuring their stories are pursued well into the future. We must fiercely guard these physical records of our ancestral journey, lest we allow our rich heritage to be completely swallowed by a digital void. Let our young log off, step into these museums, and realize that the greatest stories of validation are already written in the dust of these trunks.

Rebellious Afghan taxi drivers defy ban on music By Qubad Wali KABUL — Taxi drivers in Afghanistan are turning on the tunes in their cars, defying a ban imposed by the Taliban government despite the fear of getting caught by morality police. The music that used to flow constantly out of restaurants, cafes and shops in the capital Kabul has been muted for five years, replaced only by religious or patriotic songs supported by the Taliban authorities in power since 2021. But taxi drivers such as Roeen have started playing Afghan and regional folk or pop music, which they quickly turn off when security forces may be around. “At every checkpoint we pass, we lower the volume of the music or even turn it off completely... so I don’t get into trouble with them,” said Roeen, who gave only his first name for security reasons. The ban on music in public places is imposed by the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice (PVPV) Ministry, whose morality police roam the city wearing long white coats. PVPV regulations state that “since music is forbidden and causes annoyance to passengers, drivers must refrain from playing or listening to it”. The ministry did not respond when asked to comment on punishments Afghans face for playing music, but those breaching their various other rules risk being jailed. Roeen said PVPV officials have “a lot of authority.” “We’re definitely too afraid of them to be able to listen to music at a higher volume,” he told AFP in his sky blueand-white taxi. Driving through the heavy traffic and

noisy roads of Kabul, Roeen said he has “become 10 times more interested in music” since the ban. “I have to make sure that even if I can’t listen in the early morning, by eight o’clock my music is on,” he said. In a country where various forms of entertainment including cinema are outlawed, listening to music constantly is a “form of protest” for the 28-year-old driver.

—“—

The morality police have been known to take headphones out of Afghans’ ears to check if they are listening to music. ‘Stress’ and no headphones Another taxi driver, who requested anonymity for security reasons, told AFP he only listens to music when he is alone in his car and surrounded by the noise of other vehicles. “Before, whenever a person wanted, they could listen without any worry or stress. But now... personally I listen -but with some stress,” he said in his car that had a radio player with a USB slot. The 32-year-old has been stopped twice at checkpoints for having a USB stick and a memory card. “I didn’t lie -- I said it has music, and they broke it,” he said. “Afghan culture should not vanish, and music is one of the cultures of our people. Personally, I don’t want this culture to disappear.”

ES, Typhoon Ketsana (local name Ondoy) slammed into the Philippines on Sept. 26, 2009.

The catastrophic storm left 464 people dead and displaced nearly half a million citizens into crowded evacuation centers. It inflicted a staggering P11 billion in damage to crucial infrastructure and vital agricultural crops across rice-rich Central Luzon. In the face of such overwhelming devastation, the characteristic resilience of the Filipino people shone through as communities instantly mobilized to rescue and support one another. Nearly two decades later, that same endurance is tested anew by rising floodwaters that recently submerged communities south and north of the capital, including the metropolis, where 13 million people live. But public frustration has

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Ultimately, true resilience lies in legally securing the honest governance Filipinos rightfully deserve Citizens are no longer content with just surviving. Instead, they are actively demanding transparency and national accountability for leadership.

LET me get this straight. A 20-year-old kid walks into the Department of Energy in 2013 and walks out with more than 30 renewable energy service contracts. His mother just happened to be a sitting senator. And now, 13 years later, the Office of the Ombudsman wants to know whether this was really good entrepreneurship or something that smells like a three-day-old fish left in a Manila attic. The Legarda camp’s response? “Waste of prosecution resources.” Ah yes. The classic “nothing to see here, move along” defense. Because when you’re a political dynasty with 30 years of unblemished public service, apparently the burden of proof shifts entirely to the prosecution. What’s absurd is that the spokesperson is simultaneously arguing that no government money was stolen, that the votes were unanimous, that the son is a successful businessman, and that 90 percent of his renewable energy initiatives failed. All in the same breath. Pick a lane, counselor. Tony La Viña wants us to believe that because the solar projects were privately financed, there’s no crime. This is legally illiterate nonsense dressed up in a barong. RA 3019 (The Anti-graft and Corrupt Practices Act), Section 3(e) doesn’t require stolen government money. It requires giving a private party an unwarranted benefit, advantage, or preference. You can give someone the moon without spending a peso from the Treasury. And what exactly was given here? According to the Ombudsman, Leviste’s companies accumulated 11,427 megawatts of renewable energy contracts—representing 64 percent of all terminated capacity in the DOE’s 20242025 cleanup. That’s not a market participant. That’s a monopoly in waiting. That’s one guy holding the keys to more than half the country’s renewable energy pipeline while his mother chaired a Senate committee that oversees the budget of the agencies regulating his business. But sure, nothing to see here. The Legarda camp’s crown jewel is that she abstained from the 2019 vote on her son’s 25-year congressional franchise under RA 11357, the Solar Para sa Bayan Franchise Act. She even said she did it out of delicadeza—that quaint Filipino concept of propriety that apparently only applies when someone is watching. How noble. How utterly, le-

La Viña boldly declares: “Walang so-called 24 billion or 10 billion. Not a single document asking him to pay for that.” Except the Department of Energy under Secretary Sharon Garin has assessed P24 billion in performance bonds and contractual obligations against Solar Philippines. And as of September 2026, the government had recovered wait for it P80 million. That’s 0.33 percent of the assessed amount. Less than one percent. After months of “enforcement.” So either the P24 billion figure is fabricated political persecution, or the government is spectacularly incompetent at collecting debts. La Viña can’t have it both ways. If the debt doesn’t exist, why is the Office of the Solicitor General handling civil recovery? If it does exist, why is the collection rate worse than a sari-sari store’s utang ledger? Meanwhile, Legarda has been on medical leave since August 3, 2026, with extensions piling up like unpaid DOE penalties. Leviste secured a two-month travel authority from July 26 to September 24. Both are reportedly in France. The Ombudsman has openly speculated about asylum. Nothing says “innocent” quite like fleeing to a country with no extradition treaty for plunder. The Ombudsman’s spokesperson put it diplomatically: “If you are out of the

country, it adds to the speculation or adds to the suspicion.” Let me translate: Flight is evidence of guilt under Rule 130, Section 34 of the Rules on Evidence. The defense can call it “medical treatment” all they want, but the optics are terrible. You don’t need a law degree to understand that running away from an investigation looks like running away. La Viña calls the investigation “classic lawfare” and “political persecution.” But the solar controversy predates Leviste’s whistleblower turn. The DOE’s P24 billion assessment was announced in January 2026. The Ombudsman investigation was underway before the political narrative shifted. And the DOE is an independent executive agency, not the Ombudsman’s puppet. Is political persecution possible? Sure. Philippine politics is a blood sport. But calling every investigation “persecution” is the last refuge of the genuinely guilty. If Leviste has nothing to hide, he should open the books, produce the documents, and let the chips fall. Instead, his lawyer is on radio complaining about “waste of prosecution resources.” I’m not declaring Legarda and Leviste guilty. That’s for the Sandiganbayan to decide, if it ever gets that far. But the Legarda camp’s public defense isn’t a legal argument. It’s a PR campaign designed to muddy the waters, shift the burden of proof, and convince the public that any investigation of a political family is inherently illegitimate. The facts on the record tell a different story: 30-plus contracts to a 20-yearold, 64 percent of terminated renewable capacity, P24 billion in assessed penalties, 0.33 percent collected, 90 percent project failure rate, both targets abroad during investigation, and a corporate restructuring that defies simple explanation. If this were anyone else a businessman without a Senator mother the Ombudsman wouldn’t be accused of persecution. The accused would be in jail. But in the Philippines, political families play by different rules. And when the rules start to apply, they scream persecution. The Ombudsman should proceed. The defense should return. The books should be opened. And the public should remember: when someone says “nothing to see here,” that’s usually when you should look hardest.

As part of their crackdown on banned music, the PVPV’s provincial departments occasionally report burning instruments. No figures are available on how many they have seized, according to ministry spokesman Saiful Islam Khyber. Across the capital, residents use shared taxis as an affordable way to get around a city which lacks a proper public transport system. Often, two passengers sit alongside

the driver in the front, three are in the back, and sometimes someone rides in the open boot. Shamsullah Ahmad, a master’s student, spoke to AFP while waiting for a taxi near his university. “I prefer to listen to music every day; whenever I go to any destination, I try to check if the taxi has a music player,” said the 29-year-old. “I prefer music in the car, because wearing headphones would be noticed,

but in the car, even with lower volume is better than nothing,” Ahmad said. The morality police have been known to take headphones out of Afghans’ ears to check if they are listening to music. Roeen, the driver, misses the days when “we could listen to songs, dance, and celebrate, and no one would stop us.” But now the city is “shrouded in darkness -- a darkness devoid of any light,” he said, above the din of growling engines. AFP

gally, incomplete. The Ombudsman isn’t alleging she voted for the franchise. The Ombudsman is alleging she participated in a conspiracy to secure exclusive government rights over the country’s solar energy resources through legislative and regulatory actions. The vote is one data point. What about the committee hearings? The informal conversations? The budget oversight that kept the DOE pliant? You don’t need to cast a vote to pull strings. You just need to be the person everyone knows not to cross. And here’s the beautiful irony: the franchise was enacted in April 2019—right before Legarda’s term ended on June 30, 2019. A parting gift, perhaps? The timing is chef’s kiss for skeptics.

—“—

In the Philippines, political families play by different rules.

Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser

Emil P. Jurado+ Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

ROLANDO G. ESTABILLO Publisher

can be accessed at: manilastandard.net

MEMBER

—“—

The solar scandal that won’t go away

Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno

Published Monday to Sunday by Philippine Manila Standard Publishing Inc. at 6/F Universal Re Building, 106 Paseo de Roxas, corner Perea St., Legaspi Village, Makati City. Telephone numbers 8-5646225 and 8-5646229 (connecting all departments), (Editorial) 832-5554, (Advertising) 832-5550. P.O. Box 2933, Manila Central Post Office, Manila. Website: www.manilastandard.net

boiled over upon revelations that these modern disasters all worsened by suspected “ghost” flood control projects that exist only on paper.

The public is keenly watching the slow-moving wheels of justice, eager to see the genuinely guilty parties exposed and penalized. Taxpayers want full assurances that public funds will actually build physical shields against future climate disasters rather than lining deep pockets. Amid the fierce outrage, the legal system must steadfastly maintain its rigorous basic principles. It remains important to remember that public accusations and fiery allegations do not automatically equate to a legal conviction. Justice requires airtight, unassailable evidence to ensure the rule of law prevails over emotional trials by publicity. Ultimately, true resilience lies not in just surviving nature’s fury, but in legally securing the honest governance Filipinos rightfully deserve.

Mario R. Policarpio Jr. Head - Finance

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Honor Blanco Cabie

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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2026

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Rich nations should foot climate bill–Nepal minister NEW YORK – Wealthy nations must do their fair share to help countries that are least responsible for the climate crisis, yet bear its brunt, Nepal’s foreign minister told Agence France-Presse. The Himalayan nation suffered one of the worst catastrophes in its history late last month when a tsunami-like flood, triggered by a high-altitude glacial mountain collapse along the Nepal-China border, cut a swathe of destruction. More than 1,400 people died, 6,000 are still missing, and the economic devastation runs in the billions of dollars. “What we’re trying to convey to the world is this: these issues of

climate change are not theoretical anymore,” Minister of Foreign Affairs Shisir Khanal said in an interview at Nepal’s permanent mission, during the United Nation’s high-level week. “These are becoming real, and the frequency of such disasters are likely to happen more often over the next few years as the temperature rises, as the glaciers melt.” Scientists from the World Weather Attribution (WWA) have described the event as a “compound crisis” in which local geological instability combined with long-term warming that has led to glacier retreat and permafrost thaw. AFP

Career Opportunities in 3M Service Center APAC, Inc. Position title: INSIDE SALES REPRESENTATIVE (THAI) Vacancy (1) JOB DESCRIPTION • • • • • • • •

Trump hosts Xi for dinner as pomp masks tensions

ASHINGTON – US President Donald Trump hosted Chinese leader Xi Jinping for a lavish state dinner at the White House on Thursday (Friday, Manila time), after a day of pomp and ceremony that masked deep tensions between the rival superpowers.

Numerous US tech titans attended the banquet, including Tesla’s Elon Musk, Apple’s Tim Cook, Nvidia’s Jensen Huang and Sam Altman of OpenAI, underscoring that trade and artificial intelligence were high on the agenda for Xi’s visit. Protesters gathered outside the White House as Trump and his wife Melania welcomed Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan for din-

ner, chanting slogans including “Xi Jinping is not welcome” and “Free Hong Kong,” Agence France-Presse reporters witnessed. Earlier in the day, Trump proclaimed that he and Xi had made “tremendous strides” as he laid on pageantry including a military parade, a flyover and a tour of his new White House helipad. “President Xi and I both understand that

Grow 3M TEBG business through telephone sales Attain set outbound call activity in conjunction with expectations of the Inside Sales organization Responds to inbound customer inquiries and warm leads to provide solutions to end user Develop strategic approaches with the business area to attain sales quota, sales quality and sales productivity metrics Establishes and maintains customer contacts and relationships. Understands the customer’s business and applications to inﬂuence key decision makers Manage and analyze customer data, perform market and competition analysis Proficient in identifying market trends and account needs reacting to market activity and reach favorable sales goals Maintain and update a working Sales Plan with strategies and tactics to achieve annual sales forecast

REVERENCE.

QUALIFICATION: • Possess a bachelor’s or associate degree or equivalent experience • Minimum of one (1) year of combined experience in sales and/or customer service is required • Fluent in English and Thai, with strong skills in writing, listening, reading, and speaking

Devotees carry an idol of the Hindu deity Ganesha for immersion in the Arabian sea during the ‘Ganesh Chaturthi’ festival in Mumbai, India on Friday, September 25, 2026. AFP

Applications may be sent to: Name of Company HR: JOHANNA MARIE R. SABATER Email address: jrsabater@mmm.com Name of foreign national intending to apply for the position

Company/ Employer Company Name: 3M Service Center APAC, Inc Complete Address: 18th, 19th, Floors Bonifacio Stopover Corporate Center, E-Square Information Technology Park Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City 1634 Nature Of Business: A domestic corporation engage in Shared Services.

we represent different systems, but the ties between our people endure,” Trump said at the dinner. But Xi took a more restrained tone, calling for China and the United States to “coexist in peace” even as he laid down Beijing’s red lines on AI, Taiwan and the Iran war. He continued the theme in his dinner remarks, saying: “China and the United States must act as responsible major countries.” Trump presented Xi with a gift of a custommade statue of a bald eagle – the national symbol of the United States. Guests dined on yellow squash velouté, sesame crusted sea bass, and vanilla cremeux with White House honey ice cream. The 80-year-old US president invited guests to tour the building site of his new $400 million ballroom after the dinner, saying: “In honor of you, you’ll be the first people to step foot on that.” AFP

Name: Angsumalee Phubanrattanakul Address: Makati City Nationality: Thai Intended Period of Employment: Two (2) year/s

3M Service Center APAC, Inc. hereby declares that the above-named foreign national is able, willing, and qualified to perform the services and job description for this position. The company has the intention to employ the said foreign national and apply for an Alien Employment Permit with the Department of Labor and Employment National Capital Region located at 967 Maligaya Street, Malate, Manila. Career Opportunity in CONCENTRIX CVG PHILIPPINES, INC. Qualification (Education, Experience, Professional License, Skills Certification, Specialized Training): • Bachelor's Degree in related field from a four-year college or university • Minimum of 5 years of leadership experience managing Training and/or Quality teams. • Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal. Ability to effectively present information to internal and external associates • Demonstrated ability to organize and prioritize projects in a fast-paced and deadline-oriented business environment • Demonstrated ability to take initiative and ownership with focus on continuous improvement • Solid understanding of the organization's business operations and industry. Demonstrated business acumen Applications may be sent to: PH_QC_EASTW_MULTILINGUAL@concentrix. com

Position Title: Sr. Training Manager Job Description: • Maintains appropriate staffing levels according to program requirements • Contributes to the assessment, analysis, planning, design and delivery of training and quality solutions • Acts as a primary point of contact and performance consultant for training and quality functions, partnering with program management within assigned accounts • Develops and cultivates partnership with clients, operations, program management, recruiting and other support functions • Coordinates with learning consultants and curriculum developers to provide learning and non-learning performance solutions • Observes and mentors trainers to maximize their skill sets in training and facilitation and develop their understanding of training processes and methodologies • Attends calibration and operational team meetings as appropriate to ensure understanding of client and operations needs

Name of foreign national intending to apply for the position

Company/ Employer Company Name: Concentrix CVG Philippines, Inc. Complete Address: 10th 11th 12th 14th 15th Floors GBF Center 2 Bridgetowne C5 Road Ugong Norte District 3, Quezon City 1110 Nature of Business: Business to Business IT

Name: Simon Clifford Edgerton Address: Pasig City Nationality: British Intended Period of Employment: Two (2) Years

Company hereby declares that the above-named foreign national is able, willing, and qualified to perform the services and job description for this position. The company has the intention to employ the said foreign national and apply for an Alien Employment Permit with the Bureau of Local Employment (BLE) located at 6th Floor, Banco Filipino Condominium, Solana Street, Intramuros, Manila.

Career Opportunity in Amazon Operation Services Philippines Inc (AOSPI)

Auction sale on October 05, 2026 Alabang Town Center Stall 2074 U/L, 2:00 pm G/F Majalco Bldg. Benavidez St., Legaspi Village, Makati and Makati and 4:00 pm Glorietta 3 Ayala Center Legaspi Village Makati City. All items Pawned May 01-31 , 2026.

Netanyahu hits enemies, allies in fiery speech

UNITED NATIONS – Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, facing a difficult reelection campaign at home, delivered a fiery UN speech Thursday assailing enemies and allies alike – and sparking uproar in the chamber. Locked in a tight race to stay in power in October 27 elections, Netanyahu used the global platform at the UN General Assembly to attack everyone from the leaders of Iran to New York’s first Muslim mayor and partners Britain, France and Turkey. Dozens of envoys from across the world walked out, some jeering and booing, while Netanyahu’s own team stood and applauded, and the speaker of the NOTICE session shouted for order. Notice is hereby given that AIRSTREAM “If there are any other moral RENEWABLES CORP. is applying for registration cowards who haven’t left this with the Board of Investments (BOI) as a Renewable hall, please do so now,” NetanEnergy Developer of Wind Energy Resources (500.000 MW Nueva Ecija Wind Farm Power Project) in the Municipalities of Pantabangan, Rizal, and Bongabon, Nueva Ecija; Municipality of Alfonso Castaneda, Nueva Vizcaya; and Municipality of Maria Aurora, Aurora to avail of the incentives under R.A. No. 9513, otherwise known as the Renewable Energy Act of 2008.

Position title: Investigation Specialist I

Vacancy (1) Vacancy (1) Job Description: Job Description: ➢ ➢ ➢ ➢ ➢

AUCTION SALE ACME PAWNSHOPS INC.

➢ Provides and efficient service to Amazon Sellers, including the appropriate escalation of Sellers’ issues a contact center environment. Provides promptprompt and efficient service to Amazon Sellers, including the appropriate escalation of Sellers’ issues in aincontact center environment. ➢ Maintains a positive and professional demeanor, always portraying the company in a positive while effectively managing sensitive issues. Maintains a positive and professional demeanor, always portraying the company in a positive lightlight while effectively managing sensitive issues. ➢ Demonstrates excellent time-management andability the ability to work independently using departmental resources, policies , and procedures. Demonstrates excellent time-management skills skills and the to work independently whilewhile using departmental resources, policies , and procedures. Maintains acceptable performance metrics such as quality, productivity, first contact resolution, and and attendance . . ➢ Maintains acceptable performance metrics such as quality, productivity, first contact resolution, attendance Actively seeks seeks solutions through logicallogical reasoning and data skillsskills , and, and identifies trends to the appropriate channel, including improvement ➢ Actively solutions through reasoning and interpretation data interpretation identifies trends to the appropriate channel, including improvement suggestions suggestions

yahu told those turning their backs on him. He lashed out at New York’s popular, leftist Mayor Zohran Mamdani as “antisemitic” and claimed that “since you were elected mayor of this city, many Jews no longer feel safe.” Mamdani had threatened to execute an ICC arrest warrant against Netanyahu, before conceding he did not have the authority. The Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC) said in 2024 it had reasonable grounds to believe Netanyahu was responsible for war crimes in the Gaza campaign, which responded to Hamas’s deadly October 7, 2023 attacks. Netanyahu denies the ICC claims. “Netanyahu used his speech to repeat baseless lies meant to sanitize his genocide of Palestinians,” Mamdani said in response. “Yet no lie can change the fact that he remains the subject of an International Criminal Court arrest warrant alleging war crimes and crimes against humanity.” AFP

Any person with valid objection/s on the abovementioned project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication.

Interpersonal skills, with ability to communicate complex transactional issues correctly and and clearly to both internal andand external customers. ➢ Interpersonal skills,the with the ability to communicate complex transactional issues correctly clearly to both internal external customers. Clear, crisp, and proactive documentation of operational procedures required to tackle known risk-related patterns. ➢ Clear, crisp, and proactive documentation of operational procedures required to tackle known risk-related patterns. Problem-solving skills, having demonstrated ability to recognize non-obvious patterns and analyze problems logically. ➢ Problem-solving skills, having demonstrated ability to recognize non-obvious patterns and analyze problems logically. Self-disciplined, diligent, proactive, and detail-oriented, impacting time management and organizational skills. ➢ Self-disciplined, diligent, proactive, and detail-oriented, impacting time management and organizational skills. Proven ability to work in fast-paced, dynamic environments where decisions are made without compromising on customer experience and financial ➢ Proven ability to work in fast-paced, dynamic environments where decisions are made without compromising on customer experience and financial losses.

(SGD.) FRANCIS M. PEÑAFLOR Acting Director Resource-Based Industries Service

losses.

Applications may be sent to: Applications may be sent to: Name of Company HR: Ivanka Patricia Quinial Name of https://www.amazon.jobs/en/search Company HR: Ivanka Patricia Quinial Email address:

Email address: https://www.amazon.jobs/en/search Company/ Employer

Name of foreign national intending to apply for the position

Company/ Employer

Name of foreign national intending to apply for the position

Company Name:

Name: Thi Kim Thuy Nguyen

Company Name: Amazon Operation Services Philippines Inc (AOSPI)

Name: Shulan CaiCity Address: Paranaque

Amazon Operation Services Philippines Inc (AOSPI) Complete address:

Address: Manila City Nationality: Vietnamese

Complete address: Unit No. 2C, Flr. no. 4th, One E-Com Bldg., Ocean Drive, Mall of Asia Complex St., Zone 10, Barangay 076, District 1, Pasay City, Metro Manila, Unit No. 2C, Flr. no. 4th, One E-Com Bldg., Ocean Drive, Mall of Asia NCR, 1300

Intended period of employment: two (2) years Nationality: Chinese

NOTICE

Intended period of employment: two (2) years

Complex St., Zone 10, Barangay 076, District 1, Pasay City, Metro Manila,

NatureNCR, of business: AOSPI is a corporation organized under Philippine 1300 laws. It is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Nature of business: AOSPI isNo. a corporation organized under Philippine under SEC Certificate of Registration CS201722700. It is authorized to It isservices, registered with thebut Securities andto Exchange Commission (SEC) providelaws. support including not limited remote technical support services, IT SEC development, support, customer care under Certificate ofcustomer Registration No. CS201722700. It is services, authorized to business process outsourcing, back-office (including buttechnical not limited provide support services, including butsupport not limited to remote support to systems, hardware, software, financial operations, management, services, IT development, customer support, vendor customer care services, and human resources relating to back-office the back-office), other but activities business process outsourcing, support and (including not limited necessary or usefulhardware, thereto, as well asfinancial marketing support activities, without to systems, software, operations, vendor management, engaging retail trade, the practice of a or actingand as an Internet andin human resources relating toprofession, the back-office), other activities Service Provider.

necessary or useful thereto, as well as marketing support activities, without

engaging in retail trade, the practice a profession, or declares acting asthat an Internet Amazon Operation Services Philippines Incof(AOSPI). hereby the above-named foreign national is able, willing, and qualified to perform the Service Provider. services and job description for this position. The company has the intention to employ the said foreign national and apply for an Alien Employment Permit with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Central Office, DOLE Building, Muralla Wing corner, General Luna Street, Intramuros, Amazon Services Philippines Inc (AOSPI). hereby declares that the above-named foreign national is able, willing, and qualified to perform the Manila, 1002,Operation Philippines

services and job description for this position. The company has the intention to employ the said foreign national and apply for an Alien Employment Permit

Any Filipino jobseeker is competent, able,6F and willing to perform services for which the intended to be hired may file an objection with the Bureau who of Local Employment, First Intramuros BFthe Condominium, Solana St.foreign cor. A.national SorianoisAve., Intramuros, Manila at the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Central Office, DOLE Building, Muralla Wing corner, General Luna Street, Intramuros, Manila, 1002, Philippines, after this who publication. Please inform Department Labor and for Employment – NCR national if you have any information onmay criminal offenses Any Filipino jobseeker is competent, able and the willing to performofthe services which the foreign is intended to be hired file an objection committed by the of foreign at Bureau Localnational Employment, 6F First Intramuros BF Condominium, Solana St. cor. A. Soriano Ave., Intramuros, Manila, after this publication.

Please inform the Department of Labor and Employment – NCR, if you have any information on criminal offenses committed by the foreign national

Career Opportunity in Amazon Operation Services Philippines IncInc (AOSPI) Career Opportunity in Amazon Operation Services Philippines (AOSPI)

Notice is hereby given that AIRSTREAM RENEWABLES CORP. is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as a Renewable Energy Developer of Wind Energy Resources (600.000 MW Pangasinan Wind Farm Power Project) in the Municipalities of Labrador, Mabini, Infanta, and Bugallon, Pangasinan; and Municipality of Santa Cruz, Zambales to avail of the incentives under R.A. No. 9513, otherwise known as the Renewable Energy Act of 2008. Any person with valid objection/s on the abovementioned project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication.

ÊÊ

(SGD.) FRANCIS M. PEÑAFLOR Acting Director Resource-Based Industries Service

Position title:title: Investigation Specialist I I Position Investigation Specialist Vacancy (1) (1) Vacancy Job Job Description: Description: ➢ ➢

Provides prompt and efficient service to Amazon Sellers, including the appropriate escalation of Sellers’ issues in a contact center environment. ➢ Provides prompt and efficient service to Amazon Sellers, including the appropriate escalation of Sellers’ issues in a contact center environment. Maintains a positive and professional demeanor, always portraying the company in a positive light while effectively managing sensitive issues.

