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October 2025

Lifestyle, Tech

Globe Champions Use Pettr and PAWS to Take Care of Pets

Nowadays, a lot of Filipino houses and families have pets, and their welfare has grown equally significant. Through its cooperation with Pettr, the nation’s first all-in-one digital pet care platform, Globe hopes to make pet care necessities affordable for all Filipino pet parents. Globe is merging daily connectivity with pet wellness. Pet-parents may obtain the services they require by using its Go+99 offerings, which give users a ₱100 discount voucher for teleconsultations with registered veterinarians and other essential services.

The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), a non-profit, volunteer-based organization committed to sheltering rescued animals, preventing animal cruelty, and promoting the humane treatment of animals, is partnering with Globe to launch a number of pet-care initiatives. The first will be employee engagement programs like volunteer activities, donation drives, and awareness campaigns to support PAWS’ advocacies. Globe recognizes the opportunity to authentically demonstrate its commitment to animal care and welfare.

The initiative kicked off with Volunteer Day last September 25, 2025, at the PAWS Shelter in Katipunan, Quezon City, where up to 50 Globe employees donated pet-care amenities and spent the day feeding, cleaning, and reading to the shelter’s cats and dogs. This hands-on experience reflects Globe’s belief that care begins within, living out the same values of compassion and community that the company advocates externally.

“This initiative is about showing our people and our partners that care is not just a campaign – it’s a culture,” said Roche Vandenberghe, Chief Marketing Officer at Globe. “We try to uplift Filipino lives everyday at Globe and with pets as part of people’s found families, we’re extending that culture of care into everyday life, making sure that even our customers’ companions receive the attention and support they deserve.”

With these efforts, Globe continues to evolve as more than a connectivity provider, fostering a culture of care within its own community.  By celebrating pets as part of Filipino homes, Globe affirms that compassion lives in everyday bonds that truly matter.

Please visit https://www.globe.com.ph/ to find out more.

 

Lifestyle, News

To encourage the adoption of digital payments by Philippine SMEs, HitPay and Ingenico have launched a “all-in-one” system

  • The integrated Ingenico smart terminal and BSP-regulated HitPay platform empower Filipino merchants to accept all major transaction types, including GCash and Maya, via one device, simplifying compliance and reconciliation.
  • HitPay and Ingenico aim to onboard 10,000 Filipino SMEs over the next 2 years across high-growth sectors like Retail, F&B, and Tourism, signaling a major investment in the nation’s digital economy.

Hitpay Ingenico

A new all-in-one payments system introduced by BSP-regulated HitPay and world payment acceptance leader Ingenico is expected to provide Filipino SMEs with easier operations and quicker access to cash flow. The partnership gives local businesses the ability to easily accept credit cards and well-known e-wallets, among other major payment methods.

In order to assist merchants in accepting a variety of payment methods, including major credit/debit cards, QR-based payments such as GCash and Maya, and international cross-border payments, HitPay’s software platform is coupled with Ingenico’s smart terminal. This solution provides speedier access to cash flow and frequently settles payments faster than traditional models, which is beneficial for SMEs with limited margins.

Beyond access, the smart terminal also provides an affordable and simple way for SMEs to manage end-to-end operations from a single platform. These include unifying online and offline payment methods, issuing invoices, automating recurring billings, and accessing business insights to help inform key decisions.

The partnership also combines Ingenico’s global payments network, and HitPay’s extensive network made up of 25 regional payment partners, enabling SMEs to serve both domestic customers and tourists seamlessly.

Aditya Haripurkar, founder & CEO of HitPay

“As the Philippines accelerates its ‘cash-lite’ goal, SMEs need to provide choice, speed, and security at checkout without being overwhelmed by complex software, multiple reconciliation steps, and high integration costs.,” said Aditya Haripurkar, Co-Founder and CEO of Hitpay. “Our collaboration with Ingenico goes beyond terminals and transactions; it is about democratizing access to enterprise-grade tools, giving SMEs the confidence to play their full part in the Philippines’ digital future.” 

