Filipino gymnastics champion empowers the next generation of athletes through hands-on training, motivational talks, and a shared vision of overcoming challenges
In Photo: Carlos Yulo takes a photo with the gymnastics camp participants from all over the country during the awarding ceremony. With them are the participants’ parents and guardians, Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) representatives led by President Masando Hashimoto, and Yulo’s coaching team led by coach Aldrin Castañeda
Carlos Yulo, a world-renowned Filipino gymnast, and Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) successfully wrapped off the “Start Your Impossible” 2-Day Gymnastics Camp, which took place at the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines (GAP) MVPSF Gym from November 15–16, 2024. With the goal of inspiring and empowering young gymnasts by offering them opportunity to improve as athletes, the camp centered on Carlos’ dedication to giving back to the community.
IN PHOTOS: Carlos Yulo actively trains young gymnasts how to perfect the craft of gymnastics
Yulo, a member of the Global Team Toyota Athlete (GTTA), started the young gymnasts’ training with the assistance of his coaching staff, which was headed by GAP coach Aldrin Castañeda. This exercise is a component of Yulo’s effort under Toyota’s global “Start Your Impossible” program, which encourages athletes to become socially conscious ambassadors in addition to pursuing athletic success. Yulo listed his advocacies as promoting food security and youth development via sports training possibilities.
IN PHOTOS: Throughout the Gymnastics Camp, the day always began with stretching and warm-up exercises
Over the course of two days, thirty young gymnasts aged 7-16 from Metro Manila, Davao, and Cebu engaged in three intensive training sessions and activities with the coaching staff and were also advised by sports nutritionist Jeanette Aro.
IN PHOTO: During the afternoon sessions, Carlos shared his advice to young gymnasts
“Under Toyota’s Start Your Impossible campaign, I recognize my responsibility as a Dual Hero—to not only compete and win but to uplift and mentor the next generation of athletes,” shared Yulo. “This Gymnastics Clinic we’re embarking on, along with a Nutritional Lecture, is a big step towards this mission,” he added.
IN PHOTO: TMP President Masando Hashimoto with Yulo at the Gymnastics Camp
“To our young gymnasts here today, our future champions and medalists, congratulations for completing the TOYOTA START YOUR IMPOSSIBLE GYMNASTICS CAMP. You learned from no other than the Philippines’ best gymnast! We hope you remember this experience always!” TMP President Masando Hashimoto shared.
Additionally, Caila, Ysa, and Eauline, attendees of the camp, shared that they enjoyed training with Carlos Yulo and that this is a gymnastics camp is a dream come true.
“We learned so much from Carlos, and this will be helpful for us when we have competitions coming up,” Ysa shared. “We dream of going to international competitions and represent the Philippines just like he did,” Caila added.
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The initiative aims to engage the country in a fight to alleviate food insecurity
In order to help the underprivileged people in Manila impacted by the recent typhoon and economic difficulties, Sony Music Entertainment Philippines, in partnership with Justin of SB19, has partnered with Rise Against Hunger Philippines (RAHP).
As part of the global ‘Season of Giving’ campaign, Sony Music Group (SMG) and its artists are contributing to the nations where the global music label conducts business. The campaign reflects the label’s steadfast dedication to improving the globe and assisting local areas where music is produced and enjoyed.
For the children at Better World Tondo, Christmas arrived early on November 7, 2024, when Justin, a member of SB19 and a rising solo artist, came to town for a day of fun games, amazing shows, and healthy food. Before giving them two more incredible performances—his solo smash “surreal” and SB19’s “Ikako”—the kids were clearly thrilled when their idol serenaded them with his mesmerizing rendition of Maroon 5’s “Sunday Morning.”
In addition to his performances, Justin of SB19 brought even more joy to the kids with interactive games like Bring Me, and even personally served their healthy menudo rice meals with papaya slices.
Justin of SB19 expressed happiness in taking part of the campaign, which is focused on providing much-needed food aid to local communities and offering a sense of joy and relief through entertainment. “I’ve been involved in several advocacies before, but working closely with Sony Music Entertainment Philippines and RAHP has somehow expanded my understanding of the power of using my platform for positive change. There was something incredibly fulfilling about seeing the children’s faces light up during my performance, and it was a special moment to personally serve them the food. This experience will always be a core memory for me, and I’m looking forward to being part of more initiatives like this in the future.”