➢ Maintains a positive and professional demeanor, always portraying the company in a positive light while effectively managing sensitive issues. 565430658-v1\AP_DMS 1 ➢ Demonstrates excellent time-management skills and the ability to work independently while using departmental resources, policies , and procedures. ➢ ➢

➢ Demonstrates excellent time-management skills and the ability to work independently while using departmental resources, policies , and procedures. Maintains acceptable performance metrics such as quality, productivity, first contact resolution, and attendance . ➢ Maintains performance suchand as quality, productivity,skills first contact resolution, and to attendance . Actively seeks acceptable solutions through logicalmetrics reasoning data interpretation , and identifies trends the appropriate channel, including improvement ➢suggestions Actively seeks solutions through logical reasoning and data interpretation skills , and identifies trends to the appropriate channel, including improvement suggestions

565430658-v1\AP_DMS

Qualification (Education, Experience, Professional License, Skills Certification, Specialized Training): Qualification (Education, Experience, Professional License, Skills Certification, Specialized Training): ➢ Interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate complex transactional issues correctly and clearly to both internal and external customers. ➢ Interpersonal skills, withdocumentation the ability to communicate complex transactional correctly clearly to both internal and external customers. ➢ Clear, crisp, and proactive of operational procedures requiredissues to tackle knownand risk-related patterns. ➢ Clear, crisp, and proactive documentationability of operational procedures required to tackle known risk-related ➢ Problem-solving skills, having demonstrated to recognize non-obvious patterns and analyze problemspatterns. logically. ➢ Problem-solving skills, having demonstrated ability toimpacting recognizetime non-obvious patterns analyze problems ➢ Self-disciplined, diligent, proactive, and detail-oriented, management andand organizational skills. logically. ➢ Self-disciplined, proactive, and detail-oriented, time management organizational skills.on customer experience and financial ➢ Proven ability to workdiligent, in fast-paced, dynamic environmentsimpacting where decisions are made and without compromising ➢losses. Proven ability to work in fast-paced, dynamic environments where decisions are made without compromising on customer experience and financial losses. Applications may be sent to: Name of Company HR: Ivanka Applications may bePatricia sent to: Quinial EmailName address: https://www.amazon.jobs/en/search of Company HR: Ivanka Patricia Quinial Email address: https://www.amazon.jobs/en/search

Company/ Employer

Company/ Employer Company Name:

Name of foreign national intending to apply for the position

Name of foreign national intending to apply for the position Name: Zhuocheng Pan

Company Name: Amazon Operation Services Philippines Inc (AOSPI)

Name: Shulan Cai Address: Manila City

Amazon Operation Services Philippines Inc (AOSPI) Complete address:

Address: Manila City Nationality: Chinese

Intended period of employment: two (2) years Unit Complete No. 2C, Flr.address: no. 4th, One E-Com Bldg., Ocean Drive, Mall of Asia Nationality: Chinese Complex St., Zone 10, Barangay 076, District 1, Pasay City, Metro Manila, No. 2C, Flr. no. 4th, One E-Com Bldg., Ocean Drive, Mall of Asia Intended period of employment: two (2) years NCR,Unit 1300 Complex St., Zone 10, Barangay 076, District 1, Pasay City, Metro Manila, Nature of1300 business: AOSPI is a corporation organized under Philippine NCR, laws. It is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Nature of business: AOSPI is aNo. corporation organized Philippine under SEC Certificate of Registration CS201722700. It is under authorized to laws. It is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) provide support services, including but not limited to remote technical support under SEC Certificate of Registration No. CS201722700. is authorized services, IT development, customer support, customer It care services, to provide supportoutsourcing, services, including but not limited(including to remote but technical support business process back-office support not limited services,hardware, IT development, support, customer care services, to systems, software, customer financial operations, vendor management, process outsourcing, support (including but activities not limited and business human resources relating toback-office the back-office), and other to systems, hardware, financial operations, management, necessary or useful thereto,software, as well as marketing supportvendor activities, without and human relating of to a the back-office), and asother activities engaging in retail resources trade, the practice profession, or acting an Internet Service Provider. necessary or useful thereto, as well as marketing support activities, without engaging in retail trade, the practice of a profession, or acting as an Internet Amazon Operation Services Philippines Inc (AOSPI). hereby declares that the above-named foreign national is able, willing, and qualified to perform the Service Provider. services and job description for this position. The company has the intention to employ the said foreign national and apply for an Alien Employment Permit with the Department Labor Philippines and Employment (DOLE) Central Office, Building, Muralla corner, Luna Street,to Intramuros, Amazon Operation of Services Inc (AOSPI). hereby declares thatDOLE the above-named foreign Wing national is able,General willing, and qualified perform the Manila, 1002, services andPhilippines job description for this position. The company has the intention to employ the said foreign national and apply for an Alien Employment Permit with the Bureau of Local Employment, 6F First Intramuros BF Condominium, Solana St. cor. A. Soriano Ave., Intramuros, Manila Any Filipino jobseeker who is competent, able, and willing to perform the services for which the foreign national is intended to be hired may file an objection at the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Central Office, DOLE Building, Muralla Wing corner, General Luna Street, Intramuros, Manila, Any Filipino jobseeker who is competent, able and willing to perform the services for which the foreign national is intended to be hired may file an objection 1002, Philippines, after this publication. Please inform the Department of Labor and Employment – NCR if you have any information on criminal offenses at Bureau of Local Employment, 6F First Intramuros BF Condominium, Solana St. cor. A. Soriano Ave., Intramuros, Manila, after this publication. committed by the foreign national Please inform the Department of Labor and Employment – NCR, if you have any information on criminal offenses committed by the foreign national

NOTICE Notice is hereby given that AIRSTREAM RENEWABLES CORP. is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as a Renewable Energy Developer of Wind Energy Resources (500.000 MW Samar Wind Farm Power Project) in the Municipalities of Rosario, Lavezares, Allen, Victoria, and San Isidro, Northern Samar; and Calbayog City, Samar to avail of the incentives under R.A. No. 9513, otherwise known as the Renewable Energy Act of 2008. Any person with valid objection/s on the abovementioned project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication. (SGD.) FRANCIS M. PEÑAFLOR Acting Director Resource-Based Industries Service

WALKOUT. Some delegates leave as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses the 81st United Nations General Assembly at UN headquarters in New York on September 24, 2026 (Friday, Manila time). AFP

Hopping mad: New health warning on alcohol stirs up Belgian brewers BRUSSELS – In a country famed worldwide for its beer, a proposed tweak to health warnings on adverts for alcoholic drinks has shaken Belgian brewers. The change stirring up their discontent comes down to cutting just one crucial word. The government wants to alter the current warning from “the abuse of alcohol is harmful to your health” to “alcohol is harmful for your health.” For Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke, the move announced in spring – which is still being debated in parliament – is justified by the need to better protect minors and inform adults over the risks of drinking. “Alcohol is harmful. Everyone is free to decide how much they drink, but as public authorities, we want to provide young people and adults with accurate information,” he said in a statement. “That is the aim of this new warning.”

But brewers have railed against a push they say threatens to stigmatize a key sector of Belgium’s economy. Leading the charge has been AB InBev, the world’s biggest beer-maker, which produces local classics such as Stella Artois, Leffe and Hoegaarden. Together with other industry players it has launched a campaign to sway public opinion in the Belgian press. In August, the group took out a full-page ad in local newspapers showing a smiling couple sharing a beer. “What’s wrong with these moments?” read the strapline. An accompanying text took direct aim at the new warning, slamming it for not distinguishing between alcohol abuse and “responsible” drinking. “Belgium has chosen to take aim at its own traditions, which are a source of national pride,” it said. AFP

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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2026

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Gibo lauds Sulu ‘stable peace’ milestone D By Rex Espiritu

EFENSE Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. said Thursday Sulu’s gains in peace and security must be sustained through continued development after the province formally declared a Stable Internal Peace and Security condition.

COUNTERFEIT RICE SACKS. This composite photo from the Philippine National Police shows Central Luzon police officers inspecting some of the 80,000 counterfeit sacks bearing the registered trademark of a rice distribution company. (see story below). PNP PRO3

Chinese, aide nabbed over counterfeit rice sacks By Vince Lopez POLICE on Thursday arrested a Chinese national and a Filipina employee in Bocaue, Bulacan, following a complaint from a rice distribution company regarding over 80,000 counterfeit sacks bearing its registered trademark. Philippine National Police (PNP) Spokesperson Col. Allen Rae Co said the warehouse operator, a Chinese national, and his Filipina secretary were apprehended on the spot during the operation. “They have likely been operating for some time, which is why the trademark owner approached us,” Co said. “These fake sacks are likely sold to repackers who can buy ordinary rice for P1,000 and

resell it for P1,800 simply because of the premium packaging.” Police confiscated 101 bundles containing around 80,800 rice sacks bearing different brands, with an estimated value of P800,000. Co explained that the primary threat stems from what is eventually placed inside the counterfeit packaging. “No consumer buys just an empty sack, so we believe these bags are being filled with unverified rice,” Co said. “Buyers might think they are purchasing premium, jasmine, or pandan rice when they are not. That is why the rights owner sought our assistance to launch the operation.” According to a report submitted to the PNP, the two suspects were arrested for

storing, possessing, and trading the sacks without authorization from the trademark owner. Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Director Maj. Gen. Robert Alexander Morico II emphasized that Republic Act No. 8293, also known as the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines, protects the exclusive rights of creators and businesses. He added that state policy mandates the strict enforcement of intellectual property laws nationwide. The suspects will be charged before the National Prosecution Service with violations of Section 168 on unfair competition, in relation to Section 170 and Section 177 covering economic rights under Republic Act 8293.

GENOMICS FACILITY. Officials and school executives unite as the first agricultural genomics facility in the Philippines launches at the University of the Philippines Los Baños on Monday, Sept. 21. UPLB on FB

The declaration marked a significant milestone in Sulu’s continuing peace and security efforts following years of the province being a stronghold of terrorist and separatist groups. Provincial and local leaders, along with officials from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police and Philippine Coast Guard, signed a memorandum of agreement to maintain peace and security in the province. “This is the greatest gift we can give our children and grandchildren,” Teodoro said, referring to the province’s hard-won peace. He said Sulu’s struggle has shifted to sustaining peace and pursuing development. “Our struggle now is to ensure development and maintain stable internal peace and security,” Teodoro said, underscoring the need for infrastructure, power, connectivity, schools and basic services to preserve the gains of peace. Teodoro joined local officials and stakeholders for the inauguration and unveiling of the Camp AKA marker at the Philippine Army’s 1102nd Infantry Brigade in Luuk. Camp AKA is named after the late Abdurahman K. Arbison, a former mayor of Luuk. The event also included the ceremonial handover of the camp’s land title, the groundbreaking for key infrastructure projects and the recognition of distinguished Army personnel. Teodoro said the AFP’s role in Sulu has evolved with the province’s transformation. “There are two roles. First, to work with local officials to maintain peace, security and stability. The visibility and presence of our troops are necessary, and our reaction time must be honed to the finest degree possible,” he said. “Second, to serve as the logistical depot for sustainable operations in the area,” he added. Teodoro said stronger military infrastructure and logistics would support not only security operations but also humanitarian assistance and disaster response. The DND chief said the AFP now plays a supporting role as other government agencies and local governments take the lead in delivering development and basic services. He identified connectivity as an important part of Sulu’s future development, citing the need to secure critical infrastructure such as fiber-optic networks and power connections across the islands.

DepEd inks P55m IN BRIEF LGU classrooms 198 donors lead ‘Go Wow’ deal with PAGCOR 6th bloodletting in Isabela By Gabriel Oliva THE Department of Education (DepEd) signed a memorandum of agreement with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) on Sept. 24 to modernize public school infrastructure across the country. Under the agreement, PAGCOR will provide P55 million in financial assistance to 38 local government units (LGUs) for the construction of a threestory, 12-classroom school building in each locality. DepEd stated that the partnership aims to resolve two critical challenges facing the basic education system: severe classroom shortages and frequent disruptions caused by extreme weather. Funds will be released in three tranches based on technical compliance and progress monitoring. LGUs will serve as implementing partners, overseeing procurement and construction in compliance with government procurement laws and approved architectural plans. Upon completion at the end of 2027, DepEd will assume full ownership, administrative management, and maintenance responsibilities for the facilities. Education Secretary Sonny Angara identified the classroom shortage as the department’s biggest challenge, noting that aging buildings and annual natural disasters continuously exacerbate the problem. “That is why partners who continuously support this goal mean so much to us,” Angara said.

1st PH agricultural genomics facility opens at UPLB with Korean, IRRI aid

By Gabriel Oliva

THE University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) has opened the Agricultural Genomics Research Center (AGRC), the Philippines’ first agricultural genomics facility. The UPLB established the AGRC in partnership with the Republic of Korea through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). Representatives of the Philippine higher education sector at the event included UP Vice President for Research and Innovation Jose Joseph Marciano, Department of Agriculture-High Value Crops Development Program Undersecretary Cheryll Marie Natividad-Caballero, and Commission on Higher Education Commissioner Ricmar Aquino. South Korea was similarly represented by South Korean Ambassador Lee Dong-

gy and KOICA Country Director Jung Youngsun, along with National Scientist Dolores Ramirez and UPLB Chancellor Jose Camacho Jr. In a statement, UPLB said the AGRC is part of a larger national agricultural project that aims to build up the country’s capacity for agricultural genomics. “It is envisioned to lay the foundation for the genetic identification and improvement of Philippine crops and livestock through training, capacity building, and regional collaboration,” the statement read. According to the university, the facility has also received help from the Department of Science and Technology through the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development, as well as the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development in the form of laboratory equipment donations.

SAN MARIANO, Isabela — A total of 198 donors from towns across Isabela’s second district took part in the sixth annual bloodletting activity on Sept. 22 in Barangay Zone 03. The Go Serbisyo initiative and the Go Wow organization spearheaded the event, held for the sixth year in partnership with Cagayan Valley Medical Center and in cooperation with the San Mariano local government. Over the past six years, Go Wow and Go Serbisyo have made the blood drive an annual tradition of service, bringing together volunteers, medical professionals and local leaders to help maintain a stable blood supply for communities in need. “Every bag of blood offers a second chance at life. For six years, Go Serbisyo and Go Wow have shown that when we unite for a cause, we save lives. This program reflects our commitment to accessible health care and the spirit of communal unity in District 2. That is why we continue to fully support this initiative,” Isabela Rep. Ed Christopher Go said. Jessica M. Bacud

House holds necro rites for Batanes Rep. Gato THE House of Representatives held a necrological service on Friday, Sept. 25, for the late Batanes Rep. Ciriaco “Jun” Gato Jr., honoring a physician-lawmaker who spent decades in medical practice before dedicating his later years to public service and national health policy. Speaker Faustino Dy III and Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander Marcos led members of the 20th Congress in paying their respects to Gato during the service at the House Plenary Hall. Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega V of La Union presided over the rites, which began with a processional led by the Philippine National Police Band. Erwin Vicman Lara delivered the invocation, and Fr. Jenny Capindo gave the final blessing and benediction. During the ceremony, the chamber presented its resolution of condolences, House Resolution 1470, along with legislative memorabilia to Gato’s family. Maricel V. Cruz

Female PAF gunner qualifies for Gatling

‘GO SERBISYO’ BLOODLETTING. A total of 198 donors from towns across Isabela’s second district took part in the sixth annual bloodletting activity Go Serbisyo and Go Wow on Tuesday, Sept. 22. in Barangay Zone 03, San Mariano, Isabela. Jessica Bacud

PHILIPPINE Air Force Sgt. Mariel Barsales has become the first and only female gunner qualified to operate the service’s new Gatling gun system aboard its S-70i Black Hawk helicopters. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. introduced Barsales to the public during a briefing on the assets. Her qualification marks a milestone for the PAF as it introduces the Gatling gun to replace the .50-caliber machine gun currently used aboard the helicopters. The new weapon system is expected to enhance the firepower and operational capability of the PAF’s S-70i Black Hawk fleet. Rex Espiritu

SPORTS

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2026

RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor RANDY M. CALUAG, Asst. Editor

No regrets: Francisco finds pure joy in 4th place Asiad finish By Riera U. Mallari

The Filipina 3x3 dribblers plot a play in this piece of action against Japan. Psc Media Pool

Gilas women nab historic 3x3 silver in Asian Games By Jeremiah Sevilla

AGOYA—(Powered by PLDT Home) Gilas Pilipinas 3x3 women’s team seized a historic silver medal in the 20th Asian Games after taking down Thailand, 13-8, in the semifinals before falling to host Japan, 11-21, in the gold medal match on Friday at the Kinjo Futo Station Square Venue in Nagoya, Japan.

The Gilas Women, bannered by Kacey Dela Rosa, Maria Pasilang, Kennan Ka, and Amyah Espanol, came through with a splashing debut in the Aichi-Nagoya Asiad, giving the Philippines its first 3x3 basketball medal in either men’s or women’s event since the discipline was included in the continental meet

in 2018. Earlier, Gilas Pilipinas 3x3 men’s squad settled for fourth place after losing to Iran, 10-21, in the battle for the bronze medal. Coming off a group sweep and a dominant 22-12 victory over Singapore in the quarterfinals, Gilas Women started the medal round

High fever forces PH bet Wagdos out of Asiad marathon NAGOYA (Powered by PLDT Home)— Philippine marathon record holder Sonny Wagdos has been forced to pull out of Saturday’s Asian Games marathon after being struck down by a high fever. The 32-year-old Philippine Air Force sergeant announced his withdrawal on Facebook, citing difficulties adjusting to the sudden climate shift. “I’m backing out of the marathon category due to high fever. I don’t know why -- maybe it’s hard to adapt to the weather, changing from hot to cold. Sayang talaga preparation namin (Our preparation really went to waste),” Wagdos shared. Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA) Secretary General Jasper Tanhueco revealed that Wagdos had already been battling illness and taking medication prior to flying to Nagoya. “He’s feeling better now, but we consulted with Sonny and Coach Vertek. Of course, the athlete’s well-being is our priority. A marathon is no joke, especially given his current condition,” Tanhueco said. Wagdos shattered the 22-year-old national record earlier this year at the Tokyo Marathon with a time of 2:14:32— surpassing the mark set by his mentor, two-time Olympian Eduardo “Vertek” Buenavista. He was slated to banner the Philippines’ marathon campaign alongside Richard Salano. While sidelined for the 42-kilometer race, Wagdos could still feature in the Games. He remains scheduled to run the men’s 5,000-meter event on September 29, subject to his recovery. Riera U. Mallari

with a hard-fought win over Thailand behind Pasilang and Dela Rosa. Pasilang pumped in five points and seven rebounds while Dela Rosa drilled four markers and three boards as the two combined forces to spark the Philippines’ 9-3 start. Ka chipped in three points and Espanol added a point to go with five boards to help the Filipinas thwart the Thais’ fightback. The Anton Altamirano-coached quartet, however, could not find an answer against the hot-shooting Japanese side, which sank seven of its 16 shots from the two-point range. Dela Rosa dominated inside the paint for six points and three rebounds while Espanol and Ka contributed three and two markers, respectively, in the gold medal match.

Meanwhile, the Gilas Men, composed of Nic Cabañero, Luis Pablo, Doy Dungo, and Koji Buenaflor, was relegated to the bronze medal game after bowing to South Korea, 8-21, in the semis. The South Koreans went on a blistering 15-3 start ignited by Lee Juyeong and Kim Seungwoo while the Filipinos struggled to find the mark to end up in a lopsided loss. Cabañero and the crew were not able to recover in the game against the Iranian squad, which pulled away from an early game en route to claiming the bronze. Still, it was the best finish for the Gilas Men 3x3 in the Asiad, eclipsing the eighth-place performance in the 2023 Hangzhou edition.

NAGOYA (Powered by PLDT Home) -- He may have narrowly missed out on a medal, but veteran Filipino-American skateboarder Jericho “Kiko” Francisco Jr. walked away from the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games with something equally valuable, a competition he genuinely enjoyed. Francisco placed fourth in the Men’s Park Final with a score of 84.41, missing the bronze by just 1.62 points. Japan’s Izuru Nagahara took gold (88.96), followed by Chinese Taipei’s Ku Yong-yan with silver (87.33) and Japan’s Shiji Gunji with bronze (86.03). Despite logging only about 10 hours of practice ahead of the event, the 24-year-old delivered an impressive run and skated without his usual big-event pressure. “I am beyond happy with my performance,” Francisco said. “Dude, I came into this with literally no expectations... For the past 10 years, I’m always nervous and trying to do stuff I don’t want to do. Here, I had total freedom and a lot of fun. Completely. No regrets.” Adding to the special moment, Francisco shared the Asian Games stage with 12-year-old protege Mazel Paris—one of his earliest coaching students at First Class Skate, his skateboarding academy. Paris finished fifth in the Women’s Park Final with an 80.65 mark, just 2.21 points off bronze. Francisco is a two-time SEA Games gold medalist (2019, 2025) and 2024 Paris Olympic Qualifier.

Jericho Francisco now turns his attention to expanding First Class Skate to mentor the next generation of Filipino skaters for international competition. POC Media Pool

Gumbao bags 4 titles; Otoc shines in Palawan jrs netfest JUSTINE Gumbao and Julius Otoc stamped their class in the Palawan Pawnshop’s Kidapawan City Juniors Age-Group Tennis Championships, powering to a combined six titles and emerging as the standout performers of the week-long Group 2 tournament at the Kidapawan courts. Gumbao was particularly dominant, sweeping the girls’ 14-and-under and 16-and-U singles crowns before adding two doubles titles for a rare four-title haul. The top seed in the girls’ division overwhelmed Chandra Felecio, 6-1, 6-3, in the 14-and-U final, then returned to the court to dispatch Marxian Sira, 6-1, 6-0, for the 16-and-U championship. She dropped just 11 games in six singles matches across the two age groups, underlining the gap she created over the field with her aggressive shot-making and relentless pressure. Gumbao completed her four-title sweep in doubles, teaming up with Kathryina Makabangit to whip Sabrina Esiderio and Maurin, 8-1, for the

Justine Gumbao (second from left) and Julius Otoc display their trophies after dominating the Kidapawan junior tennis championships. Joining them are Palawan Pawnshop’s Ronald Barrios (left) and Kidapawan City Tennis Club president Bernie Go (right).

14-and-U crown. She later paired with Clar to rout Gorre and Sira, 8-2, in the 18-and-U final. Otoc matched Gumbao’s dominance in the boys’ division, collecting the 16- and 18-and-U singles titles to share MVP honors with his female counterpart. He first overwhelmed recent Isulan, Sultan Kudarat leg winner Kresthan Belacas, 6-1, 6-1, in the 16-and-U final before turning back Kyle Ramos, 6-4, 6-2, for the 18-and-U championship. Otoc and Belacas later joined forces in the boys’ 18-and-U doubles, where they swept aside Kurt Alcantara and Krisnel Batilo, 8-1. Other singles winners included Kirsten Mae Gorre, who beat Camille Clar, 6-2, 6-2, for the girls’ 18-and-U title; Belacas, who subdued AJ Rabino, 6-3, 6-2, in the boys’ 14-and-U final; Christine Ann Teposo, who blanked Aleushia Maurin, 6-0, 6-0, for the girls’ 12-and-U plum; and Andrei Domasing, who survived Peter Cabaña, 6-7(4), 7-5, 6-3, in a thrilling boys’ 12-and-U championship duel.

Sanchez turns Asiad heartbreak into fuel for LA 2028 NAGOYA (Powered by PLDT Home)—Kayla Sanchez walked away from the Asian Games pool without the medal she desperately wanted, but she also left with something she believes could prove just as important: renewed hunger. The Filipino-American Olympian came agonizingly close to the podium in the women’s 50-meter freestyle on Thursday, settling for fourth place despite clocking a blistering 24.75 seconds—another national record and her second-fastest time in the event since the Tokyo Olympics. It was the second fourth-place finish for Sanchez in Nagoya after she also narrowly missed a medal in the 100m freestyle. “I guess I’m disappointed that I wasn’t able to bring the Philippines a medal, and I’m really sorry that I wasn’t able to do that,” Sanchez said after the race, fighting back tears.

But the 25-year-old quickly realizes there is a lesson to be learned in defeat. “I think the greater lesson here is to not be afraid to try,” she said. “Focus, stay focused, and I’m improving. I’ve gotten faster since my nationality switch, and I’m swimming. This is my secondfastest 50 free since Tokyo in 2021, and I’m not done.” The bigger target is Los Angeles in 2028.

Kyla Sanchez takes her losses as stairways to Olympics. POC Media Pool

Sanchez had entered the final carrying the hopes of Filipino fans who saw her as one of the country’s strongest medal prospects in the pool. The task, however, was formidable. China’s Wu Qingfeng and Cheng Yujie, together with Hong Kong star Siobhan Haughey, formed an imposing field, leaving Sanchez with little margin for error in the race for the podium. For coach Derrick Schoof, however, the result did little to diminish what Sanchez accomplished. “Really good swim for Kayla, really proud

of her. She really prepared well for that race,” Schoof said. Her 24.75 was only slightly off the 24.68 she produced in 2021, underscoring how far she has climbed again after several years away from that level. “It’s taken her five years to get back to this level of performance. Couldn’t be more proud,” Schoof said. Schoof said the plan is to return to university-based training, regroup and work specifically on building Sanchez’s power and speed. “I allow myself to be sad and to be angry, but at a swim meet... you don’t have much time,” she said. “I am motivated to have better results and get better and get faster, and that is what drives me. I love swimming. I love representing the Philippines, and I just want to do more.” Riera U. Mallari

BUSINESS

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2026 extrastory2000@gmail.com RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ, Editor ALENA MAE S. FLORES, Asst. Editor

Energy Secretary Sharon Garin (fifth from left), Prime Energy president and chief executive Donnabel Kuizon Cruz (sixth from left) and LNGPH president and chief executive Yari Miralao (fourth from left) lead the ceremonial admission of indigenous Malampaya gas into the 1,200-megawatt Ilijan Power Plant in Batangas on Sept. 24, 2026, marking the return of local gas supply to the facility.

IN BRIEF PlayTime expands iWant partnership

Malampaya gas resumes flow to Ilijan power plant

3.4% Growth forecast for 2026

5.1% Growth outlook for 2027

By Alena Mae S. Flores

5.6% Inflation forecast for 2026

IMF cuts 2026 PH growth outlook to 3.4% By Thony Rose Lesaca THE International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Friday cut its 2026 growth forecast for the Philippines to 3.4 percent from 3.9 percent, citing a prolonged Middle East conflict, tighter global monetary conditions and weaker remittances. The IMF also lowered its 2027 growth projection to 5.1 percent from 5.5 percent following its Article IV Consultation Mission to the Philippines. A recovery next year would hinge on fading shocks and a partial rebound in investment. IMF mission chief Andrea Pescatori led a team that held meetings in Manila from Sept. 15 to 25 for the consultation. “The Philippine economy is facing a challenging conjuncture,” Pescatori said in a statement. Growth slowed to 2.3 percent year-on-year in the second quarter of 2026 as public construction investment fell sharply following stricter infrastructure project reviews, weaker confidence and natural disasters, he said. A protracted property sector slowdown added to the drag, while the Middle East war compounded the headwinds given the country’s reliance on imported oil and gas. Headline inflation is projected to average 5.6 percent in 2026 before moderating to 4.1 percent in 2027, while core inflation is expected to peak at 4 percent, the IMF said.

HE Department of Energy (DOE) said the 1,200-megawatt Ilijan natural gas plant has resumed receiving fuel from the Malampaya Deep Water Gas-to-Power project off northwest Palawan, the first such delivery since June 4, 2022.

Energy Secretary Sharon Garin attended the South Premiere Power Corp. (SPPC)-Malampaya gas acceptance ceremony on Sept. 24, marking the resumption of indigenous natural gas supply to SPPC, operator of the Ilijan plant. Prime Energy president and chief executive Donnabel Kuizon Cruz and LNGPH president and chief executive Yari Miralao also led the ceremony, alongside representatives from the DOE, PNOC Exploration Corp. (PNOC-EC), the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM) and the Service Contract 38 Consortium.

Gas deliveries resumed Sept. 1, the DOE said, following the rehabilitation of the Ilijan natural gas receiving facility, which achieved full operational readiness on Dec. 1, 2025, enabling the plant to safely receive pipeline-delivered gas. Prime Energy, SPPC, PNOC-EC and PSALM worked together to restore the Tabangao-Ilijan Pipeline that carries the fuel. An interim natural gas supply agreement between SPPC and Prime Energy Resources Development B.V., signed in July, covers a six-month period from Sept. 1 through Feb. 25, 2027. The agreement is expected to

Rice prices seen doubling amid El Niño threat

PHILIPPINE Airlines (PAL) said Friday it plans to launch nonstop flights connecting Manila to Delhi and Mumbai in December, pending approval from the Indian government. The routes will give Filipino travelers direct access to two of India’s major commercial and cultural hubs for business, leisure and cultural trips. “Opening services to Delhi and Mumbai strengthens PAL’s network in one of Asia’s most dynamic economies,” PAL president Richard Nuttall said. “These routes will create new opportunities for Filipinos to explore India

BIR releases P23.67b in tax refunds

THE Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) said Friday it released P23.67 billion in tax refunds from January to September 2026, up from P12.42 billion in the same period last year, as the agency accelerated the release of approved claims to taxpayers and businesses. BIR Commissioner Charlito Martin Mendoza said the faster payouts aim to ease pressure on companies amid the ongoing energy crisis. “These are lawful refunds due to our taxpayers. Once a refund has been properly evaluated and approved for release, we see no reason to unnecessarily delay it. We want to put that money back in the hands of our businesses so they can use it for operating expenses, preserve cash flow and keep their businesses moving, especially during this energy crisis,” Mendoza said. The faster refund releases support President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s push for a more businessfriendly environment and Finance Secretary Frederick Go’s effort to make government transactions easier, faster and less costly for businesses.