“Ingenico’s mission has always been to simplify payments for businesses of every size. By working with HitPay and leveraging a comprehensive network of payment and banking partners, we’re giving Filipino SMEs access to secure and innovative tools that allow them to grow and stay relevant in a fast-changing market.”said Xavier Michel, Head of Southeast Asia Channel Markets, Ingenico

Businesses in important sectors like retail, food & beverage, and travel, where the transition to digital payments has been noticeable, have already started to use the partnership. Within the next two years, the collaboration hopes to empower 10,000 SMEs in the Philippines.

Serving more than 20,000 small businesses in the Philippines, HitPay is a BSP-regulated payment network that guarantees adherence to regional financial law

Entertainment

The new single “World on Fire,” featuring Taylor Hill is released by KING + COUNTRY

The Christian pop duo’s new song ushers in a new era of passion and purpose

Photo by Jeremy Cowart

With 13 No. 1 hits, four Grammy Awards, and more than 3 billion career streams, for KING + COUNTRY has established itself as one of the most prestigious musical duos. Joel and Luke Smallbone, who recently signed to Curb Records, are embarking on a new chapter in their lives. They have a fresh sound, a fresh artistic vision, and the same drive to put on incredible live shows that have packed arenas all over the world.

“World on Fire (with Taylor Hill),” their most recent hit, is currently accessible around the country. The success of their Top 10 Billboard album, Dove Award, and Lionsgate feature film UNSUNG HERO is being built upon with this first taste of a daring new chapter.

“It’s been quite the year for all of us, hasn’t it!? For us, it’s been a time to re-create, be with family, pray, recalibrate, and let God breathe fresh vision into our hearts,” said Joel and Luke Smallbone. ‘Out of that refining has come a renewed clarity and passion. ‘World on Fire’ is an anthem of joy and hope set to a global rhythm — marking the start of a brand new era. We cannot wait to embark on this joyous journey with you.”

KING + COUNTRY have established themselves as one of the most influential duos in music, with 13 No. 1 hits, over 3 billion career streams, and over 6 million social media followers. The statement was made just before the brothers’ restricted “A Drummer Boy Christmas” performances, which will be their final live engagements of 2025, take place in December.

“World on Fire feat.” is what fans can anticipate. Taylor Hill” to officially mark the start of KING + COUNTRY’s next era and set the tone for a slew of new songs, images, and announcements in the months to come.

Watch the music video here.

Connect Online:

Website | Instagram | Facebook | X | YouTube

 

 

 

Lifestyle, News

The 2025 Award-Winning Link VIP Club Program Goes Above and Beyond for Customers

Eastern Communications named the Brand Experience of the Year and Customer Experience of the Year at the Asian Experience Awards 2025. [From L to R:] Eastern Communications Customer Experience Manager Francris Caspe, Brand Communications Manager Tricia Barrera, Chief Marketing and Experience Officer Jed Estanislao, Segment Marketing Manager Dindo Cabatingan, and Customer Experience Manager Maricris Santos-de Guzman.

Eastern Communications distinguishes itself in a time when price wars and automation rule the telecom market with a potent differentiator: human-touched, individualized service. Eastern’s distinctive strategy was recently acknowledged at the Asian Experience Awards 2025 in Singapore, where its Link VIP Club customer loyalty program and 2024 “Partners in Progress” brand campaign won awards for Customer Experience of the Year and Brand Experience of the Year, respectively.

Launched in 2018 to foster Eastern’s connections with its most valued B2B clients, the Link VIP Club has now expanded into a full-fledged experience delivering unique incentives, elevated service touchpoints, and access to premium lifestyle events targeted to the demands of modern organizations.

Elevated experiences through the Titanium Tier

Eastern Communications treats loyal partners to an exclusive movie premiere of The Fantastic Four: First Steps

Unveiled in April at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, the Titanium Tier launch was a celebration of partnership and progress. This newest Link VIP Club level offers premium benefits such as 24/7 priority care, managed connectivity solutions, exclusive event access, and curated learning sessions. Designed to deepen client relationships and elevate the customer experience, these perks align with Eastern Communications’ “High Tech, High Touch” philosophy.