“Justin of SB19 is incredibly warm, caring and generous with the children,” said Leni Renton, Program Lead at Rise Against Hunger Philippines. “They connected with him instantly, enjoying his performances and having a blast playing games together. This special experience, thanks to Sony Music, will remain a cherished memory for these kids for years to come. We are deeply grateful to Sony Music for their continued support and generosity.”
Renton also commended SMG’s Season of Giving initiative for not only providing the attendees with much-needed nourishment, but also for creating an unforgettable experience. She adds that Sony’s commitment to support Rise Against Hunger Philippines advocacies serves as a “powerful demonstration of their commitment to communities in need.”
“Beyond providing healthy meals, their involvement brings something truly special—an unforgettable moment of music and fun with the children,” Leni Renton shares. ‘Through this partnership, Sony Music not only nourishes their bodies but also inspires and uplifts their spirits by connecting them with aspiring artists who ignite their hopes and dreams.”
The global record label has made enduring memories and demonstrated the value of helping people in need by sponsoring the food program and providing live performances for the kids. Sony Music Group has demonstrated through our partnership how kindness and the power of music can have a significant influence.
Today’s learners face considerable challenges; their learning journey was set back several years by the global pandemic that halted face-to-face classes from March 2020 (the first implementation of community quarantines) to November 2022 (when the Department of Education, or DepEd, ordered a full return to school-based learning). According to UNICEF, Filipino learners missed more learning opportunities compared to their global counterparts, as the Philippines was among the last countries to reopen in-person classes—effectively putting Filipino learners at a significant disadvantage.
This situation is concerning, with Filipino learners collectively ranking 77th among 81 countries in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2022 rankings released in December 2023—an indication that many have been left behind. However, this disheartening situation of the Filipino learner also presents an opportunity for education stakeholders—parents, teachers, school leaders, and academic publishers—the whole learning community, to unite and give the country’s millions of learners (18,370,310 in the public school system alone, according to DepEd’s data for school year 2024–2025) the support they need to overcome this disadvantage and so they can thrive and succeed.
Rex Education, the country’s leading academic publisher for over seven decades and a vital stakeholder in the education sector, takes the challenge. REX has championed the Filipino learner since its founding in the 1950s, initially selling—and then publishing—textbooks and other scholastic materials that have long been staples in every classroom nationwide. These are all available at Rex E-Store (https://estore.rex.com.ph/), the company’s one-stop online store for quality learning solutions.
As the digital age emerged, ushering in distance learning, Rex Education responded accordingly by launching Schoology in 2015, one of the Philippines’ very first learning management systems (LMS). Rex Education’s Schoology represents the classroom of the future—fully digital and rich with innovative features that make learning easy, accessible, fun, and challenging.
“Technology cannot be an add-on; it’s a necessity,” Rex Education stated in a media release announcing the launch of Schoology. “Flexible learning is not a privilege or an advantage; it’s a necessity. Certainly, future-proofing our classrooms, although it cannot be perfected, is an imperative.”
That press release proved prescient 5 years later, as digital classrooms like Rex Education’s Schoology became integral to advancing education during a time when traditional classes were closed indefinitely. Moreover, Rex Education expanded Schoology, making it accessible to more learners nationwide, adding additional resources to the platform, and introducing new features and capabilities.
Now, with the pandemic in the rearview, Schoology remains an educational powerhouse, advocating for the Filipino learner in this age of hybrid education by enhancing traditional learning environments and providing 21st-century learning experiences. With traditional modalities infused with digital tools, today’s learners can embark on the challenging journey of making up for lost years while also preparing for a technology-focused future.
However, Filipino learners still have significant ground to cover, particularly in math and science, where they ranked near the bottom in the same PISA 2022 rankings. Rex Education, through First Eduspec Inc. (FEI), helps address this gap by offering a comprehensive ICT and robotics curriculum that can enrich the learning opportunities and experiences of today’s learners and prepare them for the challenges of tomorrow.
While today’s Filipino learners may be disadvantaged, they can achieve more and reach their full potential with the right support. This is a challenge to all the sector’s stakeholders—an urgent call to action—and Rex Education continues to rise to the occasion, para sa bata, para sa mamamayan, para sa bayan.
The nine-piece collective aims to revolutionize headline shows with an innovative mix of animation, film, and music performances
With an audio-visual spectacular that skillfully combines animation, film, and musical performances into a single immersive package, Filipino band Ben&Ben is poised to revolutionize the live concert experience. Their next performance at SM Mall of Asia Arena on December 14, 2024, is expected to be a first for the local music scene.