Private council pushes housing reforms

THE Private Sector Advisory Council Infrastructure Sector (PSAC-Infra) recommended measures to manage property costs, expand affordable housing and sustain jobs and investment as the Philippine real estate sector faces higher construction and financing costs. PSAC-Infra presented the recommendations during a special meeting with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at Malacañang on Sept. 22, covering real property taxation, housing affordability, artificial intelligence policy and investment updates. Real estate remains a significant driver of the Philippine economy. Every P1 spent in the sector generates an estimated P3.44 in economic output, supporting construction, banking, retail, logistics, business process outsourcing and tourism, according to data PSAC-Infra presented.

Filinvest Land earns top developer honors at the Philippines Real Estate Awards 2026

By Othel V. Campos NATIONAL Food Authority (NFA) administrator Larry Lacson warned Friday that a severe El Niño could push retail rice prices up by up to 100 percent, or double current levels, as the agency expects to procure only about 500,000 metric tons of palay this year, short of its 790,000 MT target. Lacson said the NFA remains confident it can secure 500,000 MT of freshly harvested palay for buffer stock, citing sufficient procurement funds and additional storage capacity from 65 privately leased warehouses capable of holding about 200,000 MT. “We will not be able to secure the target procurement of 790,000 metric tons, but I am confident that we will have as much as 500,000 metric tons of freshly harvested palay as buffer stock,” Lacson said in a news briefing Friday marking the NFA’s 54th anniversary. The Philippine Statistics Authority projects third-quarter palay output at only 3.19 million MT, down 15 percent from 3.75 million MT a year ago. First-quarter output reached 4.4 million MT and the second quarter hit a near four-decade high of 4.63 million MT, bringing first-half production to about 9.03 million MT.

PAL to launch India flights in December By Darwin G. Amojelar

lower fuel costs by an average of P0.36 per kilowatt-hour, reducing generation charges for consumers beginning Sept. 1. Prime Infrastructure Capital Inc. unit Prime Energy operates the Malampaya gas project under Service Contract 38. “What we are celebrating today is not just the admission of Malampaya gas and the beginning of a new gas supply arrangement. It is also the continued use of critical energy infrastructure that was built decades ago and maintained to serve the country’s evolving energy needs,” Cruz said. “Bringing Malampaya gas back to Ilijan is more than just a resumption of fuel supply. This milestone is about putting our existing energy infrastructure to work and making the most of the resources available to our country. By reconnecting indigenous gas to a major power generation facility through LNGPH, we are helping translate local energy resources into dependable electricity for Filipino consumers and greater resilience for the Luzon grid,” Marilao said.

PLAYTIME Entertainment is deepening its content partnership with iWant, co-producing “Sparks Camp” Season 4 as part of a broader push into original entertainment formats and long-term collaborations in the Philippine market. The project builds on PlayTime’s growing partnership with iWant, which began with the vertical drama series “Will You Fake Marry Me?” The collaboration gives PlayTime a larger role in content development alongside iWant and ABS-CBN Studios as the company works to develop formats that reflect diverse audiences while supporting stories centered on equality and authenticity. PlayTime Entertainment spokesperson Adela Marshall said the partnership reflects the company’s broader strategy of building long-term collaborations across the Philippine entertainment industry. “In the current landscape, we believe every story deserves to be heard, and every kind of love deserves a spot,” Marshall said.

while supporting the growing movement of travelers, businesses and goods between our two countries,” he said. Under the planned schedule, PAL will operate Manila-Delhi flights three times a week, or every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The carrier will fly ManilaMumbai four times a week, or every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. PAL will operate both routes using its 168-seat Airbus A321neo aircraft, configured with 12 lie-flat business class seats and 156 economy class seats. Passengers will have access to the carrier’s full-service offering, including inflight meals, entertainment and its signature service.

ILINVEST Land, Inc. (FLI) achieved a significant industry milestone at the Philippines Real Estate Awards 2026, earning the distinction of Best Developer in Metro Manila, Best Developer in the Visayas, and Best Developer in Mindanao. The Visayas win marks FLI’s second consecutive year receiving the distinction, while its Mindanao recognition extends its winning streak to three consecutive years. These recognitions reflect Filinvest Land’s commitment to creating communities that respond to the distinct needs and aspirations of Filipino families across the country. From established urban centers to emerging growth areas, FLI continues to bring together homes, amenities, and opportunities through thoughtfully planned communities. In Metro Manila, developments such as Panglao Oasis in Taguig and Activa in Cubao connect residents to key business and commercial districts. In

the Visayas, communities including Futura Homes Palm Estates in Bacolod, Futura Rise in Iloilo, and Futura Shores in Dumaguete reflect the evolving needs of regional markets. In Mindanao, projects such as Maldives Oasis, 8 Spatial, and Centro Spatial in Davao, Futura Vinta in Zamboanga, and Futura Bay in General Santos continue to expand access to modern community living. “Winning across Metro Manila, the Visayas, and Mindanao in one sweep means we are successfully answering

the diverse needs of the Filipino family,” said Filinvest Land President and CEO Tristan Las Marias. “Our true north remains unchanged: creating places that seamlessly connect living and livelihood, opening up enduring opportunities, and putting homeownership within reach.” The three awards reinforce Filinvest Land’s nationwide presence and continued role in shaping communities that connect living and livelihood, bringing opportunities closer to Filipino families, and building the Filipino dream.

BUSINESS

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2026 extrastory2000@gmail.com RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ, Editor ALENA MAE S. FLORES, Asst. Editor

ICTSI to fully own Brazil’s iTracker

By Darwin G. Amojelar

NTERNATIONAL Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) said Friday it signed a share purchase agreement to acquire the remaining 30-percent stake in iTracker Logistica Inteligente, giving the port operator full ownership of the Brazilian logistics company.

The deal raises ICTSI’s stake in iTracker to 100 percent from 70 percent. iTracker operates as a full intermodal logistics provider serving users of the Port of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, offering an empty container depot, an export container freight station, general warehousing, a dis-

tribution center and road and railway transportation. ICTSI said iTracker contributes less than 1 percent to its consolidated financial performance and that the transaction is not expected to have a material impact on future results. ICTSI pursues a $740-million capital expenditure program for 2026 to expand capacity, upgrade equipment and develop new projects across several markets. The program will fund completion of the Phase 3B expansion of Conte-

con Manzanillo in Mexico, continued expansion at terminals in the Philippines, Brazil and the Democratic Republic of Congo, the acquisition and upgrade of port equipment, and new expansion projects in Honduras, Australia, Ecuador and Mexico. ICTSI earlier secured a $1-billion, 10-year term loan facility from BDO Unibank Inc. to finance the expansion of its global terminal network. The port operator reported a net income of $589.98 million for the January-to-June period, up 22 percent from $483.84 million in the same period last year.

MINISTERIAL VISIT. United Kingdom Minister for Trade Anas Sarwar (left) and UK Ambassador to the Philippines Sarah Hulton (second from right) are warmly welcomed by Jollibee Group chairman and founder Tony Tan Caktiong (second from left) and global chief business support officer William Tan Untiong (right) at Jollibee’s BGC Triangle Drive store in Bonifacio Global City on Sept. 23, 2026.

PH stock market ends 5-day losing streak as peso recovers By Jenniffer B. Austria PHILIPPINE stocks rebounded Friday, snapping a five-day losing streak, as easing oil prices and a stronger peso lifted investor sentiment. The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) gained 95.95 points, or 1.67 percent, to close at 5,825.97. The broader all-shares index rose 35.49 points, or 1.11 percent, to 3,246.21. The peso closed at 62.46 against the dollar Friday, up from 62.73 Thursday. Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. chief economist Michael Ricafort said the market’s recovery came as Brent crude oil prices eased to $105 per barrel. Oil prices softened after reports that US and Iranian negotiators were exploring a phased deal that could involve Iran reopening the Strait of Hormuz and the United States lifting its economic blockade

on Iranian ports. Ricafort said the peso’s strengthening against the dollar also lifted market sentiment. All six sectoral indices ended higher, led by the services sector, which climbed 3.22 percent. Financials advanced 1.51 percent, mining and oil rose 0.95 percent, industrials gained 0.81 percent, holding firms added 0.65 percent and property edged up 0.13 percent. Market breadth was positive, with 106 advancers outpacing 70 decliners, while 65 stocks were unchanged. Value turnover, however, was thin at P5.2 billion. International Container Terminal Services Inc. shares jumped 3.95 percent to P920 after the company reported it had raised its stake in a Brazilian logistics firm. Seminar Mining & Power Corp. shares declined 4.5 percent to P15.28.

ATRAM, PNB team up to expand investment options for Filipinos PHILIPPINE National Bank, through subsidiary PNB Securities, Inc., has teamed up with ATRAM Trust Corp. to broaden investment solutions available to Filipino investors, the companies said. PNB Securities has been appointed as institutional trust agent for ATRAM’s unit investment trust funds (UITFs), making ATRAM’s professionally managed investment solutions available through PNB’s wealth and investment platform. The partnership combines ATRAM’s investment management expertise with PNB’s client network and distribution capabilities through PNB Securities. PNB president and chief executive Edwin Bautista said

the deal is part of the bank’s continuing effort to build a more responsive wealth management ecosystem for clients. “By bringing together PNB’s client relationships and distribution capabilities with ATRAM’s investment management expertise, we can provide our clients with greater access to investment solutions that support their evolving financial goals,” Bautista said. The partnership strengthens PNB’s wealth management ecosystem and supports PNB Securities’ role in delivering a wider range of investment solutions, the bank said, adding that it reflects PNB’s focus on addressing the needs of retail, affluent and high-net-worth investors.

PNB Securities Inc. and ATRAM formalize their partnership through a signing ceremony attended by Philippine National Bank president and chief executive Edwin Bautista as guest of honor. Also attending the event are Phillip Hagedorn, ATRAM group chief investment strategist; Manuel Antonio Lisbona, president of PNB Securities Inc.; Michael Ferrer, ATRAM Group chief executive; Deanno Basas, president of ATRAM Trust Corp.; and Andrew Caw, chief marketing officer of ATRAM Trust Corp.

SHOWBIZ

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2026

lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com NICKIE WANG, Editor ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer JASPER VALDEZ, Writer

Regine Velasquez

is not retiring just yet

FOREVER SONGBIRD.

Regine Velasquez-Alcasid clarifies that she is not retiring from singing but will be leaving large concert stages behind

SIA’S Songbird Regine Velasquez Alcasid is not retiring from singing anytime soon, but she is ready to leave the biggest concert stages behind.

The singer clarified that her upcoming Finale concert at the SM Mall of Asia Arena will not mark her retirement. Instead, she plans to focus on smaller venues while exploring other opportunities in showbiz that do not involve singing. That, she said, will be her direction moving forward. “Stadium shows, for some reason, you have to fill that up with your voice and your presence, and I can no longer do that,” Regine told the entertainment press during her press conference for the Finale concert. The songbird admitted that performing major concerts has become increasingly demanding as she gets older, and she has become more conscious of the changes in her voice. “It’s difficult to do a concert when you’re already at this age. It’s just too demanding for someone like me who is already aging, and I can feel it. It’s called menopausal voice, and I researched it. It’s true, I’m not making any excuses. Dr. Vicki Belo also explained it to me,” she said. Regine has been candid about the changes in her voice and said she no longer wants to put herself in situations where she could be ridiculed for it. “I’ve been saying this for a long time. I’ve been very, very honest about the changes in my voice. I don’t want to be ridiculed about it anymore,” she added. She has experienced moments when her voice gives out during performances, prompting her to question why she should continue putting herself through that. “I’ve already experienced moments like that many times, where my voice gives out. And I keep asking myself, why? Why should I have to go through that? I feel like you have to quit while

including the opening and perhaps her most recognizable song, but the middle portion will feature different selections. “I’ll be covering at least, I don’t know, maybe 50 percent of the songs I’ve recorded, the songs I’ve popularized, or the songs that have become my signature songs,” she said.

Very Wang

Nickie Wang

you’re ahead. That’s what I said, and that’s how I feel about it,” she said.“I also don’t like the feeling of just singing and feeling like you’re dying already. I don’t want to feel that way either.” Yet rather than ending her career, Regine is looking at Finale as a celebration of everything she has built over four decades. The concert runs from Oct. 17 to 19, with the Oct. 18 show being offered for free as her thankyou to fans who have supported her throughout her career. “This is actually a thank-you concert to everyone who has been supporting me all these years, especially for the 40 years that they have been with me. So we really wanted it to be a thank-you concert,” she shared. The idea of making a night free came from her sister, Cacai Velasquez Mitra. “My sister wanted it to be free, but we couldn’t afford it. So we were really trying our best to get a sponsor who could sponsor the two nights. But again, it really wasn’t possible,” Regine said. They eventually worked out a plan: sell tickets for one night to help fund another night that fans could attend for free. “We thought that, to have one night for free and to be able to afford making that one night free, we needed to sell tickets for another night. In a way, we had to sell one night so that we could make the other night free, especially for those people who cannot afford it, for those fans who may not be able

to buy tickets,” she explained. Then came the unexpected demand. When tickets for the Oct. 17 show were released, Regine and her team expected them to take at least a day or two to sell out. Instead, the tickets disappeared within an hour. “We didn’t actually expect that it was going to be sold out right away. I think it sold out in an hour,” she said. The response prompted fans to ask for another show, but finding another date proved difficult. “My sister had a hard time figuring out where we could put the additional night, so Monday was the only option. We had to add another night because it felt like it wasn’t enough,” Regine said. Even the additional show sold out faster than expected, disappearing within 45 minutes. “We never expected that it would also be sold out in 45 minutes. We were expecting it to take about a day. That’s why we added another day, which was Monday,” she said. For Finale, Regine is also giving audiences a reason to return on different nights. Each show will feature a different repertoire, with around 20 songs per night. Some elements will remain the same,

‘Apol of My Ai’ reconnects a new generation with the soul of kundiman A YOUNG boy’s first crush becomes the doorway to an older Filipino love story in Apol of My Ai, one of seven full-length films competing in the 2026 Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival. Directed by Thop Nazareno, the film follows grade-schooler Apolinario “Apol” Medina Jr. (Zion Cruz), who develops an innocent crush on his music teacher, Ma’am Ai (Rochelle Pangilinan). When he joins the Quiapo Elementary Chorale, music becomes a bigger part of his world, giving him a way to understand emotions he is only beginning to discover. Among the traditions introduced to Apol is kundiman, the Filipino song form long associated with

love, longing, and devotion. Kundiman emerged from an oral tradition before developing into a formal art-song tradition in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Composers Francisco Santiago and Nicanor Abelardo helped establish its place in Philippine classical music, while the form also acquired a deeper connection to love of country and the Filipino struggle for freedom. That history gives the music a particularly meaningful place in Apol’s story.

Rather than treating kundiman as background music, Apol of My Ai places it directly in the hands and voices of its young characters. Apol and his classmates learn and perform the songs under Ma’am Ai, allowing a musical tradition

Rochelle Pangilinan plays music teacher Ma’am Ai, whose lessons introduce young students to kundiman and its place in Filipino musical tradition

The film explores the connection between generations through music and the enduring relevance of kundiman

The film follows Apol, a young boy who discovers kundiman through his crush on his music teacher and his father’s performance

associated with older generations to become part of their own childhood. For Apol, the songs take on another meaning as he experiences the excitement and confusion of his first crush. Music becomes another language for emotions he cannot quite put into words. His father, Tatay Poli (Zanjoe Marudo), has his own connection to the same tradition. An overseas Filipino worker, Poli performs kundiman and other Filipino classics with a band, creating an unexpected musical link between father and son. That connection becomes particularly significant as their relationship is tested by changes within the family. The songs they share may become a bridge when conversation proves difficult. The film features Filipino classics, including Nicanor Abelardo’s “Bituing Marikit,”

Rick Manrique’s “Ikaw ang Ligaya Ko” and Francisco Santiago’s “Ano Kaya ang Kapalaran.” “Mutya ng Irog,” with music by Emerzon Texon, the film’s musical scorer, also forms part of the film’s musical landscape. What makes the use of kundiman particularly striking is the age of those singing it. For Apol and his classmates, the songs are not relics from another time. They are music they can learn, perform, and attach to their own experiences. In that sense, “Apol of My Ai” gives kundiman a fresh audience without stripping away its history. First love, family tensions, and growing up are familiar emotions, but the songs give those experiences a distinctly Filipino voice. In an age when young listeners can discover music from virtually anywhere with a swipe, the film poses an interesting question: Can an old song still speak to a new generation? Through Apol, the answer appears to be yes. Kundiman is not presented as something trapped in the past but as music that can be inherited, rediscovered, and given new meaning. Apol of My Ai is one of seven full-length entries in the 2026 Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival, running until Oct. 4 at Gateway Cineplex 18, TriNoma, Fairview Terraces, Ayala Malls Feliz, Ayala Malls Circuit, Ayala Malls Manila Bay and Market! Market! Tickets are P250 regular and P200 discounted, while a P2,000 festival pass provides access to all seven full-length films and four student short-film sets.

Marion Cotillard wary of AI actors becoming too convincing FRENCH actress Marion Cotillard said on Thursday she feared the day she might be emotionally moved by an actor created by artificial intelligence, as debate grows over AI’s impact on film and the wider creative industries. “I think I would be very afraid the day I was moved by an AI actor. For now, I find that they act like potatoes, and that reassures me,” the 50-year-old Oscar winner told reporters at the San Sebastian Film Festival in Spain. Cotillard, who won the best actress Oscar in 2008 for her portrayal of French singer Edith Piaf in La Vie en Rose, said she wondered whether AI actors could eventually become convincing enough to fool audiences. “I wonder if one day that will happen, if one day I would be fooled by an actor,” she said. “I have to admit that it’s something that makes me think and that can frighten me.” Cotillard is in San Sebastian for the world premiere of Nicole Garcia’s 7h40 ce jourlà, which is competing for the festival’s top prize. She plays Alice, a former revolutionary activist who is released after 20 years in prison and attempts to reconnect with her son. “After spending 20 years in prison, the only thing she really has left is not her desire for revolution, but the fact that she is a mother,” Cotillard said. A total of 17 films are vying for the top awards in the official section of the festival, which wraps up on Saturday. AFP Marion Cotillard expresses concern about the potential for AI actors to become too convincing enough to emotionally move audiences

LIFE

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2026

lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com NICKIE WANG, Editor ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer JASPER VALDEZ, Writer

National Artist for Design Patis Tesoro believes the fair supports local craftsmanship and traditions in Negros

The best of Negros comes to Manila

By Nickie Wang

“It is like giving abused women and children a second chance, much like the chance given to the clothes donated to HE ringing of a bell signals the start of us,” Manotoc said. Arima, a traditional morning practice in sees the fair as a way to keep local Apart from food, BÚTLAK features Jerick Lacson of Sipalay City also craftsmanship and traditions alive. contemporary fashion and accessories, noted how the fair has helped broaden Negros where bells are rung at the crack of “Negros is very into handicrafts, handcrafted furniture and homeware, the city’s product showcase. dawn to gather farm workers and mark the into natural things, and I think this fair art, gifts, and travel experiences. “When we joined four years ago, beginning of the workday. supports that, and also continues our Mariel San Agustin of Domesticity we had to decide on only a few products to sell to reach a wider market. and showcase,” Opening the fair, Joaquin L. San Lacson said. Agustin, executive vice president “Now, our for marketing at SM Supermalls, good problem welcomed entrepreneurs, artisans, is figuring out partners, and guests to a celebration how to fit all our that goes beyond shopping. products into our “We are not simply opening booth.” another trade fair. We are Forty years celebrating 40 extraordinary years rooted in heritage, of Negros creativity, enterprise, still blooming heritage, and community,” San ANP President Agustin said. Christina B. The Negros Trade Fair has spent Gaston sees the Shoppers discover locally made finds as more than 178 Fashion, accessories and handcrafted pieces give shoppers four decades bringing the best of brands from the Negros Island Region gather under one roof more ways to bring home a piece of Negros while supporting fair’s four-decade Negros to more people, showing legacy as a story of local entrepreneurs that behind every delicacy, giving people and handcrafted piece, garment, and businesses room to work of art is the skill of a maker, grow. the livelihood of a family, and the “ M S M E living heritage of a community. development is Association of Negros Producers president This year, BÚTLAK builds on Cristina B. Gaston (left) and SM Supermalls about giving people executive vice president for marketing the fair’s growing reach, with SM the opportunity to Joaquin L. San Agustin share a toast Supermalls supporting homegrown discover what they duringthe traditional ringing of the bell businesses through SM for MSMEs can create, what by helping them gain access to they can become, At the opening of the 40th Negros more customers, greater visibility, and where their Trade Fair, however, the ringing of the and bigger opportunities to grow. creativity can take bell had another meaning. It signaled “Every purchase does more than them,” Gaston the start of BÚTLAK, ushering in a bring home a piece of Negros,” said. milestone event that brings the best of San Agustin added. “It supports a Negrense delicacies give visitors a taste of the region The anniversary Negros to Manila. Visitors explore distinctive gifts, art, and handmade finds at local business, celebrates Filipino alongside the fair’s wide selection of fashion, art, crafts and theme, BÚTLAK, BÚTLAK, where every purchase supports a local maker and Running until Sept. 27 at the SMX creativity, and helps another homegrown products speaks to traditions the communities behind their craft Convention Center Aura in BGC, entrepreneurial story move and skills passed Taguig, BÚTLAK: The 40th Negros traditions,” Tesoro said. forward.” down through Trade Fair brings together more than Maritess Sanchez of El Ideal, a said the fair has given the organization The opening days have drawn generations, now blooming through new 178 brands from the Negros Island heritage brand that has been part of an avenue to introduce its products to a enthusiastic crowds, with Cocina ideas, entrepreneurs, and audiences. Region for six days of food, fashion, Negrense food culture for nearly a wider market. Javellana, Chicken House, and Wawa Whether visitors come for food, art, home, crafts, and travel discoveries. century, said the fair has helped the “The Negros Trade Fair has given Bing’s Kitchen among the early crowd fashion, home pieces, gifts, or simply Presented by the Association of business reach customers beyond the us an avenue to introduce Domesticity favorites. the joy of discovery, BÚTLAK offers Negros Producers (ANP) in partnership province. to a bigger market, especially here in Visitors can still explore local coffee, a chance to meet the people and stories with SM Supermalls through SM “We have been around for about Manila,” she said. artisan chocolate, heritage chorizo, behind the products. for MSMEs, the milestone edition 100 years because we never sacrificed At The Little Vintage Shop, cocheeses, pastries, pantry staples, and BÚTLAK: The 40th Negros Trade celebrates 40 years of Negrense quality,” Sanchez said. “The Negros founder Frannie Manotoc said donated other distinctly Negrense finds. Fair runs until Sept. 27, from 10:00 a.m. creativity and enterprise while creating Trade Fair has helped us expand our clothing is given a renewed life while National Artist for Design Patis to 10:00 p.m. at the SMX Convention fresh opportunities for local businesses reach here in Manila.” helping support women and children. Te s o r o Center Aura. Admission is P50.

NOW & NEXT

Locked inside an oxygen chamber Dee-tails

A strange, surreal hour under pressure in a two-person hyperbaric chamber at Plantation Bay

Ardee de los Angeles

I HAVE done plenty of things at resorts before, like floating in saltwater pools, boogie boarding at Keawakapu Beach, and even snorkeling in Molokini Crater in Maui. But as a certified diver, being in a hyperbaric chamber is a first for me. Nothing quite prepared me for climbing into a pressurized oxygen chamber on my last visit to Cebu. The Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) at Plantation Bay Resort and Spa in Mactan is not your typical spa treatment. There’s no massage oil, no cucumber slices, and no soft music guiding you into a trance. Instead, you enter what looks like a small part of a cinema, and for one hour, you breathe almost pure oxygen while the pressure inside builds to 1.4 atmospheres. I’ll admit I was anxious. The chamber accommodates two people, which helped, knowing I wasn’t alone in there. But as the door closed and the machine began its slow pressurization, I understood why the staff had asked about my ears. The sensation was exactly like descending in an airplane or diving into the depths of the sea: a dull pressure building behind my eardrums, demanding to be released. I yawned. I swallowed. I popped my ears like a scuba diver, which is precisely the skill required to use this thing. Once we were fully pressurized, the experience became oddly serene. The chamber isn’t claustrophobic, not really—you can see through the clear panels, and the spa therapist checks on you regularly. A headset delivers a steady stream of oxygen through your nostrils, and all you have to do is lie there and breathe. I closed my eyes and let the oxygen do whatever it was supposed to do. What surprised me most was the setup inside. The chamber is fitted with two comfortable recliners, so you’re not lying flat on some cold surface—you’re lounging, properly reclined, like you’re in a private cinema. And there is a TV screen mounted inside, which you can watch

The spacious two-person hyperbaric chamber is designed for easy access, making the start of your therapy session seamless and stress-free The Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy treatment offers a revitalizing escape for body and mind

Guests are invited to unwind inside the specially designed chamber, where a tranquil atmosphere complements the restorative treatment

whatever you want for the entire session. I queued up a nature documentary, but honestly, I could have binged a sitcom just as easily. There’s something delightfully absurd about watching television while breathing medical-grade oxygen at pressure. The science, as explained to me, is straightforward: at higher pressure, your bloodstream absorbs far more oxygen than normal, which can reduce inflammation, boost immune function, and speed up recovery from fatigue and physical strain. Athletes have started using HBOT to optimize recovery times, and wellness seekers swear by it for everything from jet lag to aging skin. Did I feel transformed? Not immediately. After an hour, the chamber depressurized, and I climbed out feeling relaxed but unremarkable. It wasn’t until later that day that I noticed my energy

felt steadier. Maybe it was the oxygen. Maybe it was the free access to Mogambo Springs’ Japanese-themed spa facilities that comes with every HBOT session— the saunas, the pools, the waterfalls. Either way, I understood the appeal. Plantation Bay has built something genuinely unusual: a medical-adjacent therapy delivered with resort-level comfort. The cancellation policy is refreshingly fair—if you can’t equalize your ears in the first five minutes, you get a full refund. No pressure, pun intended. Would I do it again? Absolutely. There’s something deeply restorative about lying still, breathing deeply, and letting a machine do the work of healing. In a world that constantly demands more, an hour in a pressurized chamber felt like the ultimate luxury: permission to simply exist, one oxygenrich breath at a time.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2026 rumallari@thestandard.com.ph rieramallari@yahoo.com

Tech & Mobility Trends / On the Road 10th Anniversary

The intelligent Philippines

How technology is changing everyday Filipino life By Patricia Taculao-Deligero

DECADE ago, the future of technology in the Philippines was often imagined through the latest smartphone, a faster internet connection, or the growing popularity of social media. A smartphone could already take impressive photos, apps changed how people communicated, and online shopping was beginning to find its place in everyday life. Much of it still felt new.