“Customer-centric innovation is at the heart of everything we do,” said Jed Estanislao, Chief Marketing and Experience Officer at Eastern Communications. “Through the expanded Link VIP Club perks, we’re elevating the way we serve with smarter solutions, faster resolution time, and exclusive access to experiences to empower our clients for the future. Our goal is not just to meet expectations but to stay ahead of them and anticipate challenges before they’re even felt. Because at Eastern, every client journey deserves excellence.”

Eastern Communications holds first-ever golf tournament exclusively for Link VIP Club Members

Furthering its client-first approach, the telco provider hosted its first-ever golf tournament exclusively for Titanium members on July 17, 2025, in Laguna. This inaugural event brought together some of Eastern Communications’ most loyal clients for a day of friendly competition, networking, and shared celebration.

“Our company has been with Eastern Communications since 2015, and we really feel special. This event is more on engagement and relationship building, which I think is the key to being long-time partners,” said Yeng Molero, owner of APN Philippines Inc.

Recognized commitment to client engagement

Aside from the 2025 Asian Experience Awards, Eastern’s “high touch” service has garnered significant acknowledgment across various regional marketing platforms.

Eastern Communications earned recognition at the 2025 Carrier Community Global Awards in Berlin, winning the Best Sales and Marketing Team of the Year award, highlighting the strength and impact of its customer engagement initiatives. The telco also took home a bronze award for Excellence in B2B Marketing at the Marketing Excellence Awards Philippines.

Most importantly, Eastern Communications’ dedication to exceptional service is reflected in the feedback of its clients.

“As an Eastern client, I really enjoyed the after-sales and pre-sales services. Most businesses really need reliability and fast connection, and in case there are downtimes, the team has to be very approachable. It’s truly great that we are partnered with Eastern. I would really recommend Eastern based on our company’s overall experience, knowing that we can confidently stand by our recommendation,” said Shin Enriquez, Network Operation Section Head at Bank of Commerce.

Ross Garcia, Head of Public Relations at San Miguel Holdings, shared, “Eastern Communications is very proud of their service, [and] as they say, it is very personalized and exceeds every client’s expectations. They go the extra mile and they provide services that really can’t be matched by other competitors.”

This illustrates how Eastern sees its clients as long-term partners in success and reflects the company’s branding message of being Partners in Progress. Through custom events, priority support, milestone sharing, and fostering relationships beyond business, the telco keeps showcasing this value.

Visit www.eastern.com.ph or call 5300-7000 to find out more about Eastern Communications’ dedication to providing High Tech, High Touch service and the Link VIP Club Program.

 

Lifestyle

Haier and Automatic Centre Showcase Smarter Cooling Solutions at Market! Market!

From Left to Right: KOL – Ms. Valerie Tan; Haier Senior Marketing Manager – Ms. Angeli Patricio; Haier AC Product Manager – Mr. Wang Kangning; Haier Vice President – Mr. Xuhong Yan; Haier President & CEO – Mr. Sun Liangjun; Automatic Merchandising Head – Ms. Cheng Del Mundo; Automatic Centre Senior Marketing Manager – Ms. Pearl Perlada; Mr. Herrick Soneja – Automatic Centre District Manager; Haier Strategic Channel Sales Director – Mr. Eric Pabustan; and Haier Product Manager – Mr. John Torres

Shoppers at Market! Market! enjoyed a refreshing showcase as Haier Philippines, in partnership with Automatic Centre, introduced its latest line of air conditioners through a Mini Launch Event. The program gathered partners, guests, and media for a closer look at Haier’s newest cooling innovations designed for smarter living.

Haier Philippines and Automatic Centre teams together with event models during the Haier Air Conditioner Product Launch at Automatic Centre.