The concert will add a new layer to storytelling by fusing live music with state-of-the-art audiovisual components, drawing inspiration from their eagerly awaited third studio album, The Traveller Across Dimensions. This innovative concert will be conceptually and thematically based on the upcoming album, which pushes the limits of typical music releases.
In terms of the set selection, the event will offer a dynamic mix of crowd favorites, personal picks, and new songs from their recent album. In keeping with their distinctive sound, Ben&Ben have carefully chosen the songs on the lineup to complement the main plot. This contributes to the live stage’s ability to offer an integrated storytelling experience.
“We’re thrilled to share the story of Liwanag, the titular character in The Traveller Across Dimensions,” the nine-piece act explains in a collective statement. “We’ve shown a glimpse of this story in our “Triumph” music video, but the concert will reveal the full narrative in a way that no one has seen before.”
This special concert is designed to exude a cinematic experience, integrating the excitement of a live performance with the confines of filmmaking. Ben&Ben’sThe Traveller Across Dimensions concert aims to elevate the theatricality of their previous shows, hinting at exploring new, interactive technology to further enhance the show.
“It’s also the first time we will be incorporating Liwanag LED wristbands as part of the immersive experience,” the critically acclaimed act shares. “We are working with Pixmob, the same tech provider as some of the international concerts we’ve attended in the past.”
In terms of the set list, the concert will feature a dynamic mix of crowd favorites, personal picks, and new songs from their latest album. In keeping up with their signature style, Ben&Ben have meticulously arranged the lineup of songs to align with the overarching narrative. This helps in bringing an integrated storytelling experience to the live stage.
“It’s a delicate balance between staying true to what fans love and offering something new,” the band adds. “We’re excited to bring these songs to life in a way that’s never been done before.”
SM Tickets is now selling tickets for Ben&Ben’s performance of The Traveller Across Dimensions.
The latest album by the Filipino singer-songwriter conveys the unfiltered feelings of remorse, personal development, and the challenging road to recovery. Through songs of regret, letting go, and moving on, Marvin closes out an old chapter of his life with this lyrical follow-up to his debut album Promise. He then embarks on a new journey with hope and atonement.
“This album is about changing of plans and expectations,” Jason Marvin shares. “Acknowledging that we have no control over destiny; we can make plans, set expectations, and even prepare for what’s ahead. But when life throws you an unexpected storm, you just have to hold on to who you are and trust in God’s faithfulness.”
The album was conceived during some of the darkest days of Marvin’s life, a time of deep reflection and self-discovery. While undeniably written from a place of hurt and woundedness, the songs also became his lifeline—an outlet for emotional release and a source of comfort as he worked through his struggles. The music allowed Marvin to reframe his perspective on life, spirituality, and love, ultimately setting him on a path toward recovery and renewal.
Collaborating with two distinguished producers—Nicholas Lazaro of La Balls Studio and Shadiel Chan of 9 Degrees North—Marvin’s vision for Rewritten Promise came to life through diverse creative influences. Lazaro, known for his enigmatic style, brought a distinct artistic touch to the album, while Chan’s expertise in creating soothing, atmospheric soundscapes further enhanced the emotional depth of the project.
Marvin reflects, “Working with Nick Lazaro was always a learning experience with the way he would suggest arbitrary elements and vocal harmonies for my songs that fits so perfectly. He was an older brother who knew his stuff through experience and guided me well. Working with Shadiel Chan is always a vibe. The coldness of Baguio, the quality of equipment, and Shad’s patience and lightness allows you to breathe and thus making the creative process so fluid. He’s someone you walk with side by side and together you discover how magical the output would be.”
Musically, Rewritten Promise explores acoustic folk sensibilities, woven together with lush arrangements and deeply personal lyrics. Marvin’s storytelling ability shines as he takes listeners on an emotional journey—from feelings of isolation to the catharsis of reconciliation and growth.
Jason Marvin explains his though process as a musician, and likens his process like that of a storyteller. “I usually love starting raw and simple. Setting up the listener’s ears for a whole range of dynamics, a simple acoustic guitar paints a picture of loneliness. From the first track of Mag-Isa being the denial stage, until the last tracks of Pwede Pala and Yaman being so grand with drums, strings, electric guitars—as the culmination of the album, I’ve always envisioned this album as a reflection of my thoughts, feelings, and experiences. It’s that personal to me.”