Today, much of that once-futuristic technology has become almost invisible because it is simply part of everyday Filipino life. Smartphones have gone beyond calling and messaging and have become a camera, wallet, map, and more. Now, it’s also becoming a gateway to artificial intelligence (AI). Furthermore, social media has moved beyond being a place to post updates and has become a major channel for news, business, entertainment, and community interaction. The scale of this transformation is evident in the numbers. DataReportal estimated that the Philippines had 97.5 million internet users at the beginning of 2025, equivalent to 83.8 percent of the population, with 90.8 million social media user identities. There were also 142 million active cellular mobile connections,

more than the country’s population because many Filipinos maintain multiple connections. What began as connectivity has gradually become an infrastructure for daily living. Using technology to handle finances For many Filipinos, the smartphone is now the first screen checked in the morning and the last one used at night. It connects families separated by distance, lets workers communicate with colleagues, gives students access to learning materials, and lets small businesses reach customers without a physical storefront. The transformation becomes even clearer when money enters the picture. Back then, paying for everyday purchases through a phone could have seemed like a convenience

reserved for technology enthusiasts. Today, QR codes and mobile transfers are everywhere from shopping centers to neighborhood stores. Sending money to a family member no longer necessarily means visiting a bank or remittance center. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas

(BSP) reported that digital payments accounted for 57.4 percent of total monthly retail payment volume in 2024, up from 52.8 percent in 2023. By 2025, that share had risen further to 64.7 percent, meaning digital transactions had overtaken cash and other forms of payment in the

country’s retail payment mix. The significance goes beyond convenience. Digital payments are changing how Filipinos interact with banks, businesses, and one another. The rise of interoperable systems such as InstaPay, PESONet, and QR PH has helped make electronic transactions increasingly familiar, including among small businesses and consumers who once relied almost entirely on cash. Behind these seemingly simple transactions is another transformation that consumers rarely see: the rise of cloud computing. The cloud is the infrastructure that allows applications, businesses, and services to store, process, and access information remotely. When a Filipino employee opens a document from home that was created in the office, a student accesses an online learning platform, or a customer uses an app without knowing where its servers are located, cloud technology is working quietly in the background. Exploring the use of AI AI has moved rapidly from s c i e n ce - f i c t i o n te r r i to r y i n to everyday applications. Filipinos encounter AI through search tools, recommendation systems, automated customer ser vice, translation, photo enhancement, navigation, and increasingly through generative AI applications that can Turn to C2

Ultimate, Unified: Anker Unveils a New Era of Innovation in the Philippines

Following its global unveiling at IFA, Anker brings its unified brand vision and latest innovations in audio and charging to Filipino consumers FOLLOWING the global unveiling of its latest innovations at IFA, Anker today brings its next chapter to the Philippines with the local introduction of its Ultimate, Unified: Anker, bringing together its growing portfolio of technology designed to make everyday life more seamless. For nearly 15 years, Anker has evolved from a charging brand into a global technology company with expertise spanning charging, audio, smart home, power, and more. Over the years, dedicated brands such as Anker, soundcore, eufy and Anker SOLIX have built deep expertise within their respective categories, developing their own technologies, products and communities. In the Philippines, this evolution builds on Anker’s growing local presence, with products available across retail and online channels. As technology becomes increasingly connected, Anker continues to focus on creating products that combine thoughtful design, advanced technology and everyday practicality. “Ultimate, Unified” captures this next chapter, a commitment to bringing together innovation across categories while keeping the consumer experience at the center. Anker Essentials For Your Newest iPhone At the heart of Anker’s latest innovations is a simple idea: technology should make every moment with your devices more seamless. Designed as Anker Essentials For Your Newest iPhone, the latest additionals bring together three everyday essentials, staying connected, staying powered and charging smarter.

The Anker soundcore AeroClip 2 is designed to deliver clear calls and immersive audio while keeping users aware of the world around them, while the Anker MagGo Power Bank 2 Pro brings fast magnetic wireless charging with active cooling technology. Completing the lineup is the Anker Nano Charger, a compact charging solution with a smart display designed to provide a more intuitive charging experience.

For the upcoming iPhone 18 series, model identification will be supported on the Anker MagGo Power Bank 2 Pro and Nano Charger (OTA version). The Anker Nano Charger (OTA version) will receive an OTA update on September 30, ensuring compatibility with the latest generation of iPhone models. Together, these three essentials showcase how Anker is bringing smar ter, more purposeful technology into the everyday iPhone experience, from the way users listen and communicate, to how they charge at home and stay powered on the go. Anker soundcore AeroClip 2: Loud World, Clear You Designed for consumers who move through busy environments without wanting to disconnect from the world around them, the Anker soundcore AeroClip 2 brings a new approach to open-ear audio. Its standout innovation is its advanced voicecalling system, combining two voice pickup units that capture mechanical vibrations from the vocal cords with four M E M S m i c r o p h o n e s. The system works with the THUS™ AI Chip, which cross-references these signals in real time to separate the user’s voice from surrounding noise. The result is technology built around one clear promise: “Loud World, Clear You.” The six-sensor hybrid array gives AeroClip 2 a dedicated approach to voice separation, while the THUS™ AI Chip delivers approximately 150 times the previous generation’s AI computing

power for this specific task. The technology behind AeroClip 2 has also been recognized for its speech-quality performance. In September 2026, AeroClip 2 received a Guinness World Records certification for World’s Clearest Open-Ear Clip-On Earbuds for Calls, Powered by Anker THUS™ AI Chip. Beyond calls, AeroClip 2 is designed around the open-ear philosophy, allowing users to enjoy their audio while remaining aware of their surroundings. Its C-bridge design sits comfortably along the ear, while the GoldenFit™ titanium wire inside the silicone bridge and a Comfort-Grip Zone were developed using data from more than 2,000 3D ear scans. For everyday listening, AeroClip 2 features a 12mm dual-magnetic high-excursion driver, LDAC support, Hi-Res Audio Wireless Certification, and HearID 5.0. It is also Apple Made for iPhone (MFi) Certified, with native iOS connection for a seamless experience with iPhone users. AeroClip 2 offers up to 8 hours of playback on a single charge and up to 32 hours with the charging case, while a 10-minute charge can provide up to four hours of use. With its open-ear design, and all-day comfort, AeroClip 2 is built for consumers who want to stay connected without needing to pause their day. Anker MagGo Power Bank 2 Pro: Charging, Now Air-Conditioned While AeroClip is designed to keep users connected, the Anker MagGo Power Bank 2 Pro is designed to keep their devices powered, while addressing one of the most challenges of wireless charging, HEAT. Magnetic wireless charging can generate heat, particularly when charging at higher speeds. The MagGo Power Bank 2 Pro addresses this with an active cooling system designed to maintain a hand-friendly surface temperature of 36°C or below while delivering full 25W wireless charging. The technology has received SGS Premium Performance certification for its charging and heat-dissipation performance.

Inside, the power bank combines a lowresistance battery cell, a miniature fan, dedicated air ducts, temperature sensors, and graphene thermal management. Together, these components are designed to draw heat away from the charging coil and manage temperature during charging. In Anker’s internal laboratory testing, the MagGo Power Bank 2 Pro can charge an iPhone 17 Pro to 50% in 25 minutes. It is also designed to function as more than a portable battery. The built-in 0°–80° stepless kickstand supports hands-free viewing, while a smart display provides information including the connected iPhone model, battery level, battery health, temperature, charging mode, and estimated time remaining. Its magnetic connection provides up to 12N of holding force, while 45W self-recharging can bring the power bank to 80% in approximately 52 minutes.

With a 10,000mAh capacity and a compact 220g design, the MagGo Power Bank 2 Pro is designed to be a practical everyday companion for users who want fast, intelligent, and more comfortable wireless charging on the go. Price and Availability The Anker soundcore AeroClip 2 is now available for P9,995 only in Burgundy Red, Midnight Black, Cloud White and soon to be available in Mist Blue. The Anker MagGo Power Bank 2 Pro is now available for P5,995 only in Phantom Gray, Starlight Silver and Polar Night and soon to be available in Burgundy Red. Both products are now available through Anker’s official e-commerce stores on Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop and soon be available on Anker authorized stores and retail partners nationwide and Authorized e-commerce stores in Anker Charging on Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop and Anker soundcore on Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop. For more information on Anker’s latest products, promotions, and updates, follow Anker Philippines on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

Tech & Mobility Trends / On the Road 10th Anniversary

How technology...

From C1

write, summarize, explain, create images, and assist with work. For a student, AI can help explain a difficult concept. Meanwhile, for an employee, it can help organize information or produce a first draft. The technology does not have to look like a robot to be transformative. In many cases, it works precisely because it is embedded inside tools people already use. The Philippine government and business sector are also treating AI as more than a consumer trend. The country’s investment priorities i n c re a s i n g l y i d e n t i f y a r t i f i c i a l intelligence, data science, cybersecurity, and other frontier technologies as strategic areas for future development. At home, meanwhile, intelligence is becoming part of the equation. Smar t televisions, connected

appliances, security cameras, voice assistants, automated lighting, and internet- connected devices are gradually making the Filipino home more responsive to its occupants. A person can check a camera remotely, control an appliance through a phone, or receive an alert when something happens at home. Not every Filipino household has a fully automated smart home, and access remains uneven. Yet the underlying idea has changed. Connectivity is no longer limited to computers and phones. Ordinary objects are becoming connected, creating an environment where technology operates quietly around people rather than requiring constant attention. Vehicles of the future The shift to modern technology is also evident on the road. Mobility in the

Philippines has long been defined by traffic, public transportation, and the challenge of moving through densely populated urban areas. Although Technology cannot eliminate those problems by itself, it is changing how people navigate them. Digital maps provide real-time directions, ride-hailing platforms connect passengers and drivers through smartphones, electronic payment systems reduce dependence on cash, and modern rail and transport systems increasingly incorporate digital tools into their operations. Growing interest in electric vehicles, intelligent transport systems, and connected infrastructure also points toward a future in which mobility is increasingly linked to data. Transportation is no longer only about the vehicle. It is about the information surrounding the journey: where a passenger is, how traffic is moving, when a vehicle will arrive, and how to complete a trip more efficiently. Taken together, these changes reveal something bigger about the Philippine technology landscape. The country has not simply accumulated more gadgets. It has developed an increasingly interconnected digital ecosystem. The Philippine Statistics Authority estimated that the country’s digital economy generated P2.74 trillion in gross value added in 2025, equivalent to 9.8 percent of the country’s GDP. It also employed 10.39 million people, showing that digital transformation is no longer confined to the technology sector itself.

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Adapting to the age of AI A By Patricia Taculao-Deligero

RTIFICIAL intelligence once seemed like a distant idea reserved for science-fiction films. Today, Filipinos encounter it in ordinary places: banks, classrooms, farms, and workplaces.

However, its real influence is evident in the smaller details of work. Some tasks are becoming automated. Others are becoming faster. New

responsibilities are emerging, while familiar jobs are being reshaped around technology. Turn to C4

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RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor EDGARD HILARIO, Asst. Editor

Adapting...

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For Filipino workers, the question is whether they will have the opportunity to use AI before someone else uses it to redesign their jobs. Real-life AI deployment Evidence shows Philippine businesses are moving beyond talking about AI, although adoption remains uneven. An Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Strand Partners study found that 21 percent of Philippine businesses had adopted AI. Globe, for example, created an AI Development and Enablement G ro u p a n d a p p o i n t e d A n t o n Bonifacio as its first Chief AI Officer. The telecommunications company has applied AI to customer care, credit scoring, financial reporting, procurement, and network operations. This AI adoption demonstrates that this step toward the future does not always mean replacing an employee with a machine. Sometimes, it means giving that employee a faster way to complete a task. Changing the job landscape Many jobs nowadays are exposed to AI. But these highly exposed jobs are also highly complementary to AI, which could be harnessed to support workers rather than simply replacing them. Customer service representatives, telemarketers, secretaries, and administrative clerks are among those most exposed. Their work often involves repetitive communication, documentation, data processing, and information retrieval. Many consider these tasks to be responsibilities that AI can increasingly assist with. However, this does not necessarily mean a customer service representative will disappear. An AI system could handle a routine question while the human representative deals with a

complicated complaint. For instance, an accountant may spend less time organizing documents and more time interpreting financial information. A marketing employee may use AI for an initial draft while focusing on strategy. Nonetheless, the idea that AI can support tasks doesn’t mean all jobs are safe from the increasing AI adoption among industries. The Philippines built a global reputation around customer service, technical support, and back-office processing. Many of these activities now involve tasks AI can perform or assist with. As a result, the BPO industry has the highest proportion of jobs at risk of displacement. Yet the industry remains a major contributor to the economy, making its transition particularly important. For BPO workers, the future may increasingly involve moving from repetitive interactions toward specialized responsibilities. Workers may supervise AI systems, handle complex cases, analyze information, manage relationships, or provide expertise requiring judgment and empathy. This makes reskilling more than a

corporate slogan. Workers cannot be expected to compete with AI if they are not given opportunities to learn how to work with it. Creating a new kind of Filipino worker Filipino employees are already using AI even as companies continue to develop formal strategies around the technology. Microsoft and LinkedIn’s 2024 Work Trend Index found that 86 percent of Filipino knowledge workers surveyed were already using AI at work, higher than the global and Asia-Pacific averages. Additionally, in 2025, Microsoft’s Work Trend Index found that 89 p e r c e n t o f Fi l i p i n o b u s i n e s s leaders surveyed expected their organizations to use AI agents as digital team members within the following 12 to 18 months. 80 percent planned to hire for AI-focused roles. These emerging jobs are not limited to programmers. Companies increasingly need people who can implement AI tools, manage data, evaluate AI-generated output, design workflows, oversee responsible use, and train employees. Journalism is also experiencing

the shift. In 2025, the Presidential Broadcast Ser vice -Bureau of Broadcast Ser vices introduced Aivan and Aira, AI-generated news presenters for government media. Yet their scripts are still written and vetted by human journalists. The machine supplies the voice and presentation. Humans remain accountable for the information. AI in government, education, and other sectors The government and other sectors are also demonstrating practical uses for the technology. The Department of Education (DepEd) established the Education Center for AI Research in 2025 to develop AI-powered tools for teaching, learning, and school administration. It also launched AGAP. AI, which stands for Accelerating Governance and Adaptive Pedagogy through Artificial Intelligence, a program designed to help students, teachers, and parents understand responsible AI use.Meanwhile, the same principle was also applied in agriculture. The Department of Agriculture–Philippine Rice Research Institute launched Palai, a multilingual AI chatbot that provides farmers with expert-validated rice farming information through Messenger. It can recognize questions in different

languages and local dialects. Here, AI is not replacing farmers or agricultural specialists. It is helping bridge the distance between them. On the other hand, healthcare presents a different challenge because the cost of an incorrect answer can be far higher. In 2025, the Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center (ITRMC) in La Union became the first public hospital in La Union to acquire an AI-powered 128-slice CT scanner. The technology uses AI automation and deep-learning reconstruction to improve scanning and support radiology efficiency. AI can assist with medical imaging and information processing, but high-stakes medical decisions still require qualified human oversight. The right question to ask AI does not have to make Filipino workers unnecessary. It can be making them capable of doing more. The future of work will still depend on distinctly human abilities: judgment, creativity, communication, empathy, critical thinking, and accountability. For example, a small business owner can use AI to draft marketing materials, or an entrepreneur can analyze customer feedback more quickly.

Home Credit PH Renews Partnership with UST Tigers and Tigresses for UAAP Season 89

Celebrating a shared commitment to passion, perseverance, and excellence both on and off the court.

From left: UST Golden Tigresses players Yani Fernandez, Nina Robles, Angeline Poyos, and Regine Jurado; Home Credit Head of Brand and Communications Janelle Jacinto, Chief Marketing Officer Gabriel Roxas, and CBDO and Treasury and Funding Director Zdenek Jankovsky; UST Director/Regent Rev. Fr. Rodel S. Cansancio; UST Growling Tigers players Collins Akowe, Mark Llemit, and Amiel Acido; and UST Growling Tigers team managers Eric Ang and Waiyip Chong.

HOME Credit Philippines (HCPH) reaffirmed its commitment to empowering young Fi l i p i n o s a s i t o f f i c i a l l y re n e we d i t s partnership with the UST Growling Tigers and UST Growling Tigresses for UAAP Season 89, continuing its support for one of the country’s most respected collegiate sports programs. The partnership renewal wa s fo r m a l i ze d d u r i n g a ce re m o n i a l signing held on August 28, 2026, at the University of Santo Tomas, alongside representatives from Home Credit, the University of Santo Tomas, its studentathletes, and fellow supporters. Now in its second year of partnership with UST athletics, Home Credit continues to invest in initiatives that inspire young people to dream bigger, work harder, and build brighter futures, both on and off the court. The renewed sponsorship reflects the company’s belief that sports play a vital role in shaping discipline, resilience, teamwork, and determination among Filipino youth.

Representing Home Credit Philippines during the signing ceremony were Zdenek Jankovsky, CBDO and Treasury and Funding Director, and Gabriel Roxas, Chief Marketing Officer. They joined Rev. Fr. Rodel S. Cansancio, Director/Regent of the University of Santo Tomas, along with UST athletes and officials in celebrating another season of partnership and shared aspirations. “As a company committed to helping Filipinos realize their aspirations, we believe that supporting young athletes goes beyond sponsorship. It is about helping create opportunities for the next generation to develop their talents, pursue excellence, and achieve their goals,” said Zdenek Jankovsky, Chief Business Development Officer and Treasury & Funding Director of Home Credit Philippines “The values of perseverance, hard work, and determination, demonstrated by the UST teams reflect the same values that inspire us to serve and empower Filipinos every day.”

The event also welcomed Globe Telecom as one of the newest sponsors of the UST Growling Tigers, further strengthening the team’s network of partners dedicated to supporting collegiate sports development. The event was energized by the presence of UST Growling Tigers basketball players Mark Llemit, Angelo Crisostomo, Collins Akowe, and Amiel Acido, alongside Team Managers Eric Ang and Waiyip Chong. Their participation highlighted the strong partnership between the university, its athletes, and organizations that champion student success. “Our ongoing partnership with Home Credit Philippines reflects a shared commitment to building athletic excellence among our Thomasian student-athletes. Beyond competing for championships, our priority is preparing our young men and women for life. Having strong, dedicated partners like Home Credit encourage our athletes to dream big and perform with unwavering confidence,” shared by Rev. Fr. Rodel S. Cansancio, OP,

Director & Regent, UST Institute of Physical Education and Athletics (IPEA) As the UST athletes gear up for another exciting UAAP season, Home Credit remains proud to support a program that has long been a source of inspiration for aspiring athletes and sports fans across the country. As UAAP Season 89 unfolds, Home Credit will continue to champion Filipino youth through engaging fan experiences and stories that inspire the next generation to pursue their dreams. Go USTe! For the latest updates from Home Credit Philippines, visit its official website, www. homecredit.ph, or follow its official Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok accounts. Customers may likewise download the Home Credit App to get pre-approved, available on Google Play, the App Store, and HUAWEI AppGallery. Home Credit Philippines is a financing company duly licensed and supervised by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

Tech & Mobility Trends On the Road 10th Anniversary

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RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor EDGARD HILARIO, Asst. Editor

PLDT Home brings all your digital essentials in one bundle with the new Fiber Unli All plans BETWEEN streaming subscriptions, mobile data, TV services, and home internet, today’s families are juggling more digital subscriptions than ever before. While each service plays an important role in everyday life, managing multiple accounts and monthly bills can quickly become expensive and complicated. Making digital living simpler, PLDT Home introduces its new Fiber Unli All plans, bringing together unlimited fiber, Cignal T V, HBO Max, Smart mobile data, and unlimited calls in one convenient subscription. Whether working from home, attending online classes, streaming movies, gaming, or staying connected while on the go, Filipino families depend on several digital services every day. Bringing them together in one subscription makes digital living simpler while delivering greater value every month.

“ To d a y ’s c o n n e c t e d households want more than just fast internet—they want a simple, seamless digital experience at home and away from home. Fiber Unli All combines reliable

fiber connectivity, premium entertainment, and mobile services into one convenient bundle, giving Filipino families everything they need to stay connected, productive, and

entertained at home and on the go,” said John Y. Palanca, PLDT Senior Vice President and Head of Consumer Business – Home. Everything families need, in one subscription Built around the way households connect today, Fiber Unli All combines the services families use most into one broadband plan, delivering greater convenience and value. • Unlimited Fiber Fiber Unli All delivers reliable fiber speeds, making it ideal for households with multiple users and connected devices. Whether family members are attending online meetings, streaming in 4K, gaming, uploading content, or using smart home devices at the same time, the connection is built to keep up with everyday digital activities. • Cignal TV The Fiber Unli All plans also include Cignal TV, giving families access to live news, sports, local channels, movies, and

entertainment. From catching live sporting events to watching favorite TV programs together, everyone in the household has something to enjoy. • HBO Max Subscribers can also stream thousands of hours of premium entertainment with HBO Max, including HBO Originals, blockbuster movies, awardwinning series, documentaries, and family favorites. Whether it’s a weeknight movie marathon or a weekend binge-watch, there’s always something ready to stream. • Smart Mobile Data Connectivity doesn’t stop at home. Every Fiber Unli All plan comes with 9GB of Smart mobile data, helping families stay online and connected while commuting, paying with cashless transactions, or running errands outside. Families stay connected even when they’re away from their home Wi-Fi. • Unlimited Family Calls The Fiber Unli All plans also include unlimited landline calls, making it easier to stay in touch with family or connect with businesses and offices with landline services. Fiber Unli All brings together the most essential services that families already use today, making it easier to manage their digital needs while getting more value from their broadband plan. By combining reliable fiber with entertainment and mobile connectivity services, customers can enjoy a smarter and more connected digital experience. PLDT Home Fiber Unli All is available in monthly subscription plans 1499, 1899, 2599. For more information, visit www. pldthome.com.

Life beyond the smartphone By Peter Paul Duran

OMPUTING is moving from the screen in our hands to an ecosystem around us.A decade ago, the smartphone was swallowing everything.

The camera, music player, alarm clock, map, calculator and even the computer were being compressed into a slab of glass small enough to fit inside a pocket. In the Philippines, that transformation was still accelerating in 2016: IDC data reported at the time showed 3.5 million smartphones shipped locally in the first quarter alone, up 20 percent year-on-year, while smartphone penetration had stood at only around 30 percent in 2015. The smar tphone eventually became more than another gadget. It became the remote control for modern life. Te n ye a r s l ate r, i t re m a i n s indispensable. But something important has changed: the phone is no longer alone at the center. Computing has begun spreading outward—to the watch on the wrist, earbuds in the ears, television on the wall, dashboard in the car and, increasingly, glasses in front of the eyes. Behind all of them sit cloud services and artificial intelligence capable of carrying information and context from one device to another. The shift is visible in the Philippines. DataReportal estimates

that 98 million Filipinos were already online by late 2025, representing 83.8 percent of the population. There were 137 million active cellular connections, while 89 percent of those connections were classified as mobile broadband. Median mobile download speeds had reached 59.64 Mbps, compared with a digital landscape a decade ago in which smartphone adoption itself was still a growth story. What has changed, however, is

not simply how many people are connected. It is where computing happens. Wireless earbuds illustrate the transition particularly well. What began largely as a way to remove the cable from headphones has evolved into devices offering noise cancellation, spatial audio, voice assistants, translation and health features. IDC says hearables still account for roughly two-thirds of worldwide wearable shipments

and forecasts 407.6 million units in 2026, increasingly incorporating AI assistants, real-time translation and biometric monitoring. The wrist has followed a similar path. Smartwatches and fitness bands can surface notifications, accept calls, make payments and continuously collect health and activity information without requiring their owners to unlock a phone. Then there are smart glasses. They have endured several false

starts, but the latest generation points toward something fundamentally different from the smartphone model. A camera can see what the wearer sees; microphones can hear a question; an AI assistant can interpret the surroundings and respond through speakers. The interface becomes less about opening an app and more about asking for what is needed. IDC repor ted 145.7 million wearable -device shipments worldwide in the first quarter of 2026, up 4.3 percent year-on-year, with smart glasses and smart rings among the fastest-growing emerging categories. This does not mean the smartphone is about to disappear. It remains an extraordinarily efficient combination of display, camera, processor, modem, battery and input device. A watch is poorly suited to editing a document. Earbuds cannot display a photograph. Smart glasses still face challenges involving battery life, price, social acceptance, privacy and the simple question of whether consumers want computers permanently sitting on their faces. Instead, the phone’s role is changing from the place where everything happens to the powerful hub behind an expanding collection of interfaces. The GSMA describes this broader transition as devices evolving from passive network endpoints into “AI-native platforms” spanning smartphones, wearables, smart homes and vehicles. Increasingly, it argues, a device’s value comes not simply from its individual Turn to D3

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Tech & Mobility Trends / On the Road 10th Anniversary

Is the Philippines ready for an electric future? W By Millie Manahan

ITH a moderate to strong El Niño already present and expected by PAGASA to persist into the first half of 2027, conversations about energy security are becoming harder to separate from everyday life. Hotter conditions can increase electricity demand, while dry spells can place pressure on water, agriculture, and parts of the energy system. Against this backdrop, another transition is accelerating: the move towards electric mobility. When Filipinos hear “electric,” electric cars, scooters, and e-bikes are often the first things that come to mind. More are appearing on our roads, supported by a wider choice of hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and fully electric vehicles. But as electricity becomes more central to how we travel, the more important question is whether the systems behind it are ready. Somewhere between the city and the sea At the inaugural ASEAN Battery and Electric Vehicle Technology Conference in Bali in 2023, I asked Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines Executive Director Prof. Jose Bienvenido Manuel“Manny”Biona three questions: Is the Philippines ready to go electric? What problems will come with the transition? And what is stopping us? Four conference editions later, the answers are beginning to change. The Department of Energy and according to evcharge.ph, around 60,000 registered EVs to date, about twoand-a-half times the previous year’s figure. By March 2026, the country had 472 recognized EV models and 1,569 charging points nationwide. Yet growing numbers do not, by themselves, establish readiness. BenJeMar “Benj” Flores, Philippines Country Manager of the Future Energy Storage & System Integration Alliance and a founding member of Nascent Batteries, places the country within a broader transition: “ The Philippines EV uptake is climbing the tech adoption curve, from small innovator base into early

adopters’ stage in recent months. This is largely due to the rising imported fuel costs that has narrowed the gap of the total-cost-of-ownership (TCO) between ICE and EVs. However, structural challenges could slow down this climb toward the early/late majority stage. The country’s energy security remains fragile as long as the generation leans on imported coal and gas, hence, the electrification of the transport sector will just shift the import dependence upstream unless the renewables scale faster. The next issue is that our legacy transportation and distribution grids were not designed for concentrated EV loads. Sudden mass charging will severely strain local networks. Also, local battery and component supply chains remain weak as PH exports raw nickel, but imports finished cells and EVs, thus capturing little value. Scaling will also need trained/upskilled EV technicians,” he said when asked to give insights about this timely matter. (TCO means total cost of ownership, while ICE refers to a conventional internal-combustion engine) Charging where people live Charging is where national ambition meets daily reality. A homeowner with a garage may charge overnight, but a condominium resident may need building approval, additional wiring, separate metering, and a clear arrangement for electricity costs. EVIDA requires new buildings with at least 20 parking spaces to reserve five percent for EVs, but a reserved slot does not automatically include a charger. Long-distance travel is possible along selected routes, although drivers still need to check a charger’s location, availability, speed, and compatibility.

A view from inside a BYD Sealion 6 DM-i as it moved through floodwater in Pampanga. The plugin hybrid’s performance under difficult conditions may help build trust in electrified mobility. Although motorists should never deliberately enter deep or uncertain floodwater.

Battery swapping offers another option: instead of waiting for a battery to charge, the depleted unit is exchanged for a charged one. The DOE already includes battery swapping in its monitoring of charging fees, but it remains an emerging service rather than a widely available solution for private electric cars. Should homes eventually come with solar panels so families can charge more comfortably? Not every household or roof will be suitable. A more realistic direction is to make new homes, condominiums, workplaces, and parking areas solar-ready and EV-ready, supported where practical by shared charging hubs and battery storage. Powering EVs more intelligently Flores sees battery energy storage systems, or BESS, as an enabler: “Creative fixes such as co-locating BESS with solar and EVCS so that generation and consumption can happen on-site. BESS can also provide grid flexibility by storing off-peak energy and discharging during simultaneous fast-charging spikes (peak shaving), it can also allow fast chargers at constrained nodes of the network (deferred grid upgrades), and it can be used to store solar power for EV charging without stressing the transmission lines (RE integration). BESS can be the enabler that can accelerate both RE and EV uptake together.” In simpler terms, solar can produce electricity, batteries can store it, and charging stations can use it when vehicles arrive, reducing sudden pressure on the grid. (EVCS means Electric Vehicle Charging Station; RE means renewable energy) Beyond the showroom For buyers, readiness continues beyond charging. EV batteries normally lose capacity gradually, but their lifespan and warranties vary. EVs have fewer engine-related parts to service, yet tyres, suspension, cooling systems, electronics and software still need attention. High-voltage repairs also require trained technicians. The resale market presents another unknown. Because the local second-hand EV market is

young, battery-health reports, transferable warranties, available parts and dependable aftersales support will be central to buyer confidence. Policy is advancing. EVIDA covers charging infrastructure, EV parking, electric public transport and minimum EV shares for certain corporate and government fleets. Zero import duties on covered electric and hybrid vehicles remain until 2028. In July 2026, the government also established the P60-billion Electric Vehicle Incentive Strategy to support qualified local manufacturers and assemblers. It is not a direct buyer rebate, but it could eventually improve vehicle affordability, parts availability, jobs and technical capability. The greatest public benefit may come from electrifying buses, jeepneys and delivery fleets, provided operators have access to financing, depot charging and maintenance support. Climate resilience must be part of that p l a n n i n g. I n a co unt r y w h e re f l o o d i n g and power interruptions remain familiar realities, charging stations and electrical equipment must be safely located and supported by contingency measures. This is not a reason to delay electric mobility; it is an oppor tunity to build it more intelligently. So, is the Philippines ready for an electric future? It is certainly more prepared than it was in 2023. And with rising fuel prices, continued dependence on imported oil and growing pressure to reduce transport emissions, going electric could become an important part of the answer. But readiness is not a declaration or a single finish line. Electric mobility will only become a practical choice for more Filipinos if accessible charging, cleaner power, skilled technicians, dependable maintenance and climate-resilient infrastructure grow alongside the vehicles themselves. The transition has already begun. The task now is to make it affordable, reliable, and inclusive enough to carry the rest of the country with it.