At the spotlight of the showcase was the Haier UV Cool AI Voice, a hands-free, voice-controlled air conditioner that allows homeowners to adjust comfort levels through simple voice commands—without Wi-Fi or external devices. It also features AI Eco technology for smart airflow management and UVC sterilization that helps keep indoor air fresh and safe.

Display of Haier’s latest air conditioner lineup featuring the UV Cool AI Voice series at Automatic Center.

Also introduced was the Haier Clean Cool Pro series, designed for families seeking reliable performance and easy maintenance. With its Self-Clean technology, the unit automatically reduces bacterial buildup in the evaporator, ensuring consistently clean air. Its Hyper PCB and anti-corrosion design help extend the unit’s lifespan, offering durable cooling solutions for Filipino households.

The event not only showed Haier’s new products but also emphasized the strength of its collaboration with Automatic Centre, the country’s oldest appliance store and a heritage brand trusted by generations. Known as a go-to destination for quality appliances, Automatic Centre has built its legacy on dependable products, after-sales service, and knowledgeable specialists who guide families in finding the right fit for their homes.

Automatic Centre continues to make appliance shopping more convenient with 0% installment plans, Shop Now Pay Later programs, exclusive bank offers, and partnerships with financing providers such as Home Credit, Skyro, and Salmon. With this customer-focused approach, the store remains a reliable partner for Filipino households—past, present, and future.

The Market! Market! mini launch served as an intimate preview, with Haier and Automatic Centre extending the experience through an in-store exhibit running from October to December 2025, giving mall-goers the opportunity to explore the new models firsthand.

Haier Philippines President and CEO Sun Liangjun during the Automatic Center Air Conditioner Product Launch held on October 3, 2025.

Together, Haier and Automatic Centre continue their shared mission of bringing smarter, cleaner, and longer-lasting cooling solutions to Filipino homes, backed by a tradition of trust and innovation.

Visit: https://www.haier.com/ph/air-conditioners/

 

Lifestyle, Sports

Haier Announces New Partnerships with Liverpool FC and Paris Saint-Germain

The partnerships aim to turn passion on the pitch and on the court into smarter, more connected living at home.

Haier, a home appliance brand, has announced new multi-year global partnerships with Liverpool FC and Paris Saint-Germain. The announcement was made at IFA Berlin, where Haier unveiled its new brand strategy. The agreements unite Haier with two of the most followed football clubs in the world.

These collaborations are part of Haier’s “Home of the Champions” initiative, which aims to align the brand with top-tier clubs and athletes. The partnerships are intended to inspire, connect, and create richer, smarter experiences for fans and consumers worldwide. Haier’s values of innovation, precision, and excellence are said to align with the spirit of both clubs, reinforcing a shared commitment to performance and global reach.

As part of the partnerships, Haier will engage with fans across stadium, digital, and retail touchpoints. The brand will also deliver exclusive fan experiences and explore the creation of co-branded smart home products designed to bring the energy of a matchday into daily life.

The partnership with Liverpool FC also revives a historic connection. Candy, a brand that is now part of Haier Europe, was the club’s main sponsor in the late 1980s and early 1990s, an era that remains one of the most iconic chapters in the club’s history.

Haier’s Expanded Sports Portfolio

In addition to the new football partnerships, Haier has renewed its strategic partnership with the ATP Tour through 2028. This renewal expands Haier’s role as an ATP Gold Partner, now covering both Home Entertainment & TV and Home Appliances categories. This extension will provide Haier with on-court brand visibility, premium hospitality experiences, and on-site product integration at select ATP Tour events. The brand will also benefit from exposure across the ATP’s digital channels, which reach an online audience of more than one billion.

Haier’s sports sponsorships also include LALIGA, Liga Portugal, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, Roland-Garros, and the Mutua Madrid Open. This broad and strategic connection with sports reflects a multisport identity. Haier’s partnerships are built on the belief that sport is a powerful platform to inspire, connect, and create shared value.