Tech & Mobility Trends / On the Road 10th Anniversary

D3 Grab Philippines’ GrabScholar program produces

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Life beyond...

From D1

its first college graduates, welcomes new batch

GrabScholar’s first five full-ride scholars earn their college degrees, as the program’s support reaches around 2000 Filipinos through three tracks: College scholarships, bursaries for school essentials, and BPO skills training INAUGURAL GRABSCHOLARS. From right: Jessa Mae Tabares, John Lloyd Villa, Jasmine Nicanor, Mary Flor Valerie Rull, and Cesario Cabuello III, the first cohort of graduates under the GrabScholar program.

specifications but from its ability to understand context and work with the wider ecosystem around it. Artificial intelligence could accelerate that transition. For most of the smartphone era, interacting with technology meant telling software exactly what to do: unlock the device, locate an application, open it, navigate a menu and tap a command. AI is beginning to collapse those steps. Ask for directions and the answer might appear on the car dashboard. Request a translation and it could arrive through earbuds. A watch can detect information about the body without being asked. Glasses could identify something in the physical world while the phone remains inside a pocket. The significance is not that any one of these devices replaces the smartphone. It is that together they reduce the number of occasions when people need to reach for it. That may ultimately answer the question of what comes after the smartphone. For decades, personal computing progressed through identifiable machines: the desktop put computing on a desk, the laptop put it in a bag, and the smartphone put it in a pocket. It is tempting to expect another single device to take the crown. The next era may not work that way. The next primary interface could be the environment itself—a distributed layer of screens, sensors, speakers, cameras and AI that follows the user from one device to another. The smartphone will remain part of that world, and probably its most important piece for years to come. But after a decade spent concentrating our digital lives into one screen, technology is beginning to move in the opposite direction. Computing is leaving the pocket. And increasingly, it is appearing everywhere else.

GRAB Philippines is marking a major milestone as five pioneering Filipino scholars become the first GrabScholar college graduates in Southeast Asia, completing their degrees under Grab’s flagship scholarship program. The graduates, Cesario Cabuello III, Mary Flor Valerie Rull, John Lloyd Villa, Jasmine Nicanor and Jessa Mae Tabares, earned degrees across education, business and finance, with three already taking their first steps into the workforce. Cabuello is now a senior high school teacher at PHINMA Saint Jude College Quezon City, while Nicanor is completing a government internship in Iloilo. Tabares, who is also working as a corporate legal assistant, is preparing to take the Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers alongside fellow education graduates Rull and Villa. Driven by perseverance Tabares, who graduated with a degree in Education, majoring in English, delivered a speech on behalf of the graduating scholars during the awards ceremony. “When college came, I almost convinced myself it wasn’t part of my future because I didn’t want to be a burden to my family. Then GrabScholar came. It was never just about a diploma—it gave us a community that believed in us when it would have been easier to stop. Now that this opportunity has helped us rise, it is our turn to reach back, extend a hand, and help others move forward, too,” Tabares said. In her speech Tabares – who also served as a working student at Grab Iloilo for nearly three years, assisting drivers, TNVS applicants, and passengers – reflected on how the scholarship eased her family’s

financial pressure, allowing her parents to devote more resources to essential household needs. Since its launch in 2023, GrabScholar has supported around 2,000 Filipinos nationwide at different stages of their education and career journeys. The program has awarded 30 full college scholarships to date, provided school-expense assistance to 1,500 elementary and high school students, and equipped 400 individuals with skills and training to pursue careers in the BPO industry. This year, GrabScholar welcomes its fifth batch of scholars, extending the program’s reach to more Filipinos. Supported by the GrabForGood Fund and delivered in partnership with Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) and BagoSphere, GrabScholar provides support beyond tuition, including learning materials and living allowances, alongside development programs, internships, and career opportunities that help scholars transition from education to employment. “People know Grab for rides, deliveries, and financial services. But those have always been part of a bigger mission: creating opportunities. GrabScholar is one example of that mission in practice. Five graduates in, we’re seeing what opportunity can build when someone gets a real shot, with degrees earned, careers started, and doors opened that weren’t there before. And it never stops with just one person. It lifts a family, changes what’s possible for the people around them, and reaches our communities. That’s the asenso we’re really after,” said CJ Lacsican, President of Grab Financial Group Philippines.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2026 rumallari@thestandard.com.ph rieramallari@yahoo.com

Tech & Mobility Trends / On the Road 10th Anniversary

RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor EDGARD HILARIO, Asst. Editor

The Filipino gamer levels up By Peter Paul Duran

AMING has grown beyond entertainment into a force shaping how Filipinos buy devices, connectivity and computing power

For years, the image of Filipino gaming was easy to recognize. There was the neighborhood computer shop packed after school, rows of PCs running competitive games by the hour. Later came smartphones and inexpensive mobile data, putting multiplayer gaming into millions of pockets. Then esports filled arenas, livestreamers accumulated audiences and gaming laptops began occupying increasingly prominent spaces inside electronics stores. But focusing only on esports misses the larger transformation. The Filipino gamer has become a serious consumer of technology. Every game places demands on hardware. A competitive mobile player notices refresh rates and touch response. A PC gamer learns the difference between graphics cards. Console owners think about storage and televisions. Online players discover latency, Wi-Fi standards and broadband reliability. Streamers add microphones, webcams and capture hardware. Gaming, in other words, teaches consumers to care about technology in unusually specific ways. That matters in a country whose digital infrastructure has changed dramatically. By late 2025, the Philippines had 98 million internet users and an internet penetration rate of 83.8 percent, according to DataReportal. Median fixed internet download speed had reached 105.17 Mbps, while median mobile download speed stood at 59.64 Mbps. The latter had risen 77.2 percent in the preceding 12 months. Faster connections do more than make websites load sooner. For gamers, they expand what is practical: downloading enormous titles, installing updates, multiplayer sessions, livestreaming gameplay and increasingly moving parts of gaming itself into the cloud. The scale of the wider regional audience explains why technology companies pay attention. Niko Partners counted 285.82 million gamers across Southeast Asia in 2024 and projected that figure to reach around 290 million in 2025. The region generated $5.37 billion in video-game revenue in 2024. Its research also found that 52 percent of Southeast Asian gamers watched gaming livestreams, illustrating how gaming now extends well beyond the hours actually spent playing.

The Philippines sits squarely inside this mobile-first Southeast Asian culture, but the Filipino gaming experience is increasingly difficult to describe using a single platform. A person can play Mobile Legends on a smartphone during a commute, Valorant on a PC with friends, then continue another game on a console at home. Gaming cafés remain part of the landscape, particularly for players who want access to PCs without buying an entire system themselves. Meanwhile, gaming laptops have made higher-performance PC gaming portable, albeit at prices that can still represent a major household purchase. This widening ecosystem has implications far beyond game publishers. Gaming has created a consumer willing to scrutinize hardware. Refresh rates of 120Hz, 144Hz or higher—once specifications understood mainly by enthusiasts—are now routinely promoted on phones, monitors and laptops. GPUs have become headline features. Cooling systems receive marketing space. Mechanical keyboards, gaming mice, controllers, headsets and high-speed routers have grown into product categories of their own. The result is a feedback loop: more demanding games create demand for more capable technology, while better and more affordable hardware allows developers to build richer experiences. The Philippines is not merely consuming those experiences, either. Filipinos have worked for years on games played around the world. The Board of Investments has documented local studios providing services for international titles and describes game development as a higher-value segment of the country’s IT-BPM industry. That industry is now trying to move further up the value chain. In 2026, the BOI and Game Developers Association of the

Philippines noted that local game development remains heavily oriented toward outsourced services, but said the industry is increasingly looking toward co-development, co-production and original Filipino intellectual property. The same initiative has been taking game-development programs to students outside Metro Manila to expand the country’s talent pipeline. There are already signs that the capability can translate into export business. Five Philippine game-development companies participating in Nordic Game in Sweden generated $1.67 million in actual and potential export sales in 2023, according to the Department of Trade and Industry. That completes an important circle. The Philippines is a country of players, but also increasingly of developers, artists, programmers, testers and technology professionals whose livelihoods can connect to games. And the ordinary gamer sits at the center of that ecosystem. Not every Filipino player will enter an esports tournament. Most will never become professional streamers. Many may never describe themselves as technology enthusiasts at all. Yet every time they compare phones because one runs a favorite title better, choose fiber because latency matters, save for a graphics card, buy a controller, upgrade a monitor or spend another evening with friends at a gaming café, they par ticipate in the technology economy. A decade ago, it was easy to treat gaming as one activity performed on a computer or phone. Today it is one of the reasons people care about what those devices can do. The Filipino gamer is no longer simply playing on technology. Increasingly, the Filipino gamer is helping determine what technology gets built, bought and improved next.

OPPO Powers Today’s Connected Lifestyle with Smarter Technology BEING connected today means having technology that keeps up with everyday life. From work and fitness to entertainment and staying in touch, people rely on different devices to move easily between tasks, places, and moments. As wearables, AI-powered devices, wireless audio, and digital tools become more intertwined with these moments, the connected lifestyle is no longer defined by any one device, but by how effortlessly technology works together around you. For OPPO, the next step is making those technologies work harder together. Its expanding ecosystem brings wearables, tablets, wireless audio, AI-powered features, and cross-device software into experiences designed to flow more naturally from one part of the day to the next. At the center of this approach are devices such as the OPPO Watch S, OPPO Pad SE, and OPPO Enco Buds3 Pro, each using technology in different ways to help people work smarter, stay active, enjoy immersive entertainment, and keep moving without missing a beat. Wearable Technology That Moves with You When the day is moving fast, even reaching for your phone can interrupt your flow. The OPPO Watch S keeps essentials within a glance, letting users check calls

and messages or control music from their wrist while commuting, working out, or moving between tasks. That convenience extends to fitness. With more than 100 sports modes and professional tracking for 12 popular sports, the OPPO Watch S turns workouts into useful insights. Pro Running Mode goes deeper with dualband GPS, posture analysis, fat burn tracking, and lactate threshold insights, helping runners better understand their performance and train smarter. It is a connected experience designed to stay out of the way when it should and deliver the right information when it matters. AI and Connected Tools for a Smarter Way to Work As AI becomes part of everyday productivity, the OPPO Pad SE combines intelligent assistance, cross-device connectivity, and a larger workspace for work, study, and creativity wherever users happen to be. With Google Gemini, users can brainstorm ideas, translate emails, summarize information, and organize their day. AI Assistant for Notes and AI Intelligent Document extend that support to writing, formatting, summarizing, and translating content, integrating AI directly into everyday workflows.

The OPPO Pad SE keeps you moving with smart AI and seamless connectivity—all in one versatile workspace. Use Gemini to brainstorm, plan, translate, and get more done, while AI-powered tools make notes and documents effortless to manage. With O+ Connect, your files and screens flow seamlessly across devices, so you can stay productive wherever the day takes you.

Meet the OPPO Enco Buds3 Pro — powerful 12.4mm audio, lowlatency gaming, up to 54 hours of playback, and all-day durability.

With O+ Connect, users can also transfer files, mirror screens, and drag and drop content across compatible devices, making it easier to start something on one screen and continue on another. An 11-inch Immersive Eye-Care Display provides more space for documents, research, creative work, and entertainment, while the 9,340mAh battery supports extended use away from an outlet. Together, these features make the OPPO Pad SE a portable, connected workspace that can move between productivity, learning, creativity, and entertainment. Connected Audio for Life on the Move The OPPO Enco Buds3 Pro brings OPPO’s audio innovations into the connected experience. A 12.4mm extra-large titaniumcoated dynamic driver delivers powerful, detailed sound, while Enco Master offers customizable sound profiles for a more personalized listen. Bluetooth 5.4, dual-device connectivity, and 47ms low-latency gaming enable stable connections and easier switching between compatible devices. With up to 54 hours of total playback, fast charging, and IP55 dust and water resistance, the earbuds are built to stay connected and keep up throughout the day. One Connected Lifestyle, Powered by an Ecosystem From wearables that put information within reach and AI tools that support productivity and creativity, to crossdevice experiences and wireless audio that moves with users, technology is becoming more connected, intelligent, and intuitive. The OPPO Watch S, OPPO Pad SE, and OPPO Enco Buds3 Pro each play a distinct role in this growing ecosystem. By bringing Life moves fast. Stay one step ahead. With the hardware, AI, software, and connectivity closer together, OPPO OPPO Watch S, calls, messages, music, and fitness is creating experiences designed to make productivity more insights are always within reach. With 100+ sports seamless, creativity more accessible, and everyday mobility modes and Pro Running Mode, every move smarter. counts.

Tech & Mobility Trends On the Road 10th Anniversary

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2026 rumallari@thestandard.com.ph rieramallari@yahoo.com

RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor EDGARD HILARIO, Asst. Editor

The Rise of the AI phone: When the smartphone begins to think for you T

By Jessica Luna

HE smartphone race for years was all about megapixels, processor speeds, refresh rates, and battery capacity. Today another specification is emerging as equally important, namely intelligence.

An “AI phone” is no longer just a phone with an AI camera or voice assistant. “It’s increasingly designed to understand what users are saying, seeing and doing -- and to turn that understanding into useful action.” Brands such as HONOR, OPPO, nubia, vivo, Infinix, TECNO and Xiaomi are adopting AI, with use cases spanning privacy and on-device processing t o p h o t o g r a p hy, t r a n s l a t i o n , productivity and AI agents. So, what is an AI phone? An AI phone integrates artificial intelligence into the hardware, operating system and daily apps, as opposed to a one-off feature. AI phones are making it simpler for users to describe what they want in natural language instead of having to open an app and go through several steps. For example, HONOR integrates AI with MagicOS via Magic Portal, AI editing, translation and assistant capabilities, powered by its on-

device MagicLM. nubia is pushing the concept even further with its AI-native approach: its M153 with Doubao AI Assistant is designed to understand natural language commands and execute multi-step tasks across applications. Intelligence within the phone One big change is on-device AI, where some of the processing happens right on the phone instead of all in the cloud. That can mean faster responses, less reliance on connectivity and perhaps better privacy because information doesn’t

always have to leave the device. OPPO has focused on on-device computing, such as translation that can work without an internet connection. HONOR is rolling out MagicLM as part of its on-device architecture for AI, while Xiaomi is taking a hybrid of on-device and cloud computing with privacy protections in its HyperOS ecosystem. From photo editor to creative buddy With generative AI, smartphone photography has gone from just taking a picture to something bigger.

It allows users to delete unwanted people or objects, extend an image beyond its original borders, and enhance or modify photos. HONOR releases AI Eraser, AI Outpainting, AI Enhancer, AI Cutout. OPPO has embedded generative AI and AI Eraser into its phones, Xiaomi’s HyperAI gives you AI-powered editing and AI Art. Infinix and TECNO also have AI Eraser and generative image tools. The smartphone is therefore transforming from a reality-recording camera to a creative tool that can

reinterpret reality. Translating the language barrier Another area where AI phones are becoming practical, everyday tools is translation. Modern systems can translate text in photographs, webpages and menus; more Turn to E3

DITO One Brings Home and Mobile Connectivity Together in One Product DITO Telecommunity has launched DITO One, a new connectivity proposition that brings mobile and fixed wireless services together in one product, giving Filipino families a simpler way to stay connected at home and on the move. Unveiled during DITO’s recent MAXX MODE ON event, DITO One is designed around a simple reality: customers no longer live their digital lives exclusively at home or on mobile—they move constantly between both. Unlike traditional bundles that package separate services together, DITO One integrates mobile and home connectivity through one registration, one subscription and one account management experience. “Convergence should be about more than putting different services into one package. It should make connectivity simpler for the customer,” said Atty. Adel Tamano, Chief Commercial Officer of DITO Telecommunity. “With DITO One, we are bringing home and mobile together into a more seamless experience built around how families actually stay connected.” Through DITO One, customers can manage their home and mobile connectivity under a single prepaid account, making it easier for families and groups to stay connected across devices and locations. “Every product we build begins with a real customer need,” said Miriam Choa, Deputy Chief Revenue Officer of DITO Telecommunity. “With DITO One, that means making connectivity seamless, frictionless, and more valuable for home managers”

Maxx Mode: ON. DITO Telecommunity officials led by Chief Commercial Officer Atty. Adel Tamano and Deputy Chief Revenue Officer Miriam Choa unveil DATA Maxx, DATA Maxx 5G, DITO One, and DITO Gaming at the MAXX Mode On event in SM Mall of Asia.

ONE FOR ALL. DITO Head of Strategy Integration Brian O’Hara introduces DITO One, which brings home and mobile connectivity into a single solution: unli data at up to 100Mbps, 50GB shared data across four SIMs for the whole family, and a 30-day Prime Video and Blast TV subscription. One registration, one subscription, one account.

The launch also builds on DITO ’s co ntinu ed g ains i n mobile network performance. DITO was recently named the Philippines’ #1 Rated Mobile Network by Ookla, based on Speedtest Intelligence data for the first half of 2026, while Opensignal named DITO the

Fastest and Best Mobile Network in the Philippines in its latest independent analysis. DITO One was introduced alongside DATA Maxx, DATA Maxx 5G and DITO Gaming at MAXX MODE ON, reflecting DITO ’s broader move from p rov i d i n g c o n n e c t i v i t y t o

creating more curated products and experiences around different customer needs. For DITO, the next step is not simply connecting more people, but making connectivity work more naturally around their lives—at home and on the move.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2026 rumallari@thestandard.com.ph rieramallari@yahoo.com

Tech & Mobility Trends / On the Road 10th Anniversary

Filipinos use more tech on the road, but why are we still in traffic hell? By Earl Maghirang

ODAY we have more tech being used on the road and on our vehicles, and yet why can’t it solve the problem of Metro Manila traffic? What are we doing right and what are we doing wrong, and where does technology figure into all this?

In 2025, the average Metro Manila driver lost around 143 hours due to rush hour traffic, according to the 2025 TomTom Traffic Index. That’s almost six full days that a motorist is stuck in their car, looking at a sea of red and probably looking for a faster way to get home for the family or for some well-deserved relaxation. It doesn’t help either that the same report states that the Philippines placed at the 12th place in Asia in terms of congestion levels. These numbers are definitely hellish but at least the country isn’t ranked as first globally or in Asia. This also has rolled over from the past year so it paints a picture of how bad the traffic is. Here’s the thing, we have a lot of tech that can be used to

speed things up or improve the traffic situation. We are so loaded with tech and applications and devices that should make things a little bit easier for Filipinos and yet we still get tormented daily by traffic. Technology has already developed things like AI Traffic Management, Intelligent Traffic Lights, Fleet Management, AI and Data Driven Urban Planning and navigation apps. So where did we go wrong? For me, there’s no single point of origin to trace back on why we’re so loaded with tech and still succumb to nightmarish traffic. We can’t go and say this is the reason or the lack of this was the reason. It’s compounded and it’s all sorts of reasons combined. For one, the IT infrastructure and mobile data structures around the Philippines is begging for an upgrade and continuous maintenance. How can motorists rely on navigational apps like Waze when it falters the moment the car drives into an area with poor internet? How can a driver properly pay using his or her mobile banking app for a toll when the Internet is slow? How can CCTV cameras rely on information and data in real time when the Internet’s slower than a turtle? There’s also the technical aspect of this situation we’re in. Sure, we have electronic toll collection booths with RFID scanners and everything, but are they constantly maintained? Are the chances of errors higher than the chances of a successful transaction? How often do these booths break down, causing more delays? What about traffic lights? We’re already in the era where we use intelligent traffic lights but there are still areas around the country where the traffic lights aren’t working. There’s also the problem with some motorists on the roads. Road mishaps are one of the biggest causes of traffic if you think about it. How many hours have Filipino motorists lost because of accidents that have clogged up the roads? How may dinners and important events have people missed because somebody missed a turn and caused a crash? Not even the smartest AI or Artificial Intelligence can prepare for situations like that. No matter how smart the technology is, as long as people still make poor decisions while driving their cars or motorcycles, the results will still be the same. Tremendous traffic with no end in sight. Drivers actually using navigation apps properly can also help because there are still motorists and car owners who prefer to drive by memory, sticking to less efficient routes. There are still elements and technology that are still

underdeveloped or not utilized properly. Technology like data driven urban planning can still be used in the next few years to deal with traffic. Big urban redevelopments can include data gathered specific places and traffic volume and be added in when developing or improving roads and infrastructures. Unified transportation cards have seen some growth through the years too. But it could be developed further and encompass other parts of the Philippines, not just Metro Manila. Imagine your beep carp can also work as a debit card or can also be used for paying toll fees the SLEX or NLEX. That same card can also be used to pay for the EDSA carousel or the P2P bus fares. It might not directly impact the traffic but it will help in lowering the number of people who will bring their cars to work. There’s a lot of promise for Filipinos though and it starts with proper education, improvements with enforcement of rules, consistent upgrades and updates for technology and everybody working together to make the streets safer and smoother.

vivo V80 Lite coming soon with 10000mAh BlueVolt battery

vivo is set to release the vivo V80 Lite, featuring a 10,000mAh BlueVolt Battery — the largest battery capacity ever offered by vivo globally — giving Filipinos a new option for staying powered through longer days without constantly reaching for a charger. The V80 Lite is designed to address one of the most practical concerns for smartphone users: how long a phone can actually last between charges. Powered by 4th Gen Silicon Anode Technology, its 10,000mAh battery is engineered to deliver extended endurance without adding the bulk typically associated with a battery of this size. Just how far can a 10,000mAh battery really go? vivo will put the V80 Lite’s endurance to the test in a record-setting feat to be revealed soon. For now, vivo laboratory tests provide an early look at what the battery can deliver. The V80 Lite lasted up to 30 hours of video streaming, 30 hours of TikTok playback, 68 hours of phone calls, and 14 hours of MLBB gaming in single-app usage scenarios. Tests were conducted under controlled laboratory conditions, including an ambient temperature of 25±2°C, with the phone starting at 100% charge.

“Battery capacity only matters if it translates into time people can actually use their phones,” said Liu Lu, Brand Marketing Director at vivo Philippines. “With the V80 Lite, we focused on making a larger battery practical for everyday use while also building it to remain dependable over the years.” Built for years, not just longer days Beyond endurance on a single charge, the V80 Lite is engineered to maintain at least 80% battery health after 1,400 charging cycles. Based on vivo’s laboratory-simulated daily usage pattern of approximately 1.83 days per full charge and discharge, this is equivalent to roughly seven years of use. The phone is also designed to remain functional across a wide range of temperatures, from -30°C to 45°C. Its semi-solid electrolyte is engineered to provide stable power even in high-heat conditions

— a consideration particularly relevant in the Philippines, where people routinely use their phones outdoors in hot weather. In vivo laboratory testing at 45°C, the V80 Lite endured up to 45 hours of continuous calls and 16 hours of navigation. For Filipinos who rely on their smartphones for work, communication, navigation, entertainment, and staying connected throughout the day, the V80 Lite brings a simple proposition: more time powered on, with a battery built to last beyond the next charge. The vivo V80 Lite will be arriving soon. Filipinos can follow vivo Philippines on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X, or visit the vivo website and vivo Store app for updates on its local availability, launch details, and the upcoming endurance milestone.

Tech & Mobility Trends / On the Road 10th Anniversary

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2026 rumallari@thestandard.com.ph rieramallari@yahoo.com

Globe AT HOME expands GFiber lineup with more choices, added value for Filipino homes

The rise...

From E1

advanced implementations can handle conversations and calls. AI Live Call Translation and AI Screen Translation are available in vivo, with transcription and summaries. OPPO can create summaries and action points, and offers live translation. Hi Translate by TECNO can translate text, voice and photos, including offline face-to-face exchanges on supported devices. Xiaomi’s AI Interpreter is meant for conversations, calls and meetings and offers offline translation in supported scenarios. This might be one of the most useful AI-phone applications for Filipinos who travel a lot or work with people speaking other languages. Making speech useful information AI transcription may not be flashy, but it could be one of the most useful features for journalists, students, executives and content creators. If you have a recorded meeting , it can be transcribed to text , identify speakers , summarize important points , extract action items . You do n’t have to replay an entire recording . vivo’s AI Transcript Assist turns recordings into searchable text and highlights key points. OPPO AI Recording Summary detects multiple speakers and summarizes recordings, Xiaomi AI Speech Recognition provides transcriptions, speaker recognition, summaries and translation.

The phone as your personal assistant “The next step is an AI assistant that can not only answer questions, but understand context and do things.” Ella, from TECNO, is able to understand natural language commands, assisting with schedules, navigation, text editing and translation. Infinix’s Folax is capable of making calls, playing music, and helping with travel planning, writing, and summaries. Google Gemini arrives at writing, calls, notes, transcription & translation via vivo. While OPPO’s AI Mind Pilot is more agent-like, nubia’s AI vision includes agents that can move between apps and perform multi-step instructions. The question is no longer, “Can my phone answer me?” but “Can my phone do something for me?” Off-the-Grid Privacy & AI With greater intelligence, privacy concerns are also raised as smartphones can potentially process photographs, messages, recordings, documents, locations and personal preferences. This is where on-device processing comes into play. HONOR pitches it as a privacy and security benefit, while OPPO speaks of lower latency and privacypreserving experiences. Xiaomi’s edgeto-cloud security architecture combines on-device storage with secure cloud computing. Another important development is

GLOBE AT HOME is expanding its GFiber portfolio to give Filipino households more options across different budgets and needs, from more accessible plans to premium offers, with plans designed around the way Filipinos live, stream, work, and connect. More than speed, Globe is building its GFiber plans around a broader view of value, pairing connectivity with rewards, features and services that reflect how households actually stay connected every day. At the center of the lineup is GFiber 1499 UNLI, a value-led plan that delivers internet speeds of up to 300 Mbps and is designed for streaming shows, video calls, and gaming. It comes with no lockup, unlimited internet, a WiFi 6 modem that can connect up to 15 devices with low latency, access to Blast TV, and a Choose Your Own freebie worth up to P2,000. The plan also comes with an installation fee of P2,400 amortized over 24 months and just P1 upfront fee, making it a more accessible entry point for households that want fiber internet without the heavy upfront cost. For households that want more from their home internet, Globe AT HOME’s GFiber lineup also includes premium offers built around speed, service, and intelligent-home value. The company has positioned GFiber Plans as a stronger fit for connected homes that rely on high-speed fiber for work, entertainment, gaming, and multiple devices running at once. With plans that can go up to 2.5 Gbps, Globe AT HOME is pairing speed with WiFi 7, AI-powered modems, and added inclusions that help customers get more value from their subscription. These plans are designed not only to connect homes, but to support the way families actually use the internet every day. One of the key value drivers is Globe AT HOME’s Choose Your Own Voucher program, which gives subscribers up to P9,000 in vouchers from partner brands in tech and gaming, wellness and travel, and home improvements. For customers looking for premium care alongside premium performance, GFiber Plan 2499 brings together 1 Gbps connectivity, VIP Hotline access, Care Squad in-home support, and a Service Guarantee that includes GFiber Protect and a 12-month device warranty. Globe AT HOME is positioning this plan for households that want a more dependable and more personalized support Offline AI. OPPO, TECNO and Xiaomi have supported offline translation functions in supported scenarios, and Infinix has promoted assistant functions that can stay available without an internet connection on supported devices. This can be particularly handy when traveling or in areas with spotty connectivity. The smartphone as an interface to AI

experience, in addition to fast internet. The value becomes even stronger through The Perfect Pair: Mobile + Home Advantage, which combines Globe Mobile and GFiber AT HOME into one ecosystem. Customers can unlock up to P500 in monthly savings or prepaid promos for a year, or enjoy up to 12 months of GFiber AT HOME internet free. Globe says the bundle is its way of recognizing customer trust across both mobile and home connectivity while making the whole experience more rewarding. Beyond plan inclusions, Globe AT HOME is also putting greater emphasis on consistency as part of the broadband experience. Both Globe Mobile and GFiber AT HOME have been recognized by Ookla® as the Philippines’ Most Consistent Network for Mobile and Fixed Broadband. This means giving customers more ways to choose a plan based not only on speed, but on connectivity, service, flexibility and added benefits that matter to their household. Customers can explore Globe AT HOME GFiber Plans and find an option suited to their household’s connectivity needs at https://glbe.com.ph/GAH-PR.

In today’s world of AI-phones, it’s not just one feature that counts. It is the coming together of on-device computing, generative AI, language models, cameras, voice recognition, translation and intelligent assistants in one device. HONOR is integrating AI into the operating-system experience, OPPO is focusing on on-device intelligence and productivity, vivo is looking

at communication and assistance, Xiaomi is integrating AI across text, voice and images, TECNO and Infinix are bringing assistants, translation and creative tools to more accessible segments while nubia is looking at the AI-native phone with agents that can operate across applications. The smartphone was called “smar t ” because it could run applications.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2026 rumallari@thestandard.com.ph rieramallari@yahoo.com

Tech & Mobility Trends / On the Road 10th Anniversary

RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor EDGARD HILARIO, Asst. Editor

From taxis to tech ecosystems: The evolution of urban mobility From car bookings to demand prediction, managing EVs and moving pretty much anything By Jessica Luna

N a usually huddled Metro Manila day, the trip often starts with a familiar ritual: open the phone, type in a destination and check the fare.

Is Grab pricier? Have you found a better rate on another app? Would a motorbike taxi go through traffic quicker? Do you have an electric car available? For commuters, these are no-brainers. But behind the smartphone screen a much more complex system is at play. Ride-hailing platforms today are using artificial intelligence, predictive analytics, digital payments, real-time mapping and fleet-management technology to figure out how passengers and vehicles move around the city. The industry that once promised to deliver a car to your doorstep is evolving into a digital mobility ecosystem, one that can transport people, food, parcels and money while analyzing enormous amounts of data. The booking algorithm When a passenger hails a ride, the app isn’t just finding the nearest car that’s available. Modern platforms can take into account location, traffic, estimated time of arrival, availability of vehicles, and patterns of demand, to decide how the network should respond. That is the invisible intelligence behind the moving car icon we see on the screen. For example, Grab has been increasing its use of AI and predictive technology, saying its platform can use real-time signals to sense, understand and predict everyday demand. (grab.com) In Metro Manila, a few hundred meters away from a passenger, a car can still take minutes to arrive due to traffic or road restrictions, so smarter matching can really make a difference. It’s a simple goal: Get the right vehicle to the right passenger at the right time. Negotiating with Dynamic Pricing Technology is also changing another aspect of the taxi mode, pricing.

Ride hailing platforms can vary fares based on demand, supply, distance, traffic and time. That means passengers on the same route might not always pay the same fare. Not all platforms follow the same model. inDrive has established itself on the idea that passengers could offer a fare and drivers could accept or negotiate. The approach offers a substitute for algorithmically determined pricing. inDrive is also moving beyond passenger transport into areas such as courier and grocery delivery, using machine learning and artificial intelligence for mapping, ETA accuracy, predictive analytics and personalization. (blog.indrive.com) The difference is basically who is the final arbiter of the price, but both models rely heavily on technology to connect passengers and drivers. The driver becomes a data point Technology is also changing the role of the driver. The smartphone can display demand hotspots, navigation, earnings, incentives and booking information. Drivers can make decisions based on where demand is likely to arise rather than

just drive around waiting for passengers. Platforms can use analytics in order to optimize vehicle utilization and minimize idle time. For cabbies, every minute they’re not picking up a fare is money down the drain. For platforms, a more efficient use of a vehicle can mean better availability for customers. The goal for both sides is the same, keep the wheels going. When the ride becomes a delivery van One of the industry’s biggest shifts has been the blurring of the lines between ride-hailing and delivery. The car that takes you to work in the morning can pick up another passenger later, or deliver food, or transport a parcel. Grab has built an ecosystem linking mobility with food, groceries, parcel delivery, payments and financial services. Its platform leverages data and algorithms to coordinate millions of rides and deliveries across Southeast Asia. (grab.com) From the electric-mobility point of view, Green GSM is following the same path. Its service in the Philippines combines car booking and delivery using electric vehicles from VinFast. (greengsm.ph) The vehicle is no longer a taxi. It becomes an asset in a bigger logistics network. The electric drive The future of ride-hailing is becoming more and more electric. But electrifying ride-hailing isn’t just about swapping out gasoline cars for EVs. Platforms need to consider charging time, battery levels, vehicle usage, charging locations and operational costs. That’s why data is so important. A smart fleet system could figure out which vehicle should pick up a long-distance passenger, which should stay near a charging station and which should be in a high-demand zone. Grab is already building this infrastructure in the Philippines. In July 2026, it announced partnerships for electric taxi and TNVS partners to have access to more than 600 chargers at preferential rates. (grab.com) Meanwhile, Green GSM has rolled out its service in the Philippines with electric VinFast vehicles, blending transport with delivery and digital payments. (greengsm.ph) The EV transition is therefore also a fleet-management and data problem.

Tech & Mobility Trends On the Road 10th Anniversary

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2026 rumallari@thestandard.com.ph rieramallari@yahoo.com

RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor EDGARD HILARIO, Asst. Editor

Cashless Philippines: Are we becoming a digital-payment nation at Last? By Jessica Luna

HERE was a time when it was almost unthinkable to leave your house without cash in your pocket. Today a smartphone can be a wallet, a bank, a payment card and even a public transit ticket. The familiar exchange of bills and coins can now be replaced with a QR code at a neighborhood store, a tap of a card at a terminal or a quick transfer through a mobile app. The Philippines is surely on its way to a cashless economy – but the bigger question is, is it ready to be a truly digital-payment nation? The figures show the change is already well underway. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said digital payments made up 57.4 percent of the

total retail payment volume in 2024, up from 52.8 percent in 2023. Digital payments accounted for 59 percent of the value of retail transactions as well. This shift has been enabled by person-to-person and person-tomerchant transactions. The revolution of QR code The QR code is perhaps the most visible symbol of the country’s cashless transition. Accepting digital payments doesn’t mean you need to install

complicated equipment any more, for the small food stall, café, convenience store or neighborhood merchant. To pay, a customer simply opens their e-wallet or banking app, scans a code and confirms the amount. Maya supports QR Ph that allows customers to scan QR codes of participating merchants via Maya or other participating bank and e-wallet apps. Its business platform also enables merchants to accept multiple payment providers via one QR code.

The same experience also comes with GCash’s Pay QR and QR Ph services. Users can scan a merchant’s QR code or generate their own QR code for another person to scan. This interop is important. Instead of a merchant needing to show a different QR code for each wallet, QR Ph is structured as a common national standard, enabling participating banks and electronicmoney institutions to link up through one system. That’s one reason why digital payments are a lot more viable for regular Filipinos. From GCash to Maya to PalawanPay The country’s digital-payment ecosystem is no longer a monopoly for one or two platforms. For example, PalawanPay allows users to pay participating merchants through QR code scanning. Its services go beyond retail payments into areas like bills payment, remittances and other transactions within its ecosystem. PalawanPay also accepts QR Ph payments from merchants within the QR Ph network. The expanding reach of wallets is key as the shift to cashless is not confined to the big shopping malls and large retailers. It is increasingly encroaching on the sort of everyday transactions that have traditionally been the domain of cash. Turn to F3

From work, school, and entertainment:

Why Converge Super FiberX just makes sense ELGIE Rañosa’s day does not really end when she leaves the laboratory. As a lab manager in a clinic in Legazpi City, Albay, she still has patients to communicate with and work to attend to even at home. Her grandchildren may also need help with school projects, and when there is finally time to slow down, she might watch TV or movies, browse Facebook, or catch up on the news. The internet has become part of all these things, so having a connection she can rely on matters to her and her family. Before switching to Converge, she experienced frequent connection problems with her previous provider. She discovered Converge through social media and was drawn to Super FiberX because it offered both internet and cable television. “Parang makakamura ako kasi may internet na, meron pang cable,” she said. Since switching, one of the things Elgie appreciates is how easily she can get online when she gets home. Her phone is connected immediately, and she can check Messenger, where she keeps in touch with patients and responds to queries. For Elgie, chatting through Messenger is part of how she stays on top of things without having to spend extra on mobile load. “Kasi uso na ngayon ang Messenger. Kung wala kang Internet, hindi ka makakagamit

Since subscribing to Converge Super FiberX, Elgie appreciates how easily she can connect to the internet to chat with patients through Messenger, allowing her to stay on top of things without having to spend extra on mobile load.

ng Messenger,” she said. “Lalo hindi naman ako nagde-data kasi bakit gagastos pa ako kung meron naman nang internet?” The same connection that lets her answer a patient can later be used by her grandchildren for a school project, then by Elgie herself for some entertainment. That is also how Super FiberX fits into their household. An upgraded version of FiberX, Super FiberX combines highspeed fiber internet with

features for more enriching entertainment such as a WiFi 6-powered modem, access to SkyTV, and the Googlecertified Android TV box called Xperience Hub. Plans offer speeds from up to 200 Mbps to 1 Gbps. For Elgie and her family, these features complement the ways they use connectivity. Because of the dependable connection it offers, she can now easily balance her demanding work schedule with time to relax.

Elgie Rañosa, a laboratory manager and Converge Super FiberX subscriber from Legazpi City, Albay.

That is why, when people ask her what internet service she uses, she already knows what to tell them. “Para sa’k in, highly recommended ko ang Converge. May mga nagtatanong sa akin, ‘Ano ba ang internet mo?’ [Sinasabi ko,] ‘Converge. Du’n ka na lang. Hindi pa nagla-lag. Madali pa silang kausapin.’” Her experience also reflects a broader picture of the network performance of Converge.

For the first half of 2026, Converge swept the top honors in the Speedtest Intelligence report of Ookla®, the global authority in broadband and mobile network testing. Based on Ookla’s consumer-initiated tests conducted during the period, Converge dominated all major fixed-broadband metrics, earning the “Best Internet,” “Fastest Internet,” and “Best Fixed Latenc y ” recognitions for January to June 2026.

Tech & Mobility Trends / On the Road 10th Anniversary

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2026 rumallari@thestandard.com.ph rieramallari@yahoo.com

Synology® launches ActiveProtect Manager 2.0, bringing expanded platform support and advancing AI-driven security

Countries move to ban social media for children

ARIS—The European Union unveiled proposals on Wednesday to ban social media for children under 13, as a growing number of countries look to restrict children’s access to the platforms following a global backlash.

SYNOLOGY today launched ActiveProtect Manager 2.0 (APM 2.0), the latest software update for its ActiveProtect data protection appliances. This release introduces expanded platform coverage, cross-platform recovery, and enhanced security, with future updates bringing AI-driven threat mitigation. “Managing fragmented backup infrastructure drives up costs and slows recovery. The ActiveProtect appliance unites purpose-built storage with powerful data management software into a single, predictable investment,” said Jia-Yu Liu, Executive Vice President of the Synology Data Protection Group. “APM 2.0 builds on that value, enabling organizations to safeguard their entire hybrid infrastructure through one centralized, scalable solution.” Expanded platform coverage APM 2.0 extends protection to Amazon EC2, Azure VM, Proxmox VE, Nutanix AHV, and Google Workspace. Cross-platform recovery allows workloads to be backed up and restored across different environments, supporting both disaster recovery and seamless workload migration. Backup destinations have also expanded. ActiveProtect Vault now supports a wider range of Synology NAS models, while Azure Blob Storage joins the list of supported copy and tiering targets. Backups stored in Amazon S3 Storage or Azure Blob

Storage can be restored directly into either Amazon EC2 and Azure VM as a cloud disaster recovery strategy without routing through on-premises hardware, significantly reducing recovery times. AI-driven proactive resiliency ActiveProtect Manager 2.0 adds software-based storage encryption at the volume level to secure data at rest. Backup data and system configurations remain inaccessible in the event of drive theft or hardware loss. The upcoming APM 2.1 update will add AI/ML anomaly detection, tracking each backup version for shifts in change rate, file modifications, mass deletions, and entropy. Suspicious backup copies will be moved to quarantine for administrators to investigate, limiting the risk of backup contamination. The model learns from those outcomes to improve accuracy and reduce false positives. APM 2.1 will also scan backups for malware before restoration, using integrated third-party antivirus software such as Microsoft Defender, Bitdefender, and ESET. If malware is detected in the most recent backup, Auto Fallback restores the latest clean version instead. Availability ActiveProtect Manager 2.0 is available for all DPSeries appliances at no additional cost. For details, please refer to the product page.

More than 20 countries around the world have now taken steps to block or restrict children going online on social media, according to an AFP tally. Seven have measures already in place or set to be implemented, with their policies targeting children under the age of 15 or 16. Australia was the first country to introduce a blanket ban on social media for under-16s, at the end of 2025. The US state of California has also recently moved to tighten restrictions on minors’ access to social media. Under plans unveiled Wednesday by EU chief Ursula von der Leyen in the European Parliament, the bloc will also only allow limited, supervised access until the age of 15, after months of considering ways to protect minors from features designed to keep users hooked. Restrictions in place Social media has been banned for under16s in Australia since December 2025. However the ban so far appears to have been widely circumvented by teenagers, according to data released in August. Brazil began implementing measures in March requiring platforms to link the accounts of users aged under 16 to those of their parents, while also requiring platforms to verify users’ ages. In China, where the internet is tightly regulated by the state, minors’ access to social media has been restricted progressively since 2019. Initial measures imposed time limits and curfews on online gaming, before similar restrictions were extended in 2023 to social media and streaming platforms.

Indonesia has banned social media for under-16s since March. Malaysia has taken a similar approach, with legislation coming into force in June excluding under-16s from major platforms. Turkey is set to join the list after passing legislation to bar under-15s from social media in April. The law is expected to take effect in late 2026. The United Arab Emirates announced a ban on social media for under-15s last month, with implementation set for around in a year’s time. The governor of the US state of California, Gavin Newsom, signed around a dozen laws on September 10 aimed at protecting children online, including one banning platforms from offering addictive features to under-16s. The law will take effect in early 2027. Restrictions announced Across the 27-nation EU, the Greek government announced in early April that it intends to ban social media access for under-15s from January 2027. In Germany, where Chancellor Friedrich Merz supports restricting or even banning social media for children, an expert commission has proposed two options: gradual restrictions by age, or platformspecific restrictions. Austria and Slovenia are also preparing legislation to prohibit access for under-14s and under-15s, respectively. A similar debate is under way in Sweden, where a government commission has proposed banning social media for under-15s by early 2028. AFP

Filipinos gain opportunity to earn from San Miguel share sale through GStocks PH Filipino retail investors participated in SMC’s latest follow-on offering of preferred shares through GStocks PH, which offered dividend rates of up to 8.6% FILIPINOS experienced a more convenient way to participate in San Miguel Corporation’s (SMC) recent P30-billion preferred share offering through GStocks PH, offered by broker AB Capital Securities Inc., in the GCash app. The offering saw strong retail demand on the platform, giving GCash users access to preferred shares with annual dividend rates of up to 8.6483%. The SMC offering featured three preferred shares, all priced at P75 per share: SMC2V, with an 8.0401% annual dividend rate; SMC2W, at 8.3570%; and SMC2X, at 8.6483%. On GStocks PH, demand exceeded the broker’s initial allocation across all three shares, with SMC2V oversubscribed by 3.1 times, SMC2W by 1.3 times, and SMC2X by 1.7

times. The strong demand highlights growing interest among Filipino retail investors in opportunities beyond traditional savings, and the role of digital investing platforms in making the capital markets more accessible to a broader segment of Filipinos. Expanding access to investing through digital platforms In the past, retail investors typically needed a bank account and had to coordinate with a broker to invest in the stock market, much less subscribe to an initial public offering (IPO) or follow-on offering (FOO). Even after completing these steps, investors traditionally had to wait until after the offer period to confirm orders for share offering, making the process less convenient.

This is especially challenging when demand exceeds availability, causing an offering to be oversubscribed and potentially resulting in incomplete or zero share allocations. GStocks PH’s digital IPO/FOO subscription feature, offered by AB Capital Securities, streamlines this experience by giving investors greater visibility throughout the subscription process. During the SMC offering, the platform distributed its initial allotted broker shares in real time after order confirmation, making allocations guaranteed on a first come, first served basis. Users could also check the availability of broker’s shares through the subscription meter. W h e n t h e b r o k e r ’s i n i t i a l

Filipinos can become part owners of top companies in the Philippines through GStocks PH, the trading platform offered by AB Capital Securities Inc. found in the GCash app.

Since launching on GCash in 2023, over 2 million Filipino users have registered on GStocks PH, offered by AB Capital Securities Inc. The platform expands access to investing, helping more Filipinos build a stronger financial future.

allotment became fully sold out on the platform, retail investors could still digitally place orders on GStocks PH and check their allocation results directly through the GCash app after the offer period, without having to coordinate separately with a physical broker. Together, these features make it easier for more Filipinos to participate in share offerings through a more transparent and convenient digital investing experience. Fully verified GCash users who want to start investing in stocks,

building a diversified portfolio, or participating in corporate share offerings, can open the GCash app, go to the Invest tab, select GStocks PH, and open an account with AB Capital Securities Inc. No bank account is required. As digital investing continues to evolve, GCash remains committed to providing accessible and inclusive financial tools that help Filipinos invest, build wealth, and work toward a more secure financial future. For more information, please visit www.gcash.com.

Tech & Mobility Trends / On the Road 10th Anniversary

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2026 rumallari@thestandard.com.ph rieramallari@yahoo.com

The road ahead with electric scooters

Cashless...

From F1

A customer buying lunch, paying a bill, sending money to a family member or buying goods from a small merchant can increasingly complete the transaction without handing over physical money. When the bank is an app Digital wallets are also becoming a gateway to a wider range of financial services. Maya, for example, merges digital banking with wallet functions so users can spend, save, transfer money and access other financial services within a single ecosystem. This convergence is important, because the move to cashless isn’t just a matter of replacing paper money with QR codes. It is also about shifting more of the financial relationship between consumers, merchants and banks onto digital platforms. For consumers, that means being able to check balances, pay bills, transfer money and make purchases without going into a bank branch. The Rise of Tap But QR codes aren’t the only technology changing how Filipinos pay. NFC or Near Field Communication allows customers to pay contactlessly simply by tapping a compatible card or smartphone on a payment terminal. GCash is slowly deploying Tap to Pay that enables eligible Android users with NFC-enabled phones to transact at partner terminals with no scanning or swiping needed. PalawanPay has also enabled Google Pay Tap to Pay for its Visa card so that eligible Android users can add their card to Google Wallet and tap their phone at contactless terminals. M e a nw h i l e, m o re p ay m e nt terminals support multiple methods (QR, cards and NFC ) – giving consumers more ways to ditch cash.

Maya’s terminals support card tap, dip and swipe as well as QR Ph payments. Even the commutes are going paperless Transportation is one of the clearest examples of a changing payment culture. The beep™ ecosystem currently allows passengers to use contactless cards on transport systems that are part of the program and also provides QR tickets that can be bought via banking and e-wallet apps including GCash and Maya. The beep™ app also allows for digital loading through partners like GCash, Maya and PalawanPay. Load can also be transferred to a beep™ card using NFC-enabled phones. So the journey to cashless payments doesn’t stop at the shopping counter. It’s also slowly coming into the daily commute. Are we prepared to ditch cash? The Philippines has come a long way, obviously. The BSP said more than half of retail payment transactions were already digital in 2024. QR Ph is enabling more interoperability, and more places are opening up for Filipinos to pay digitally through wallets, bank apps, contactless cards and transport-payment systems. But to become fully cashless nation is a bigger challenge. Cash remains useful where connectivity is poor, where a merchant does not acceptdigital payments or where consumers do not have access to the necessary smartphone, account or financial service. Digital adoption also requires a sustained focus on cybersecurity, fraud prevention, privacy, consumer education and reliable connectivity. So maybe the Philippines isn’t going to be a fully cashless country yet. Instead, it is becoming a country where cash is increasingly becoming one payment option. The smartphone and the contactless card are gradually transforming the way Filipinos transfer money – from the sari-sari store to the shopping mall, from remittances to family to paying for a bus ride. The real test of a digital-payment nation may be whether cash disappears altogether. It may be if Filipinos can last a whole day without it—and increasingly many can, already.

By Marielle Reyes

S CITIES become more crowded and the demand for daily commutes increase, Filipinos are looking for practical ways to move around without adding to the cost of getting from one place to another.

Electric scooters are emerging as an alternative to conventional motorcycles, offering a combination of convenience, efficiency, and more sustainable mobility for everyday trips. Among the brands contributing to this shift is VinFast, which continues to expand its presence in the Philippine electric mobility market. Its range of electric motorcycles and scooters is designed around the needs of urban riders, from daily commuters to those looking for a convenient vehicle for shorter trips and errands around the city. One of the most noticeable advantages of going electric is the potential savings on daily transportation. Instead of depending on gasoline, electric scooters use electricity to power their motors, helping riders reduce their exposure to changing fuel prices. For those who ride frequently, these savings can add up over weeks and months. Electric scooters can also offer a different approach to vehicle maintenance. With an electric powertrain having fewer moving components than a traditional combustion engine, there

The author Marielle Reyes and Earl Maghirang trying out the VinFast Scooters

are fewer engine-related parts that require regular servicing. The absence of engine oil and other combustion-related maintenance can translate to simpler upkeep and lower ownership costs. The benefits extend beyond the rider’s wallet. Electric scooters produce no tailpipe emissions while in operation, meaning they do not directly release exhaust pollutants onto city streets. In busy urban areas where motorcycles are a common form of transportation, Turn to F4

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2026 rumallari@thestandard.com.ph rieramallari@yahoo.com

Tech & Mobility Trends / On the Road 10th Anniversary

Back-to-Back Global Awards: Volvo EX30 wins prestigious Good Design Award and Volvo XC90 T8 PHEV named Best Luxury SUV HARIPHIL Asia Resources Inc. (HARI), the official distributor of Volvo Cars in the Philippines, celebrates the latest global recognitions received by the Volvo EX30 and Volvo XC90 PHEV; two exceptional models that exemplify Volvo’s leadership in design, innovation, and automotive safety. These backto-back awards highlight Volvo’s enduring commitment to forwardthinking mobility, sustainability, and human-centric engineering. They further reinforce the brand’s dedication to creating vehicles that prioritize sustainability, performance, and an exceptional ownership experience.

of the Year 2026 Awards, standing out among a strong lineup of global competitors. Judges were particularly impressed with its premium design, advanced features, and dynamic driving capability, especially in the topspec Ultra T8 Plug-in Hybrid variant. This recognition underscores the Volvo XC90’s ability to deliver a refined luxury experience while maintaining the versatility and functionality expected from a flagship family SUV, reaffirming its

The fully electric Volvo EX30 seamlessly blends intelligent technology, sustainable design, and signature Volvo safety into a premium compact SUV tailored for modern urban life. Showcasing modern Scandinavian design, advanced digital interfaces, and a sustainability-focused interior, the EX30 exemplifies Volvo’s commitment to responsible luxury. This forward-thinking approach has earned the EX30 the prestigious Good Design® Award

status as one of the most trusted and celebrated models in its class. Together, these accolades mark another significant milestone for Volvo Cars, demonstrating how innovation, safety, and purposeful design remain at the heart of every Volvo vehicle. Through models like the EX30 and XC90, Volvo continues to shape a future where sustainable mobility and premium driving experiences go hand in hand. “These award-winning Volvo EX30 and XC90 PHEV vehicles exemplify the perfect fusion of cutting-edge technology, Scandinavian design, and worldclass safety. At HARI, we are proud to make these models accessible to Filipino drivers, empowering them with confidence, sustainability, and style in every journey,” said Ms. Maria Fe Perez-Agudo, Vice Chairman, President, and CEO of HARI. Experience Volvo’s awardwinning innovation firsthand. Visit Volvo Makati and schedule a test drive today. For inquiries or bookings, contact +63 908 891 4286 or inquiry@volvocarsph.com. Discover how Volvo continues to set the standard in safety, sustainability, and Scandinavian luxury.

2025, recognizing its outstanding design philosophy, functionality, and innovation, and further solidifying its position as one of Volvo’s most progressive electric vehicles. The Award-Winning Volvo XC90, the brand’s flagship luxury SUV renowned for its exceptional safety technologies, refined craf tsmanship, and familyfocused practicality, has been named Best Luxury SUV in its category at Australia’s Drive Car

The road...

From F3

SHELL marked another milestone in its nationwide workshop expansion with the back-to-back grand openings of its 18th and 19th Shell Helix Flagship Autoworkshops in BF Homes, Paranaque and Aguinaldo Highway, Imus Cavite

Executives and representatives from Shell Pilipinas Corporation, alongside the owners and investors of Garage Autokings Corp., celebrate the official launch of the 18th and 19th Shell Helix Flagship Auto Workshops in the Philippines

Shell Opens New Shell Helix Flagship Auto Workshops in Parañaque and Imus SHELL marked another milestone in its nationwide workshop expansion with the back-to-back grand openings of its 18th and 19th Shell Helix Flagship Auto Workshops in BF Homes, Parañaque and Aguinaldo Highway Imus, Cavite on September 10, reinforcing its commitment to serve motorists across southern Metro Manila and the rest of the country. Launched through a strategic partnership between Shell Helix and leading independent auto workshops across the Philippines, Shell Helix Flagship Auto Workshops highlights Shell’s investment in Filipino technical expertise and its commitment to make accessible, reliable, and world-class auto repair and maintenance services available to more customers. The newly opened 18th and 19th Shell Helix Flagship Auto Workshops are operated by Garage Autokings Corp., an established workshop operator with a network of 5 branches in Luzon.

The expansion also builds on Shell’s global lubricants leadership, with Shell Lubricants retaining its position as the world’s No. 1 best-selling lubricants brand for 19 years running*, according to Kline & Company. Since its launch a year ago, the Shell Helix Flagship Auto Workshop network has expanded across key locations in the country, including Metro Manila sites in San Juan, Marikina City, Quezon City, Makati City and Parañaque City; Central Luzon locations in San Fernando, Pampanga and San Jose del Monte, Bulacan; South Luzon locations in Imus, Cavite, Albay, Bicol, San Pablo, Laguna and Lipa, Batangas; and Visayas and Mindanao locations in Roxas City, Silay City, Bacolod City, Iloilo City, Tandag City, Davao City and General Santos City. For more information, visit www.shell.com.ph/ fuels-oils-and-coolants/helix-flagship

greater adoption of electric mobility could contribute to cleaner local air. There is also a broader environmental conversation surrounding electric vehicles and their batteries. Their overall environmental impact depends on factors such as how electricity is generated, batter y produc tion, and responsible battery disposal or recycling. Even so, replacing direct gasoline combustion with electric power represents a shift in how energy is used for everyday transportation. For Filipino riders, practicality remains just as important as sustainability. Charging access, battery range, service support, and the vehicle’s ability to handle everyday routes all influence whether an electric scooter fits into a person’s lifestyle. As more infrastructure develops, these considerations can become easier for riders to navigate. Electric scooters also fit naturally into the way many Filipinos already use two-wheelers. They can make short trips to work, school, shops, restaurants, or other destinations without requiring a full-sized vehicle. Their compact design can also make them particularly suited to navigating busy city roads and congested streets. The growing presence of electric

MS contributing writer Earl Maghirang

motorcycles signals a broader change in how transportation is being considered. Mobility is increasingly connected not only to convenience, but also to household expenses and environmental responsibility. For riders, choosing electric can become a practical lifestyle decision rather than simply a technological one. As electric mobility continues to develop in the Philippines, e-scooters offer a glimpse into how everyday transportation could evolve. Lower reliance on gasoline, potentially simpler maintenance, and zero tailpipe emissions gives riders several factors to consider beyond simply reaching their destination. For the modern commuter, the journey toward more sustainable mobility may begin with something as simple as choosing a different way to travel.