 

Automotive

The TGR Philippines eSports GT Championship Finals will feature the top 40 sim racers

Live national final rounds to be held October 11 and 12 at Ayala Malls Manila Bay 

The top 40 racers who will compete in the quarterfinals of Toyota Motor Philippines’ (TMP) flagship sim racing championship, the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing eSports GT Championship 2025, have been revealed.

Over 250 competitors from all over the nation used the Toyota Supra RZ’20 to record their fastest lap time around the Suzuka East Short Course on Gran Turismo 7. Only 40 participants from this group will move on to the quarterfinals, which will take place at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay on October 11.

The top 40 sim racers that will compete in the quarterfinals are listed below:

Final Lineup for Quarterfinals
Enzo Ison 0:56.272
Matthew Spencer D. Ang 0:56.352
Victor Lorenzo Ancheta 0:56.442
Corwin Josiah Mercado 0:56.467
Russo Gabriel Formoso 0:56.564
Jether Miole 0:56.606
Jon Steven Chua 0:56.695
Michael Vincent W. Velasquez 0:56.709
James Talanay 0:56.790
Bien Matthew Buenaventura 0:56.836
Michael Vincent Canicosa 0:56.904
James Patrick Lopez 0:56.905
Voltaire Sayco 0:56.906
Alonso Marcus Lacambra 0:56.914
Christopher Harris Tejada 0:56.915
Zeph Marcelo 0:56.946
Kryz Axl Aranzanso 0:56.953
Victor Emmanuel Baylosis 0:56.963
Francis Angelo Gonzales 0:57.024
Arlie Jophen Matubis 0:57.028
Reinier Tolentino 0:57.046
Ethan Gabriel A. Rubio 0:57.071
Joseph Eid 0:57.093
Jiro Marcelino Cruz 0:57.127
Jo Hashimoto 0:57.142
Jhan Vernon Ablir 0:57.166
Mark Voltaire Elman 0:57.194
Paolo Ayo 0:57.237
Sean Mervin Ronquillo 0:57.240
Karl Bryan Bonono 0:57.250
Elizabeth Mae Gumila 0:57.253
Bernard Villangca 0:57.271
James Michael Ortiz 0:57.275
Matt Frederic See 0:57.275
Sherwin Rada 0:57.286
Prince Von Erico Contreras 0:57.297
Alanzo Matteo Gonzaga 0:57.317
Vito Clodualdo Paul Manas 0:57.318
Diomel Railey Pingul 0:57.337
Corban Guerrero 0:57.340

The Top 20 from the quarterfinals will head on to the semifinals on October 12. The Top 10 from the semifinals will then go head-to-head in the national finals later in the day, where the Philippine representatives for the TGR Asia eSports GT Championship will be decided.

Esports fans can look forward to thrilling races, as well as other activities such as the sim racing rigs, game booths, and original GR merchandise for sale.

There will also be car displays of the GR Yaris, GR Supra and GR 86, as well as the Vios one-make-race car (OMR) and Tamaraw OMR that were driven during the 2025 TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Philippine Cup.

“We congratulate the sim racers who made it to the quarterfinals and look forward to seeing them push their limits for better at the live event at Ayala Malls Manila Bay. We invite everyone to come experience the thrilling world of eSports with us this October,” shared TMP Vice President for Marketing Services Elvin Luciano.

The TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Philippines eSports GT Championship 2025 is sanctioned by the Automobile Association Philippines and is brought to you by Official Fuel & Lubricants Partner Petron and Official Tire Partner GT Radial.

Toyota Financial Services Philippines, Tuason Racing, AVT, 3M, Denso, OMP, ROTA, Autoplus, PIAA, Vinyl Frog Premier Vehicle Wraps, AutoQuix, Sparco, myTOYOTA Wallet, and Kino One are also supporting this event.

Follow TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Philippines on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube and TikTok for more details about the TGR Philippines eSports GT Championship and other TGR events.