VinFast scooters on display

Tech & Mobility Trends On the Road 10th Anniversary

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2026 rumallari@thestandard.com.ph rieramallari@yahoo.com

RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor EDGARD HILARIO, Asst. Editor

Marking Eight Generations of Foldable Innovation: The Incredible Evolution of Samsung’s Galaxy Z Series • Since the introduction of Galaxy Fold in 2019, Samsung has evolved the foldable experience across form factor, displays, durability, multitasking, cameras and Galaxy AI. • Over the years, Galaxy Z Fold has supported large-screen productivity and immersive viewing, while Galaxy Z Flip has introduced new ways to create, express and interact through a compact foldable form factor. • Today, Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold8 and Galaxy Z Flip8 offer three distinct foldable experiences designed to meet different lifestyle needs. Do you remember the first time you ever saw a foldable mobile phone? Modern foldables of today have evolved far beyond just a screen that folds. Samsung’s lineup now combines intelligent features with large displays for productivity, entertainment, and communication. Since the introduction of the first Galaxy Fold in 2019, Samsung has been leveraging a deep understanding of consumer needs and strengthening expertise in this category. Valuable insights and experiences gained from seven generations of foldable innovation has resulted in the most complete line-up yet – the all-new Galaxy Z8 series. This exciting line-up is resonating with consumers globally, including those in Southeast Asia and Oceania. In this region, sales of the Galaxy Z Fold8 and Fold8 Ultra have grown 40% compared to the Galaxy Z Fold7. The new series is also compelling more people in the region to embrace Samsung foldables, with switchers to the Galaxy Z Fold8 series from other brands increasing by more than 60% compared to those who made a switch to the previous Z Fold generation. From the latest innovations unveiled in 2026, let’s trace Samsung’s evolution of foldable technology through the years - from its newest breakthroughs, all the way back to the debut of its very first foldable phone. Here’s how the journey unfolded. 2026: Three distinct foldables built for immersion, productivity and self-expression The latest foldable line-up presents a broad portfolio designed to meet distinct user needs. The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold8 and Galaxy Z Flip8 bring together advancements across form factor, display engineering, camera features, and Galaxy AI, empowering users with more choice than ever to pick a foldable that best suits their needs. Galaxy Z Fold8 • A new form factor offers display ratios optimized for content consumption: A 10:16 cover screen for quick everyday interactions and a 4:3 main display for games, films, and also reading. • At 201g, it is Samsung’s lightest Galaxy Z Fold , and is powered by the Snapdragon® 8 Elite Gen 5

Mobile Platform for Galaxy and 4,800mAh battery . • Flex Titanium is introduced across the Galaxy Z series - a display structure combining a titanium alloy film with an enhanced titanium plate to make the foldable thinner, strengthen display support, and reduce crease visibility over time. Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra • First Ultra foldable brings Galaxy’s Ultra standard for performance, capability and innovation to an expansive 8-inch main display designed for multitasking and content creation. • Ultra-level camera system: 200MP Main Camera with HDR capability in 200MP mode, new 50MP ultra-wide Camera, improved Nightography, and 8K video recording with the new APV codec and Cine LUT. Galaxy Z Flip8 • Reimagined FlexWindow brings apps, insights and actions to the cover screen - Now Brief on the FlexWindow surfaces timely insights and next steps. • Flip camera experience is enhanced with a 50MP camera and ProVisual Engine, alongside Flex Mode, Camcorder Grip with Zoom Rocker, Super Steady with Horizontal Lock, FlipShot and Mirror view. • Weighing 180g and measuring 6.1mm thick, it is Samsung’s slimmest and lightest Flip . 2024 to 2025: Bigger possibilities for everyone with mobile AI In 2024, the Galaxy Z series was first equipped with Galaxy AI, offering users AI-powered experiences tailored to each form factor. 2025: A Thinner Fold and an Edge-to-Edge FlexWindow • The Galaxy Z Fold7 introduced the first flagship-level 200MP wide-angle camera in the Galaxy Z series, pairing upgraded imaging capabilities with a large screen for editing and content creation. • At just 8.9mm thick when folded and weighing only 215 grams, the Galaxy Z Fold7 was lighter than even the Galaxy S25 Ultra.

• The Galaxy Z Flip7 featured a new 4.1-inch edge-to-edge FlexWindow , enabling users to access AI-powered experiences and features like Now Brief without opening the device. 2024: Galaxy AI Comes to Foldables • The arrival of Galaxy AI was a pivotal moment, with AI experiences adapted to the distinct foldable form factors. • On Galaxy Z Fold6, large-screen multitasking was supported by AI-powered features like Note Assist, Composer and Sketch to Image. • Galaxy AI unlocked new possibilities for content creation with the Galaxy Z Flip6. With Auto Zoom, FlexCam could automatically detect the subject and adjust framing, making it easier to capture hands-free photos and videos. 2021-2023: Bringing foldables into everyone’s everyday life As the categor y developed, Samsung continued to refine foldables to improve durability and increase versatility, enabling the form factor to better fit into everyday life. 2023: Flex Hinge and Flex Window Refine the Foldable Form • Galaxy Z Fold5 introduced the new Flex Hinge, designed to diffuse external impact and support a more balanced foldable design. • The Galaxy Z Flip5 was equipped with a 3.4inch FlexWindow, expanding access to Widgets, messages, and camera functions directly from the cover screen. 2022: Foldable Experiences Support HandsFree Content and PC-Like Multitasking • Galaxy Z Fold4 was the first foldable to ship with Android 12L, a version of Android created specifically for large-screen experiences. • A new Taskbar supported a PC-like layout, and new swipe gestures made it easier to move between apps and multitask on the Main Screen. • Galaxy Z Flip4 expanded creative possibilities with FlexCam, enabling hands-free photos and videos from multiple angles, while enhanced Quick Shot right from the cover screen made

selfies more convenient. 2021: Enhanced durability with IPX8 Water Resistance • As foldables became a bigger part of everyday life, improving durability was a top priority. • Galaxy Z Fold3 and Galaxy Z Flip3 brought IPX8 water resistance to the foldable line-up, marking an important advancement for the category. • Both devices were also built with Armor Aluminum, which was the strongest aluminum ever used on a Galaxy phone. 2019-2020: Can you fold a mobile phone? Long before foldables became familiar in everyday mobile experiences, Samsung took the bold step of reimagining what the category could look like. And after launching a foldable for the first time in 2019, Samsung continued to show that foldables were not just phones with flexible screens, but devices that could support entirely new ways to enjoy mobile experiences. With relentless innovation over the years, Samsung has driven the technology from concept to mainstream adoption. • Galaxy Z Fold2 came with an expanded 6.2inch Infinity-O Display and introduced Flex Mode, enabling the phone to be used with a variety of angles depending on user needs – wide open, standing upright in a folded position, and more. • At the same time, Samsung launched the first Galaxy Z Flip, featuring the industry’s first foldable glass display built using Samsung’s Ultra-Thin Glass technology. • These innovations showed that foldables were not simply smartphones with flexible screens; they could create entirely new ways of interacting with mobile devices. 2019: Galaxy Fold Opens a New Chapter in Smartphone Innovation • The first step in the journey began in 2019 with the Galaxy Fold bringing foldable technology to mainstream consumers for the first time. • Its 7.3-inch Infinity Flex Display could transform a compact phone into a larger screen designed for viewing, productivity and multitasking. • Features such as App Continuity and MultiActive Window demonstrated how software and hardware could work together across a completely new form factor. •At the time, it was a bold vision of what the future of mobile technology could look like. More still to come for the Galaxy Z series What began as a bold idea in 2019 has evolved into a comprehensive Galaxy Z portfolio shaped by relentless innovation and improvements. The journey is far from over. Across the Galaxy Z series, Samsung will continue to make the foldable experience even more intuitive, capable, and seamless for everyone.

From fragmented trips to connected journeys: The push toward multimodal transportation By Lionell Go Macahilig

OR millions of Filipinos, getting from home to work, school, or another destination is rarely a one-vehicle journey.

A commuter might take a tricycle from a residential street to a jeepney terminal, transfer to a bus, walk to an MRT station, ride the train, and then take another jeepney or motorcycle to reach the final destination. In many cases, the challenge is not simply finding transportation. It is making all those connections work together. This is where the future of Philippine transportation is increasingly heading: multimodality and intermodality, where different transport modes are connected into a more coherent network rather than operating as separate pieces of the mobility system. The shift is already reflected in the country’s transportation plans. The Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023–2028 identifies interconnected multimodal transport and logistics as an important direction for infrastructure development, while major railway projects are being designed to connect with existing and planned transport systems. The goal is bigger than simply building more roads, buses, or trains. It is about changing the way Filipinos experience a journey. Beyond building more roads For decades, road transportation has carried the overwhelming majority of passenger and freight movement in the

Philippines. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) notes that about 98% of passenger transport and 55% of freight transport are by road, highlighting the country’s dependence on highways and other road-based infrastructure. That dependence comes with a cost. In Metro Manila, where population density, economic activity, and vehicle volumes converge, congestion can turn relatively short distances into lengthy commutes. The problem also extends beyond the capital, with growing urban centers such as Cebu and Davao facing their own mobility challenges. Adding road capacity alone cannot solve all of these problems. A more sustainable approach is to provide commuters with alternatives and make those alternatives connect effectively. A train needs buses and jeepneys to bring passengers to its stations. A bus terminal needs safe pedestrian connections. An airport needs road and rail links. A provincial railway needs stations that connect communities to local transport. Multimodality: making different modes work together Multimodal transportation essentially means using several modes within a journey. Consider a commuter traveling from a residential community in Bulacan to

a workplace in Makati. The journey could eventually involve a local feeder service, a commuter railway, the Metro Manila Subway, and a short walk or another local transport service. Each vehicle performs a different role. The local vehicle handles the first mile. The railway carries passengers over longer distances. Another train or bus provides the next connection, while walking or a smaller vehicle completes the final mile. Intermodality takes this concept further by focusing on the connections between those modes.

The transfer should ideally be convenient, safe, accessible, and predictable. Stations should be designed as points where different services meet rather than simply places where passengers get on and off a train. This is particularly evident in the planning of MRT-4. The proposed 13.4-kilometer railway connecting the eastern side of Metro Manila and Rizal is being developed as an integrated public transport system, with connections to existing and planned mass-transit systems and feeder bus and jeepney routes. Transitoriented development is also part of

the project’s concept. Railways as the backbone The government’s expanding railway program could become one of the most important foundations of a more interconnected transport network. Among the major projects is the 147-kilometer North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR), which is envisioned as a large-scale commuter railway connecting areas north and south of Metro Manila. The Malolos–Clark Railway (53.1km) forms part of the system, while the southern section will connect Metro Turn to G4

Tech & Mobility Trends / On the Road 10th Anniversary

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Your Salmon app’s industry-leading security features are designed to stop fraud before it happens AS FRAUD attacks become increasingly sophisticated in the Philippines, Salmon, one of the country’s leading fintech apps, continues to strengthen customer protection through powerful security features. Designed to proactively detect threats and prevent unauthorized access, Salmon’s advanced security systems help keep customer accounts and transactions safe before fraud can even happen. “Most financial platforms still treat fraud as something you respond to after the damage is done,” said Raffy Montemayor, Co-founder of Salmon. “At Salmon, we designed our security systems to work in the background and proactively stop fraud before it succeeds.” With this, Salmon customers can transact with greater confidence knowing their accounts are protected by multiple layers of intelligent security: Real-time visibility on where your account is used Unlike many financial apps, Salmon allows customers to view every device currently logged into their account, including the phone model, approximate location, and last active time. If a device appears unfamiliar or suspicious, customers can instantly terminate that session with a single tap directly inside the app. Their active device remains clearly labeled as “This device” to avoid accidental lockouts. Customers will also be able to see the apps, online stores, and other services, where their Salmon card is enrolled, and can easily restrict charges, if needed. This way, they have full visibility and control of where their Salmon account is being used. Instant card controls and one-time virtual cards Customers can instantly freeze or permanently block their Salmon card directly in the app if it is misplaced or suspected to be compromised, helping prevent unauthorized transactions in real time. For safer online purchases, customers can also generate a one-time virtual card that expires after a single transaction, keeping their primary card details protected and reducing the risk of card fraud. Detecting malicious apps One of the fastest-growing fraud threats in the Philippines involves malicious apps that silently read screen contents, intercept OTPs, and potentially execute unauthorized actions without the user’s knowledge. Salmon actively detects when a suspicious app on a customer’s device has gained a dangerous level of control. Depending on the risk-level, Salmon will either notify the customer about the detection in-app or via direct calls, or temporarily restrict sensitive account activity to help protect the customer. They will then be guided on removing malicious apps and protecting potentially exposed credentials.

King Charles to call on tech giants for ‘reassurances’ over AI

ONDON—King Charles III will urge tech giants to ensure that artificial intelligence is geared to serve humanity and that mankind does “not lose control”, during a conference in Scotland on Thursday.

Security beyond the OTP Many account takeover scams in the Philippines rely on intercepting OTPs through phishing links, fake calls, or malware. Salmon’s security model is designed so that an OTP alone cannot authorize sensitive actions. To access critical account functions such as money transfers, customers must complete live facial verification. Unlike standard phone face unlock systems, Salmon’s facial recognition technology is designed to verify real, live users before sensitive actions can proceed. This means that even if attackers successfully intercept OTPs, they still cannot move funds or fully take over an account which reduces the risk of account takeover fraud. In-app fraud confirmation in under a minute When Salmon detects a potentially high-risk transaction, it is flagged for confirmation before money leaves the customer’s account. Customers immediately receive an in-app notification containing key transaction details, allowing them to quickly review the activity and either confirm the transaction and retry it instantly, or report it as fraudulent. The entire process happens digitally within the app itself, without requiring hotline calls, lengthy wait times, or branch visits, unlike other banks or fintechs. 24/7 human anti-fraud support Salmon’s anti-fraud team operates around the clock, providing customers with access to real human support whenever suspicious activity arises. For more complex fraud-related cases, Salmon also assigns investigators to assist customers in documenting incidents, preparing complaints, and coordinating regulatory or legal filings when necessary. As digital scams continue to evolve, Salmon believes fintech security must move beyond reactive alerts and focus instead on proactive, customer-centered protection.

The gathering at Dumfries House will include senior representatives from Nvidia, Google DeepMind, OpenAI, Anthropic, the Minister for Artificial Intelligence Kanishka Narayan, Buckingham Palace said. The debate over the risks of artificial intelligence has intensified since the beginning of the summer, fuelled by several incidents and apocalyptic warnings from industry professionals. “Those in our world who value our humanity and its vital moral component are anxiously seeking your reassurance that we will not lose control of our destiny,” Charles will say at the opening of the conference, according to a statement from the palace. “The decisions taken at this formative time will shape the world inherited by future generations. And so, the task before you is not merely to advance technology, but to ensure that it remains firmly in the service of humanity, community and the natural world,” the British monarch will say. ‘Humanity must remain sacred’ As artificial intelligence evolves, “our humanity must remain sacred,” he will stress. The Palace has not published the full list of guests, but according to several sources close to the event, DeepMind president Demis Hassabis, the head of American semiconductor giant Nvidia, Jensen Huang, as well as OpenAI’s chief financial officer, Sarah Friar, are among the participants. The head of the US quantum computing group IonQ, Niccolo de Masi, will also be there. The king, who considers the development of AI to be both intriguing and deeply concerning in equal measure, will not take part in the discussions. He will join the participants before the start of the summit to urge them to

consider how to harness AI “by putting safety at its heart” and to build international cooperation so that “no nation is left behind -- and the future of mankind protected”, according to Buckingham Palace. A charter was drawn up ahead of the summit by the Ditchley Foundation, a UK charity overseeing the discussions, according to the Sunday Times. Several AI models from OpenAI and Anthropic reportedly broke out of their confined environments on their own, accessed the internet, and intruded on websites and platforms, rekindling fears that designers of AI agents could lose control of their creations. ‘Global coordination’ Anthropic’s CEO, Dario Amodei, on Saturday called on companies in the sector to slow down their development in order to better understand the risks, receiving support from OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Elon Musk. OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google are also studying the creation of a joint body tasked with developing standards. Microsoft meanwhile published a “Humanist AI Code of Conduc t ” on Monday emphasising the importance of human control and safety. On Wednesday, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said global coordination on AI was “indispensable” while Pope Leo XIV warned against the temptation to delegate to algorithms decisions that fall within the exclusive realm of human responsibility. Yoshua Bengio, the Canadian computer scientist considered one of the founders of AI, told AFP that humanity is “losing control” of the technology and the world needs guardrails similar to nuclear arms controls. AFP

TCL Unveils New High-Refresh Monitor Lineup TCL Philippines, the country’s No. 1 Panel T V brand and a global leader in home electronics, is expanding its display portfolio with two new high-per formance gaming monitors: the TCL 27P2A and 25P1AD. Built on TCL’s longstanding expertise in display technology, the new models combine speed, picture quality, and responsive performance at competitive price points, giving more Filipino gamers access to advanced display experiences. Since officially entering the Philippine monitor market earlier this year, TCL has continued to expand i t s o f fe r i n g fo r g a m e r s, professionals and consumers whose screens have become an increasingly important part of how they work, play and create. The move into monitors is a natural extension of TCL’s display business, bringing its expertise across different screen technologies into a category where performance, clarity and responsiveness matter. “Our newest TCL gaming monitors reflect decades of innovation in display technology. By combining CSOT ’s world- class panel e n g i n e e r i n g w i t h T C L’s continuous breakthroughs in gaming performance, we are delivering displays purposebuilt for how modern gamers and creators interact with their screens today,” says Maxi Chen, TCL Senior Product Manager of Browneline. He continues, “For the Philippine market, our focus is straightforward: to make advanced display technology more accessible while giving Fi l i p i n o c o n s u m e r s t h e performance they expect from

TCL. Whether they are gaming competitively, creating content, working, or simply enjoying their favorite entertainment, we want our products to deliver an experience that feels meaningful in everyday use. The 27P2A and 25P1AD are part of that commitment.” Performance Built for the Game Leading the new lineup is the TCL 25P1AD, a high-performance 25-inch QHD display built specifically for competitive gamers and fastpaced esports. A native 280Hz refresh rate guarantees consistently fluid FHD visuals. For those who push past the limits. Effortlessly unlock 300Hz via the monitor menu and unleash maximum speed. It allows you to instantly spot critical details, keeping you one step ahead of the competition. The TCL 25P1AD is engineered to give competitive players a decisive edge, pairing a blistering 0.5ms MPRT response time with intelligent Smart Gaming display

features that minimize motion blur and optimize target visibility. Built for smooth, lag-free action, the monitor features dual compatibility with both AMD FreeSync Premium and NVIDIA G-Sync to eliminate screen tearing and stuttering during highstakes play. Complete with HDR support and 400 nits of peak brightness, the 25P1AD delivers vivid contrast, razor-sharp detail, and tournament-grade fluidity for any setup. Following the monitor hierarchy is the TCL 27P2A, a 27-inch QHD (2560 x 1440) Mini LED gaming monitor. With a 200Hz ultra -high refresh rate,the image transition becomes more natural. During team battles and when swinging the gun, you can quickly capture key details, giving you the advantage of being one step ahead and achieving victory through ingenious strategies. Powered by Mini LED backlighting and reaching a striking 600 nits of peak brightness,

the display delivers deep contrast, vibrant highlights, and 99% sRGB color gamut coverage for lifelike visual fidelity. Engineered for intense competition, it pairs a true 1ms (GtG) response time with TCL’s proprietary TMOC Motion Clarity technology to eliminate motion blur and trailing. Complete with dual AMD FreeSync Premium and NVIDIA G-Sync compatibility, the 27P2A ensures tear-free, low-latency performance without sacrificing color or contrast. Both monitors 25P1AD and 27P2A utilize CSOT’s proprietary HFS (IPS-type) high-speed panel technology. This guarantees wide 178% viewing angles, rapid response times, and consistent color stability without color shifts. The TCL 27P2A and TCL 25P1AD monitors are both available through official TCL stores on Shopee and Lazada. For more information, visit www.tcl.com or follow TCL’s official Facebook and Instagram pages.

Tech & Mobility Trends / On the Road 10th Anniversary

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VinFast Evo: Built for Filipino Students and Young Professionals

INFAST Evo, one of VinFast E-Motorcycle’s first product lineup for the Philippines, makes a strong case as an entrylevel two-wheeler of choice for Filipino students and young professionals. Built with an ecosystem designed for first-time e-motorcycle owners, VinFast Evo entered the market as a practical and reliable mobility solution that can rival its 110cc–125cc gas scooter counterparts.

Automatic scooters, which accounted for 655,004 units sold, remain the default two-wheeler ride for Filipino students and young professionals — practical, affordable, and built for the daily grind. University, a first job, daily errands, casual evenings out — the average Filipino student or young professional isn’t juggling one thing, they’re juggling all of them. Their ride doesn’t need to do one extraordinary thing; it needs to keep up with the whole list. The VinFast Evo enters that segment conversation as an all-electric alternative designed to meet the same demands, without the fuel costs and emissions that come with them. E is for Easy on the Wallet There is a difference between cheap and worth it. For a young student, the ideal deal sits at the intersection of price, quality, and real-world performance. The Evo starts at PHP 62,900. Buyers can take the battery outright or opt for a subscription starting at P439 per month per battery with the first year free under the current promotional offer. The more compelling number comes later. VinFast estimates that over five years, the Evo can deliver a lower total cost of ownership compared to an equivalent gasoline motorcycle. The real question isn’t “How much does it cost?” but rather “How much does it cost you over time?” V is for Vibe-Ready A daily ride needs to be practical, but that doesn’t mean it has to look the part. If all anyone wanted was pure function, any two-wheeled machine with a motor would do. That’s where the Evo makes a different case. The Evo draws on modern design cues while keeping the clean, familiar lines of a classic European scooter. Rounded bodywork and a bold headlight give it a silhouette that reads as considered, not just convenient.

The Evo is available in four colorways: Olive Drab Light, Red Candy Tone, White Cyan Metallic, and Black Solid. It also comes with a 4.8 inch color digital dashboard that keeps essential ride information in view. O is for On-the-Go Price and looks can only carry a motorc ycle so far. For students running between campuses and young professionals squeezing errands between shifts, the third ask, the one that matters most at 7 PM with two stops still to go, is range. The Evo is built for that kind of day. Running on two fully charged batteries, the Evo comes up to 150

km at a top speed of 80 km/h enough for a full day out. Charging anxiety is one of the more common hesitations around electric motorcycles, and VinFast addresses it directly. Battery subscribers can swap a depleted battery for a fully charged one in about a minute at any V-Green batteryswapping station. For home charging, a single battery takes about 4.5 hours to fully charge, and two batteries around 9 hours. Skip the gas station detour on the way home, plug in overnight, and wake up to a full charge, much like a phone. Riders can also monitor vehicle and battery status through the VinFast

E-Scooter app, which also helps locate the nearest V-Green swapping station or VinFast showroom. Designed for the New Generation E-V-O isn’t just a name that sticks. It maps directly to what VinFast built the motorcycle around; easy on the wallet, vibe-ready, and on-the-go capable or put plainly, value, personality, and flexibility for riders who need all three. VinFast E-Motorcycle Philippines continues to expand its presence across the country, making it easier for more riders to experience the Evo firsthand. For young Filipinos ready to make the switch, the opportunity is closer than ever.

G4 SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2026 rumallari@thestandard.com.ph rieramallari@yahoo.com

Tech & Mobility Trends / On the Road 10th Anniversary

From fragmented...

From G1

Manila with Calamba in Laguna. The Metro Manila Subway (33km), meanwhile, is being developed as the country’s first underground railway and will provide another major north-south transport corridor through the capital. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) describes the project as part of an effort to strengthen the connection between Metro Manila’s urban core and surrounding areas while encouraging a shift toward public transportation. The government accelerated funding for both projects in 2026. In March, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) announced the release of P44.17 billion to support the Metro Manila Subway and NSCR. The emerging network is intended to connect with other railways and modes, potentially allowing commuters from outside Metro Manila to reach different parts of the capital without relying on private cars or a series of disconnected road journeys. The proposed MRT-4 is another piece of that emerging network. According to ADB, it is intended to connect with MRT-3 and the Metro Manila Subway, while incorporating bus and jeepney feeder services.

The missing piece: The first and last mile Even an extensive railway system cannot solve the transportation problem if commuters struggle to reach the station. This is one of the reasons jeepneys, buses, UV Express vehicles, tricycles, bicycles, and walking remain important. The government’s Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP) includes route rationalization and support for Local Public Transport Route Plans (LPTRP), alongside assistance for modernizing public utility vehicles. The 2025 national budget, for example, allocated P1.6 billion for components of the modernization program, including vehicle modernization, route planning, local government capacity building, and support programs for affected transport workers. Modernization, therefore, is not simply about replacing old vehicles with newer ones. Ideally, the routes must complement the larger transport network. A modern bus traveling along a poorly planned route can still produce an inefficient system. Conversely, a well-designed feeder route can make a major railway significantly more useful.

Tech & Mobility Trends / On the Road 10th Anniversary Riera U. Mallari Tech & Mobility Trends Editor Edgard Hilario Motoring Editor Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher Joyce Panares Managing Editor Paula Reynoso Head-Supplements Baldwin Felipe Advertising Sales Head

Peter Paul Duran Patricia Taculao Deligero Marielle Reyes Jessica Luna Earl Maghirang Minnie Manahan Lionell Go Macahilig Writers April Salazar Mercedita Pascual Shirley Umali Charies Villacarlos Edwin Rollon Advertising Sales Team Sheila Suarez Joan Velasco Advertising Support Group

Feliciano Buscas Jr. MIS Head Guiller Alanguilan Karen Patac Nathaniel Macaranas Online Support Team Lea Basbas MC Macaranas Digital Support Team Maria Victoria R. Ayeng Layout Artist Randy Lumacang KPPI Support Group

HONOR 600 Series Success Continues with the All-New HONOR 600S, Coming October 1

HONOR’s latest smartphone brings AI-powered features, 5G connectivity, and long-lasting battery life to more users. FOLLOWING the success of the HONOR 600 Series, global AI devices provider HONOR Philippines has officially confirmed the arrival of the HONOR 600S, coming to the Philippines on October 1, 2026. As a more accessible addition to the HONOR 600 Series, the HONOR 600S is designed to bring the experiences that users value from the series to a wider audience. Built for young professionals, creators, and digital-savvy users, it combines entertainment, content creation, work, business, and connectivity in a smartphone made for everyday life. The HONOR 600S is set to bring more of the HONOR 600 Series experience to

a wider audience, with a combination of entertainment, creativity, connectivity, and everyday performance. Among its highlights is HONOR AI Image to Video 2.0, giving users a glimpse of the creative experiences they can expect from the new device. It also comes with 5G connectivity, allowing users to stay connected and enjoy their digital experiences wherever the day takes them. It is built to keep up with users who are always on the go, featuring a massive 8,100mAh battery designed to provide the power needed for long days of streaming, scrolling, creating, and getting things done.

“Following the strong response to the HONOR 600 Series, we wanted to continue giving our consumers more of the experiences they value while making them accessible to even more users,” said Stephen Cheng, Vice President of HONOR Philippines. “The HONOR 600S carries forward the AI-powered creativity and connectivity that our consumers enjoy, while offering an option that fits the needs of a wider audience. We’re excited to officially introduce it to the Philippines this October.” The HONOR 600S officially launches in the Philippines on October 1, 2026. More details, including pricing, availability, and

other launch offers, will be revealed soon. Watch the live launch here: https://bit.ly/ H600S_GrandLaunch_PR. For more information about HONOR Philippines, you may visit: https://www. honor.com/ph/. To stay updated on launch announcements, product information, and exclusive offers, follow HONOR Philippines’ social media platforms on Facebook ( Fa ce b o o k . co m / H o n o r Ph i l i p p i n e s ) , Instagram (Instagram.com/honorph/) and TikTok: (Tiktok.com/@honorphilippines) for exclusive launch updates, product information, and more. #HONOR600S #AnythingIsPossible #HONORPhilippines #HONOR600Series

Tech & Mobility Trends On the Road 10th Anniversary

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RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor EDGARD HILARIO, Asst. Editor

At UN, tech chiefs urge caution in AI development

NITED NATIONS —Leaders of major AI firms told the UN Security Council on Wednesday that the technology calls for heightened vigilance, with Anthropic’s CEO pledging to slow down where needed to ensure the safety of new releases.