 

Entertainment

In the music video for “All U Wanna Do,” Barbie Almalbis takes over Shibuya Crossing

The award-winning singer-songwriter braves rain, rush hour, and onlookers in a spontaneous Tokyo shoot directed by Niña Sandejas

Photo by Nina Sandejas

The music video for Barbie Almalbis’s most recent hit, “All U Wanna Do,”  has been published.

Almalbis’ passionate performance in the middle of Tokyo, Japan’s busy city was captured in this eye-catching visual piece, which was shot guerilla-style at the famous Shibuya Crossing.

Almalbis stands out from the bustle of others around her as she sings with just her earphones for accompaniment, turning a brief moment into a very personal expression of annoyance, fortitude, and creativity.

Directed and conceptualized by celebrated photographer and filmmaker Niña Sandejas, the project emerged from an impromptu creative adventure during Almalbis’ travels in Japan, where she’s invited to perform.

“It wasn’t an original idea—every day, tourists record themselves in that famous scramble—but this shoot was something else entirely,” Sandejas explains. “Barbie sang full voice with only her earphones as a backing track, while strangers brushed past, stared, or bumped into her. The rain gave us only a brief pause to work, and we had a hard stop because she was headed straight to a gig that night. A few takes, a lot of faith, and a camera chasing her through the rush: that was all we had. Behind the lens, what struck me most wasn’t the crowd or the noise, but Barbie’s composure. Her dedication to bring to life each of her songs, giving the same devotion to a pop-up shoot on a rainy Tokyo street as she would to a stage.”

Joining Sandejas and Almalbis on the road was a tight-knit team: Rachael Roldan, who handled hair and makeup and assisted in lighting, and Martin Honasan, Barbie’s husband, who helped with crowd management. Ysmael Salvador, editor of the video, took Niña’s chaotic handheld footage and tied it into a cohesive and magnetic narrative. Salvador has previously worked with Almalbis on the visuals of her songs “Platonic” and “Needy.”

“As a nod to Barbie’s history, we layered in an echo from Hungry Young Poets’ song ‘Runaway’ where the sound of traffic and voices in Japanese that once opened the track,” Nina adds. “It felt right to bring that spirit full circle, folding memory into the present.”

“Niña truly is a natural, and I love seeing how she almost simply reacts to her surroundings instinctively,” Almalbis said in reference to the partnership, praising Sandeja’s innate artistic ability. I believe she has mastered that art for a very long time.

Click here to view the music video

 

 

 

 

Lifestyle

Nexusguard and Eastern Communications Form a Strategic Partnership to Boost Cybersecurity in the Philippines

The partnership was unveiled at Manila House, Taguig, on 25 September 2025

Eastern Communications (EC) and Nexusguard (NXG) representatives at the official launch of Eastern’s DDoS protection services powered by Nexusguard. [From L to R:] NXG Operations Head Mandy Tupaz, EC Co-Coordinator Jaeson Evangelista, NXG Senior Technical Sales Consultant Stephen Fernandez, EC Co-Coordinator Atty. Aileen Regio, NXG Channel Director Theresa Lim, EC Chief Revenue & Innovation Officer Edsel Paglinawan, NXG CEO Andy Ng, and NXG Product Director Donny Chong.

Today, Nexusguard, a world leader in cybersecurity and Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) mitigation, announced a strategic partnership with Eastern Communications, the leading telecommunications company in the Philippines. Industry leaders, partners, and stakeholders came together for an exclusive event at Manila House to formally launch the partnership and usher in a new era of cybersecurity resilience nationwide.

Through this partnership, Eastern Communications’ strong infrastructure and local market reach are combined with Nexusguard’s state-of-the-art knowledge of cloud-based DDoS protection and managed security services. The two businesses will work together to create comprehensive, scalable, and extremely dependable cybersecurity solutions that are suited to the requirements of Philippine businesses, government organizations, and service providers.