“This moment calls for extreme care,” OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said in New York at an emergency meeting of the 15-member council. He warned that as AI systems become more capable and autonomous, they could move faster than institutions or concentrate power into too few hands. Altman was among industry leaders briefing the council following weeks of global headlines about the risks of uncontrollable artificial intelligence and calls for a slowdown, which have been resisted by US President Donald Trump. “The industry must not accept too much technological risk just because the benefits are too great and important to slow down,” Altman told the United Nations’ top body. He also urged governments to work with each other and the industry on decisions shaping the technology’s future. “In our history, there have been times where countries who compete and don’t always like each other very much still come together for shared interests and the collective good in the face of a powerful new technology,” he said. “We believe this must be one of those times,” he added. Slowing down Speaking after Altman, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei said his company understands that as AI models become more powerful, “even more stringent standards of safety will be required.” He said Anthropic aims to improve its ability to prevent misuse of the technology. “We will slow down as much as necessary in order to make sure that every successive

Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei (left) and Hugging Face CEO Clement Delangue appear by video during a UN Security Council meeting on artificial intelligence during the 81st United Nations General Assembly at UN headquarters in New York. AFP

AI technology that we release is actually safe,” Amodei said in a video feed. “If managed poorly, I even believe that AI could be a risk to humanity as a whole,” Amodei added. Other speakers included Clement Delangue of Hugging Face, which was the target of a recent cyberattack by autonomous OpenAI software. This marked the first in a series of incidents that have raised alarm bells over the rapidly evolving technology. In early September, Jacob Coxon, a researcher who worked at both OpenAI and Anthropic, decided to leave the industry and accused both companies of “gambling with our lives” in the race to develop AI models capable of self-improvement. ‘Middle path’ The executives’ remarks come shortly before Trump is due to welcome Chinese leader Xi Jinping, hosting him for a summit where AI will

be on the agenda. On Wednesday, Altman said his company would try to walk a “middle path.” “We don’t want to fall into the trap of blind optimism,” but he cautioned against falling into “doomerism” too. Yoshua Bengio, the Canadian computer scientist considered one of the founders of AI, told the Security Council that “more and more people are rightly worried about recent advances.” “ We must channel that concern into productive action,” he said. Delangue of Hugging Face noted that while his company was targeted by AI, it also used the technology to fend off the attacks.“The world needs open-source AI more than ever to defend itself.” Altman, Amodei and several other leading AI executives have been calling for global oversight of the technology. OpenAI has urged the United States to lead

a global effort on establishing standards for AI, noting that its industry is at the technical frontier. Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Tuesday that Britain would launch an effort to set up global AI standards during its 2027 G20 presidency. France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot similarly urged joint action within the UN framework and with companies to set rules for a new era. But diplomatic efforts could clash with the US position. Michael Kratsios, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, said rapid advancement is not a reason to pause AI’s development or constrain it with new governance structures. Trump on Tuesday rejected international regulation of AI, calling such proposals a “globalist scheme.”

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2026 rumallari@thestandard.com.ph rieramallari@yahoo.com

Tech & Mobility Trends / On the Road 10th Anniversary

PH consumers trust brands deeply but AI amnesia could put that at risk Unregulated AI could be ‘devastating’

WILIO (NYSE: TWLO), the infrastructure for customer engagement in the AI era, today released new local data from its 2026 Customer Insights Series. The research revealed that AI agents now handle nearly half (46%) of all customer service conversations in the Philippines, with business leaders projecting that figure to reach 61% by 2027. However, as adoption accelerates, consumers are becoming increasingly frustrated with AI amnesia - the phenomenon where AI forgets prior context or interaction history, forcing users to repeatedly explain themselves. When asked to choose, 46% of Filipino consumers say an AI that responds

quickly but lacks personal context is more frustrating than a slow AI that holds full interaction history (16%), underscoring that speed alone is not the fix. AI amnesia in customer experience A I a m n e s i a p re s e n t s a grow i n g vulnerability for brands operating in a high-trust market — over eight in 10 Filipino consumers (81%) trust brands to use their personal data responsibly and with their best interests in mind. Brands, for their part, report higher confidence in how well their AI remembers their customers, with 74% saying their AI agents recognize a returning customer and access their history. However, 73% of consumers report having to repeat information during automated interactions, an experience that creates frustration and tests their patience with the brand. Consequently, when context is missing, nearly three in four local consumers (73%) stop using an AI agent midinteraction. While most escalate to a human representative or abandon the inquiry entirely, 4% end their relationship with the brand altogether.

A high-trust market that increasingly welcomes AI Despite these hurdles, consumer appetite for AI remains strong. Nearly eight in 10 Filipino consumers (79%) agree that customer service AI botshaveimprovedoverthepastyear,ajudgment backed by firsthand experience, with 81% having alreadyinteractedwithanAIservicetool,according to Twilio’s 2026 Digital Patience study. That familiarity is increasingly translating into a willingness to allow AI to handle routine, everyday tasks, such as scheduling an appointment (89%), making dinner reservations or processing returns (87%), and selecting concert seats (85%). However, consumer willingness to delegate drops sharply when transactions involve financial, health, or privacy risks. Trust narrows significantly when AI is asked to process payments (61%), initiate loan applications (58%) or handle medical inquiries (54%). Bridging this trust gap is vital as businesses plan to expand AI’s role in customer service. While 94% of Philippine organizations increased their digital customer engagement budgets over the past year and 80% maintain

Get the Best of Both with Maya Credit Cards: Cashback and Miles, One Shared Limit

FOR cardholders who already enjoy earning cashback on everyday spending, getting another credit card shouldn’t mean giving up the rewards they already love. With Maya Credit Cards, you don’t have to stick to just one. Eligible Maya cardholders can now enjoy both the Landers Cashback Everywhere Credit Card and the Maya Black Credit Card under one total credit limit. With a shared limit across both cards, cardholders can choose which one to use depending on the rewards they want to earn—whether that’s cashback they can use toward free groceries at Landers, or Maya Miles they can redeem for travel and lifestyle rewards. Two Maya Credit Cards, one shared credit limit Having a shared limit means your available credit is shared across both cards. Instead of having a separate credit limit for each one, you have one total credit limit that you can use whichever card you choose. Purchases made on either card are deducted from the same total available credit. So having a second card doesn’t mean having another credit limit. It simply gives you more choice in how you use the credit already available to you, and how you want your spending to reward you. Earn Cashback and Maya Miles That choice comes down to what you want to get out of your spending. With the Landers Cashback Everywhere Credit Card, you can earn 5% cashback at Landers Superstore, 2% cashback on dining, and 1% cashback on most other transactions. Your accumulated cashback can then be used toward purchases at Landers, turning the rewards you earn into free groceries. Meanwhile, the Maya Black Credit Card lets you earn up to 10x Maya Miles at Maya Black Preferred Merchants. Maya Miles can be redeemed for travel and lifestyle rewards, giving your everyday spending something different to work toward.

Both cards can reward the spending you already do, just in different ways. Depending on what matters to you, you can choose to earn toward your next grocery run or build up Maya Miles for the travel and lifestyle rewards you want to enjoy. Manage both credit cards in one place Having more than one credit card doesn’t have to mean making your finances harder to manage. Cardholders can manage their Maya Credit Cards in the Maya app, where they can track spending per card and see how much of their shared credit limit is still available. Each card also has its own Statement of Account, so cardholders can clearly see their transactions and amount due for each card, making it easier to stay on top of spending and payments. This way, you get the flexibility of having multiple cards while still having a clear view of how much credit you have available and where your spending is going. More choice, without the extra complexity What you want from your credit card rewards can change along with your priorities. You might want to turn the cashback you earn into free groceries at Landers, or earn Maya Miles you can redeem for travel and lifestyle rewards. With a shared limit across Maya Credit Cards, eligible cardholders can choose the rewards that matter to them—giving them the best of both, all within one total credit limit. To know more, visit maya.ph or mayabank.ph, and follow @makeyourmoneymaya on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok to stay updated. Maya Philippines, Inc. and Maya Bank, Inc. are regulated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. www. bsp.gov.ph. For 24/7 assistance, visit the Help Center in the Maya app or call us from 8 AM to 7 PM daily at +632 8845-7788.

Turn to H4

MADRID—Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Monday joined a chorus of calls to regulate AI as safety fears around the technology escalate, warning of potentially “devastating” consequences. The debate over the risks from artificial intelligence has intensified this month, with many of the industry’s leading lights voicing support for more cooperation, regulation and slower development of the technology. Former employees of major AI companies have resigned warning of the technology’s risks, even pointing to an existential threat to humanity. “If artificial intelligence is concentrated among a few companies and a handful of countries, its impact on shared prosperity, and therefore on the idea of democracy, will be very negative, if not devastating,” Sanchez told an AIfocused event in Madrid. “ We must act urgently, because unregulated, opaque artificial intelligence running wild... and in very few hands is the perfect recipe for disaster,” added the Socialist leader. US President Donald Trump -- with whom Sanchez has repeatedly clashed -- has dismissed fears that AI could wipe out humanity and rejected calls to put greater controls around the fast-moving technology. Sanchez, an outspoken critic of the power of big tech companies and their bosses, on Monday renewed his criticism of “techno-oligarchs” and urged international coordination on AI. “Self-regulation does not work”, said Sanchez, calling for an AI “focused on well-being and collective prosperity that enables the building of fairer societies”. He presented a 12-month plan aiming for “a new social contract for artificial intelligence” in Spain in cooperation with civil society. This agreement would have to offer “security to people in the face of the changes in work and in life that this technology will entail”, he said. In February, Sanchez announced a plan to ban social media for under-16s, sparking a spat with X owner Elon Musk and Telegram founder Pavel Durov. His government has also asked the Spanish prosecutors to investigate X, Meta and TikTok for possible offences related to AI-generated child pornography. AFP

Fastly extends real-time edge control to AI FASTLY, Inc. (NASDAQ: FSLY), a leader in global edge cloud platforms, today announced AI Runtime Control, AI Firewall, and new API Security capabilities designed to give organizations real-time visibility and control across their AI systems. Expanding the Fastly for AI portfolio, these new capabilities help organizations govern AI model access and usage, protect the AI applications powering their business, and control how AI agents access enterprise APIs, all on the same unified Fastly platform already delivering the speed, security, and resiliency businesses depend on at global scale. A s e n t e r p r i s e A I s h i f t s f ro m experimentation to business-critical production, the focus turns to leveraging AI safely at scale. Organizations now need real-time control over model routing, spend, agent authorization, response optimization, and service reliability as traffic expands. Fastly is seeing that shift directly. Across Fastly’s network, machine-generated traffic crossed 50% in July and August this year, while AI traffic grew 6.5 times faster than human traffic from January through May this year. Also, financial pressure is rising alongside this growth, with McKinsey finding that 93% of organizations are exceeding their AI budgets. Fastly extends its programmable edge platform to AI, giving organizations greater power and control to run at AI scale. Through the Fastly platform, consistent access, security, and routing policies can now be applied in the request path across vendors or model providers, so organizations can observe, route, secure, and govern AI activity as it happens, without giving up their choice of models or infrastructure. “To effectively adopt coding agents and implement AI features without losing velocity or eroding existing business resilience, enterprises need control in production, at runtime, without delay, friction, or disruption,” said Kelly Shortridge, Chief Product Officer at Fastly. “Fastly is extending the real-time control customers already trust for content delivery and software security to the models, applications, and agents shaping this new era of distributed systems. Organizations deserve the freedom to move fast with AI while staying safe, achieving innovation at scale without trading off resilience.” AI creates three critical paths that

Kelly Shortridge, Chief Product Officer at Fastly

organizations can govern, protect, and control: applications calling models, users and systems interacting with AI applications, and agents calling enterprise APIs. At the same time, AI-assisted development is creating new endpoints faster than they can be documented or reviewed. Today’s launch extends Fastly’s capabilities to address each of these: AI Runtime Control (governing AI access and usage): Routes model calls through a single endpoint across public and selfhosted providers, while virtual keys help protect underlying provider credentials. With real-time visibility into token spend, rate limiting, budget controls, and failover, organizations maintain model choice while enforcing policy centrally. AI Firewall (protecting AI applications): Mitigates LLM-based attacks, including prompt injection, delivering instant protection at the edge. By evaluating prompts directly in the request path, organizations can identify and block malicious activity before it reaches targeted models. API Security (controlling agents accessing enterprise APIs): Enforces API contracts, applying consistent rules to agentic, agent-assisted, and conventional traffic. Organizations can observe or block non-conforming requests service by service, helping prevent agents from accessing unsupported operations, sending malformed requests, or acting outside established API boundaries.

Tech & Mobility Trends / On the Road 10th Anniversary

By Steven Fong, Corporate Vice President, APJ Embedded Business

RTIFICIAL intelligence is entering a new phase—one that extends beyond digital productivity into the physical world.

For the past several years, AI has largely been defined by systems that understand, generate, and recommend information. Large language models (LLMs), AI assistants, and copilots have fundamentally changed knowledge work by helping people search, summarize, create content, and improve decisions. This first wave of AI has transformed digital productivity. The next wave will be fundamentally different. Rather than simply understanding information, AI is increasingly expected to interact with the physical world. Robots will work alongside people on factory floors. Autonomous vehicles will continuously perceive and respond to their surroundings. Medical systems will assist clinicians with real-time diagnosis and decisionmaking. Intelligent infrastructure will monitor, optimize, and respond without constant human intervention. This transition represents far more than another AI application. It marks a fundamental shift in what AI is expected to do. As AI moves from the cloud and digital environments into physical systems, intelligence must no longer simply know. Physical AI systems like autonomous robots must also sense, decide, and ultimately act in real-time, with functional safety and while operating within strict power, thermal and space constraints. The

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2026 rumallari@thestandard.com.ph rieramallari@yahoo.com

AI moving from ‘Know’ to ‘Do’

Virtual Asset

need for this transition is being driven not only by advances in AI technology, but also by structural changes across the global economy. This is precisely where physical AI begins. Physical AI is already reshaping industries, and AMD b e l i e ve s t h i s i s t h e d e f i n i n g transition of the next decade of AI. It is the transition from systems that know to systems that do. “Doing” Fundamentally Changes The Compute Problem Once AI begins interacting with the physical world, the compute problem fundamentally changes. Unlike cloud AI, which has traditionally been optimized for scale, throughput, and centralized processing, physical AI introduces a fundamentally different set of requirements. A chatbot can tolerate occasional latency. However, a robot operating on

a factory floor cannot. An autonomous vehicle cannot afford inconsistent system behavior. A medical device cannot simply retry a decision when timing is critical. These systems must deliver: Real-time responsiveness Deterministic behavior Functional safety and reliability Operation under power and thermal constraints Resilience when connectivity is limited or unavailable In the physical world, intelligence only matters if systems can act within bounded time constraints. Success is no longer determined solely by AI model performance. Physical AI extends beyond running AI models. Instead, intelligence must flow seamlessly from sensing and perception through inference, planning, control, and ultimately

physical action. The conversation is no longer just about building smarter AI models. It is about building intelligent systems that can safely and reliably act in the real world. This is why AMD believes physical AI is fundamentally a systems engineering challenge, not simply an AI model challenge. No Single Processor Can Power Physical AI Understanding physical AI becomes much easier when we compare it with the human body. The human brain per forms reasoning and decision-making. Our nervous system enables rapid responses. Our muscles and joints execute precise physical actions. Physical AI systems operate in much the same way. Complex reasoning and perception require high-performance compute. Realtime responses require low-latency processing close to where decisions a re m a d e. Pre c i s e m ove m e nt requires accurate and deterministic control. No single processor architecture can efficiently perform all of these functions. Instead, different types of compute must work together. High-performance CPUs and GPUs provide the “brain,” responsible for complex reasoning, perception, and AI workloads. Adaptive SoCs and NPUs function like the nervous system, enabling low-latency, powerefficient processing close to where decisions must be made. FPGAs support precise control of sensors and actuators, allowing intelligent machines to safely and accurately interact with the physical world. This is why physical AI requires heterogeneous computing. Rather than relying on a single compute engine, physical AI systems can combine CPUs, GPUs, NPUs, adaptive compute, and FPGAs, with each optimized for

Rise of digital storytelling: How Filipino creators shape next wave of entertainment thru Webtoons YOU’VE probably seen them on your feed: short reels, videos, and serialized stories that can capture your attention in less than a minute. For a generation accustomed to consuming content through their phones, storytelling is no longer confined to books, television, or the big screen. Stories now unfold through scrolling screens, bite-sized videos, digital comics, and interactive platforms. This shift has given rise to a new generation of digital-first storytellers and in the Philippines, platforms such as Wattpad and Webtoon are giving young Filipino creators new ways to share their work with audiences. Wattpad helped popularize online, text-based storytelling, while platforms such as Webtoon brought comics into a mobile-first format designed for digital reading.Together with streaming platforms such as Netflix and the growing ecosystem of social media, these platforms reflect a broader change in how audiences discover, consume, and engage with stories. For aspiring creators, the change is

significant. Digital publishing lowers some of the traditional barriers to entry, allowing writers and artists to publish their work online, build audiences, and develop creative careers around stories they create themselves. One young Filipino creator finding her place in this evolving landscape is Veya Sebastian, known as FriedStrawberry on Webtoon. Sebastian began drawing at a very young age and developed an interest in Webtoons when she was around 12. Today, at 21, she is building her identity as both a writer and illustrator, creating her own stories and bringing them to life visually through her Webtoon series, Head Over Heels. What makes Sebastian’s journey particularly reflective of the current digital storytelling landscape is that she does not simply illustrate someone else’s story. She develops the story, writes the characters, and creates the artwork herself. From reader to creator For many young people, digital platforms are more than places to

Veya Sebastian

consume entertainment. They can also serve as entry points into becoming creators themselves. Sebastian’s journey illustrates this transition. Her early exposure to drawing eventually developed into an interest in

storytelling, while her discovery ofWebtoons openedupamediumwherehertwointerests could exist together. Her influences include Sailor Moon and the works of Ai Yazawa, particularly Nana and Paradise Kiss. These influences

a different role across the complete sensor-to-action pipeline. The Physical AI Era Plays To AMD’s Strengths The emergence of Physical AI is not changing AMD’s technology strategy. It is validating a strategy the company has been building for decades. Physical AI requires heterogeneous computing, and AMD delivers the industry’s broadest compute portfolios, spanning CPUs, GPUs, NPUs, Adaptive SoCs, and FPGAs, to proviode the right compute for the right workload. Rather than optimizing a single stage of AI processing, these technologies work together to support the complete physical AI pipeline—from perception and reasoning to real-time control and physical action. Equally important is AMD’s long heritage in embedded computing. For decades, AMD technologies have powered systems across automotive, industrial automation, telecommunications, healthcare, aerospace, and other embedded markets where deterministic operation, long product lifecycles, functional safety, harsh operating environments, and customer co-development have always been essential. These are precisely the same characteristics now becoming critical as physical AI moves from research into real-world deployment. But physical AI requires more than silicon alone. Building intelligent physical systems demands AI models, robotics software, middleware, sensors, simulation, validation, and production-ready platforms working together. That is why AMD is extending its long-standing open ecosystem strategy through initiatives such as the AMD Robotics Partner Network and AMD Kria AI Solutions, helping customers move more quickly from prototype to production.

reflect an interest in expressive visuals and character-driven storytelling, elements that are central to the Webtoon format. The accessibility of digital publishing also means creators can experiment, find their audience, and develop their craft without necessarily waiting for traditional publishing opportunities. For a young creator like Sebastian, Webtoon becomes not only a platform for publishing but also a space to establish an identity and community around her work. Why Webtoons fit the digital generation The serialized nature of Webtoons allows readers to develop an ongoing relationship with characters and stories. Readers can return for updates, discuss episodes, share theories, and interact with other fans online. In this environment, the audience is not simply consuming a finished product—they are following a story as it develops. For creators, this creates an opportunity to build a dedicated readership around an original story. Sebastian currently produces Head Over Heels at a pace of around three episodes per month. Her workflow encompasses nearly every stage of production: writing summaries and scripts, storyboarding, line art, coloring, backgrounds, special effects, and speech bubbles.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2026 rumallari@thestandard.com.ph rieramallari@yahoo.com

Tech & Mobility Trends / On the Road 10th Anniversary

RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor EDGARD HILARIO, Asst. Editor

Meta launches camera-free AI glasses amid privacy pushback

ENLO PARK—Meta unveiled several new wearables powered by its AI models on Wednesday, including an audio-only, camera-free version of its smart glasses, amid global concerns about privacy and the filming of women and girls without their consent. CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced the new lineup of glasses at the social media giant’s annual Connect conference at its Menlo Park headquarters, where he also touted the company’s new personal artificial intelligence assistant, Muse. “There are almost 2 billion people in the world who wear glasses today... and we think that in the coming years, most of these are going to get upgraded to AI glasses,” Zuckerberg told the audience of developers and executives. Muse will be “the centerpiece of our vision,” Zuckerberg said. The audio-only glasses will ship on October 13 and start at $349. They arrive amid growing questions worldwide about privacy violations from tiny cameras on glasses and other wearables, which critics have dubbed “pervert” glasses. Smart glasses let wearers take photos, film videos, listen to music, make phone calls, translate text or interact with an AI assistant. The audio-only versions will complement the release of dozens of new smart glasses models that keep the photo and video filming option. Building in privacy features such as a recording indicator light is “really important,” Meta’s vice president of AI product, Vishal Shah, told AFP on Wednesday. “We wanted people to clearly understand that this was something that was recording, and we’ve only

made that light more explicit over time,” Shah said. “We said a lot about that when the glasses first launched, and I think we probably need to keep repeating that more than we have been more recently because none of that’s changed,” he added. With nearly four billion monthly active users across its ecosystem, Meta is betting that wearables like smart glasses can become an easy entry point for people to use its AI software. Meta launched its first smart glasses in 2021, and last year unveiled “display” glasses that project images onto the lens. Earlier this year, the company released its own Meta-branded AI glasses, separate from its partnership with eyewear maker EssilorLuxottica, which produces several Ray-Ban and Oakley Meta models. Meta also announced several new styles of its flagship Meta Ray-Ban glasses. The display version, priced from $799, will soon be available in new markets including Britain, France, Italy, Germany and Canada. The company will also soon launch mixed reality glasses that are much lighter than its earlier Quest VR headsets. Called Meta VR Glasses, they are powered by an external battery and memory pack tethered by a cord, allowing the headset itself to be lighter. Zuckerberg said the glasses weigh about as much as a deck of cards.

AI glasses are displayed during the opening of the 2026 IFA international trade show for consumer electronics and home appliances in Berlin. AFP

They have no external controls, relying instead on hand gestures and voice commands. The VR Glasses will launch in spring 2027 for $1,299. Meta Muse Meta has spent billions of dollars to stay competitive in AI but faces pushback on multiple fronts. The glasses are designed to work with Muse, the company’s first agentic app for consumers. It performs tasks on users’ behalf like a digital personal assistant. After connecting personal accounts -for finance, health and shopping -- users can ask Muse to sign up for services, book appointments and make calls. The Muse app became the top free app in the Google Play Store and Apple App Store, overtaking OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Anthropic’s Claude and Google’s Gemini. Zuckerberg teased another product on Wednesday, the Muse Charm, that will ship ahead of the holidays this year; Meta did not provide a price.

The “charm” is a small, puck-like device with a display that will allow users to interact with their Muse agent separately from a smartphone. Amazon this week blocked Meta from using AI bots to shop automatically for users, while Instacart, Shopify and Expedia have announced partnerships to integrate their services into Muse. Meta said Walmart, Best Buy, Gap and Sephora are also partnering with the app. Meta, which earns most of its revenue from ads on Instagram and Facebook, faces mounting child safety and privacy challenges worldwide. In August, it settled a lawsuit brought by US states accusing it of violating consumer protection and children’s online privacy laws, agreeing to pay up to $18 billion and impose restrictions for teenagers. The company also faces age-based restrictions and bans abroad, as well as thousands of potential personal injury suits in the US. AFP

PH...

From H2

an optimistic outlook on AI investments, capital expenditure alone cannot buy consumer confidence. Brands will need to meet consumer demand for contextual continuity, transparency, and effective issue resolution. Transparency as a clear and consistent expectation Speed alone has never been a sole metric in the Philippine market. Even as 61% of consumers acknowledge that AI saves them time, transparency is the clearer, more urgent requirement for Filipino consumers when interacting with AI. Over seven in 10 (73%) consumers explicitly demand that brands disclose upfront that they are speaking with AI. Currently, only 26% of Philippine organizations disclose AI identity from the start of every interaction. Crucially, transparenc y also requires keeping human assistance within reach. The ability to seamlessly switch to a human representative ranks as the single most important factor for consumer comfort (29%), alongside a preference for human oversight on major decisions (26%). Brands in the Philippines have taken note, with a majority prioritizing human-assisted workflows over total automation. 80% of organizations have implemented or piloted humanin-the-loop systems where agents monitor or intervene in live AI chats, with 51% confirming this as standard operational practice. “ The Philippines has always been a remark ably high-trust market and increasingly, that trust is extending to AI agents. While eliminating hold times has been a real win for customers requiring speed, fast responses cannot sustain customer loyalty if AI agents—now handling almost half of customer conversations—exhibit amnesia,” said Nicholas Kontopoulos, Vice President of Marketing, Asia Pacific & Japan. “Filipino consumers have trusted brands with their data long before AI agents entered the loop. As brands deploy AI to take on more conversations, it needs to carry the same qualities consumers already trust brands for, such as warmth, empathy, memory, and the ability to delight. Brands need to ensure AI deepens that trust, not spend it down.”

Tech elite’s new school aims to replace university SAN FRANCISCO—The most powerful venture capital firm in Silicon Valley is starting a two-year private school for young people intended to replace college, as some US tech elite question the benefits of a classical university education. The Horowitz Andreessen Academy, or HAA, is backed by veteran investors Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz, two towering figures of the US tech industry and founders of venture capital giant Andreessen Horowitz. The announcement said students would hear lectures from tech leaders including Nvidia chief Jensen Huang, Microsoft chief Satya Nadella, Uber founder Travis Kalanick and former OpenAI executive Mira Murati. It framed San Francisco itself as central to the project, describing the city as unusually open to newcomers and a hub for innovation. “We think this can be an elite institution that attracts top-tier talent -- one that prepares students for the future rather than remaining stuck in the past,” the academy’s CEO, Gagan Biyani, said on X. The venture has raised $42 million from investors, including Shopify chief executive Tobi Lutke, DoorDash chief executive Tony Xu, and former Instacart chief and OpenAI executive Fidji Simo. “We live in an age of infinite knowledge, and we are entering an age of infinite doing,” the academy said in its launch announcement. Biyani said the program would replace lecture-heavy coursework with independent, business-oriented projects, describing the model as closer to Oxford’s tutorial system or the Montessori method than a conventional university. Some of the tech industry’s most celebrated founders never finished college -- Microsoft’s Bill Gates and Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg both left Harvard, while Apple’s Steve Jobs dropped out of Reed College. This history is often invoked in Silicon Valley to argue that a degree is not a prerequisite for building a major company, and that young entrepreneurs should not waste time in the classroom. The academy joins a growing list of venture-backed efforts to position elite young talent outside traditional four-year degree programs, often on the grounds that US campuses are too liberal or anti-business. The Thiel Fellowship, founded by right-wing billionaire investor Peter Thiel in 2011, pays selected young people to skip or leave college and build companies instead. Its current fellows receive $250,000 over two years. Anthropic, Coinbase, Meta, Nvidia, OpenAI, Palantir, Replit and Stripe are among more than 30 companies Biyani described as partners. They will offer students work experience, advice and computing credits in exchange for early access to talent. Applications are open for a tuition-free pilot year of 50 students starting in September 2027. This will precede the eventual two-year, paid version of the program, which Biyani said would be similar in cost to an elite private university. Annual tuition at Stanford University, in the heart of Silicon Valley, stands at $67,731 for the 2026-27 academic year, not including room and board. AFP