“We are proud to partner with Eastern Communications to extend our mission of safeguarding businesses from evolving cyber threats,” said Andy Ng, CEO of Nexusguard. “With Nexusguard Bastions Technology, organizations in the Philippines can now access world-class protection against sophisticated attacks, ensuring business continuity and peace of mind.”

In a joint statement, Eastern Communications Co-Coordinators Atty. Aileen Regio and Jaeson Evangelista emphasized, “By joining forces with Nexusguard, we are reinforcing our commitment to provide our clients not only with reliable connectivity, but also with the world-class security solutions designed to help them thrive in today’s digital-first world.”

The product launch complements Eastern’s connectivity solution, DDoS-Protected Eastern IDS (Internet Direct Service), which delivers a premium, dedicated, high-speed internet built for today’s business demands. Powered by fiber-leased line technology and fortified with advanced DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) protection, Eastern IDS ensures 24/7 reliable connectivity with symmetrical upload and download speeds of up to 10 Gbps. Backed by resilient global internet backbone access, this solution not only drives workforce productivity but also shields businesses from costly cyber disruptions.

A symbolic awards ceremony, industry networking, and the reveal of the joint service portfolio were all part of the inaugural event held at Manila House to honor the cooperation. Key executives from the telecom, enterprise, and technology industries were among the attendees, highlighting the growing significance of cybersecurity in the Philippines’ digital transformation process. As the local Cybersecurity Month celebration is conducted throughout October, this partnership is timely to strengthen enterprises.

Visit visit www.eastern.com.ph to find out more about Eastern Communications’ DDoS-Protected Eastern IDS and other cybersecurity offerings.

 

 

Entertainment

In two hours, tickets for the anniversary concert of Over October will be sold out

The chart-topping indie band announces to add 500 more passes for fans

Photo by Iya Forbes

Alternative pop band Over October is set to make waves once more as they mark their 11th anniversary with a free grand concert at the MOA Amphitheater on October 12, 2025, starting at 5:00 p.m.

The announcement has sparked massive excitement, with over 3,000 passes snapped up within just two hours of opening registration.

To accommodate the demand, the band revealed that an additional 500 passes will be released exclusively via the SM Malls Online app at 6:00 p.m., giving more fans the chance to be part of what promises to be one of their biggest shows yet.

“This all feels like a dream,” Over October said in a press statement. “The goal has always been to headline big shows, but seeing it come to life is surreal. Last year, we had our first major concert, which was sold out for 2 days. This year, we wanted to treat our fans to a free concert. We allotted 3000 passes that fans could claim, and to our surprise, all the slots were redeemed within the first 2 hours after announcing the show.”

The anniversary concert is dedicated to “Octobears,” whom the Ikot act considers family. Beyond the long set and main performance, the band is curating a pre-concert showcase featuring Octobears busking and sharing their art, further championing their mission to build community through music.

“We want to inspire them to keep dreaming,” the band adds. “It took us 11 years to get to where we are now, and it’s not just because of our efforts. It’s also with the help of all the people who supported us. We want them to feel that this success is also theirs, as we’re celebrating our community of Octobears.”

Fans can expect a heightened concert experience filled with upgraded visuals and lighting direction, newly improved setlists, and surprise guest performances. The special show also doubles as a post-release celebration for their new single “Dahan,” which dropped on 26 across major streaming platforms. Produced by Shadiel Chan, the song captures Over October’s signature sound while introducing a more playful and melodically intense arrangement. Its accompanying lyrical visualizer features a special cameo by acclaimed actor Donny Pangilinan.

“Honestly, Dahan also kind of captures our whole journey in the music industry—a 10-year slow-burn relationship,” the chart-topping indie quintet reflects. “Being active in the music industry for 11 years is such a blessing to us; not a lot of independent artists are given this opportunity to be able to make music for a living for more than a decade. This new single, and this new concert, are both reminders of why we do what we do.”

Over October’s Anniversary Concert is brought to fans by Over October in partnership with GNN.

The extra 500 passes can be redeemed starting at 6:00 p.m. today by searching “OVER OCTOBER” on the SM Malls Online app.