The focal track of the album, “Pwede Pala,” is a testament to Marvin’s newfound hope and optimism. In this powerful song, he confronts his past fears and hesitations, finding strength in the idea of second chances and the possibility of love after loss.
Heartbroken people would joke about love being fleeting—walang forever—but I refuse to believe that even in the light of my story,” he admits. “I’ve seen it with my parents. Marriages can work. Marriages can be flourishing even after 40 years. Marriages can survive storms when both parties are willing to fight for it.”
Jason Marvin shows himself as an artist who isn’t scared to take on life’s most difficult challenges in Rewritten Promise (Volume 2), giving his audience a message of hope and resiliency in addition to an intimate look into his journey.
Rewritten Promise (Volume 2), Jason Marvin’s latest album, is currently available on all digital music platforms globally through Sony Music Entertainment. View the visualizer for “Pwede Pala,” the album’s featured track,here.
The Farmer Entrepreneurship Program, a joint initiative by the Jollibee Group and the Jollibee Group Foundation, Inc. (JGF), won the ‘Entrepreneurship Development Programme Award’ and the ‘Social Welfare Award’ at the recently held ESGBusiness Awards 2024.
Jollibee Group and the Jollibee Group Foundation, Inc. (JGF), collaborated to create the Farmer Entrepreneurship Program (“FEP” or the “Program”), which was recognized with two honors at the ESGBusiness honors 2024 for its significant improvements to the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in the Philippines.
In recognition of its dedication to assisting budding business owners and fostering an entrepreneurial ecosystem, FEP was granted the “Entrepreneurship Development Programme Award.” Additionally, it won the “Social Welfare Award” for safeguarding the fundamental necessities and well-being of marginalized groups, shielding them from dangers and adversity, and fostering social and economic stability. The Jollibee Group Foundation (JGF) has been acknowledged by ESGBusiness for the first time, highlighting its commitment to sustainability and creating just futures.
“We extend our gratitude to the ESGBusiness for recognizing our initiatives to empowering smallholder farmers in our country,” said Pepot Miñana Jr., Chief Sustainability and Public Affairs Officer at Jollibee Group. “We believe that the farming sector plays a huge role in achieving food security. Yet, they continue to face significant challenges due to various limitations such as lack of access to resources and sure markets. With FEP, our goal is to help them overcome those barriers by equipping them with skills and knowledge to become effective agro-entrepreneurs.”
The ESGBusiness Awards is an esteemed regional awards program that celebrates companies that lead sustainable development, showcasing those actively making a positive impact through social responsibility.
Empowering smallholder farmers
FEP is an agro-entrepreneurial and leadership program that aims to educate smallholder farmers on innovative farming technologies and entrepreneurship so they can adopt sustainable farming methods, increase their productivity, and gain higher incomes.
With FEP’s support, Filipino smallholder farmers have achieved income stability, repaid loans, accessed better financial services, built their own homes, and funded their children’s tertiary education, and inspired more youth and women to pursue farming.
Achieving supply resiliency
Jollibee Group acknowledges the farmers’ key role in having a resilient supply chain. As the most fundamental partners of the Jollibee Group in achieving its mission of providing a joyful dining experience to its customers, the local smallholder farmers clustered from 16 localities in the country directly provide white onions, green bell peppers, tomatoes, and other vegetables to Jollibee, Mang Inasal, Chowking, and Greenwich branches that ensure exceptional quality and flavor.
This year, Jollibee Group and JGF aim to increase the volume of vegetables supplied to enhance support and opportunities for FEP farmers. In 2023, FEP farmers delivered 1,367,000 kilos of vegetables to the Jollibee Group, meeting 24% of the Group’s onion requirements.
JGF President Gisela Tiongson noted the Program’s significance: “The FEP farmers have been our longtime partners in ensuring that we fulfill our mission of bringing the joy of eating to our customers by sourcing fresh and quality ingredients directly from them. This has been especially helpful for the company in improving supply resiliency and cost efficiency. Still, for the farmers, this means an improved and consistent income that could help uplift their livelihood, scale their business, and obtain access to better financial services.”
FEP has accredited 30 farmer groups, comprising 1,400 farmers. To date, they have supplied 11 million kilos of fresh vegetables to Jollibee, generating sales of P500 million.
To date, FEP has accredited 30 farmer groups, comprising 1,400 farmers. Collectively, these farmers have supplied 11 million kilos of fresh vegetables to Jollibee, generating sales of P500 million.
In order to help more farmers learn the AECA approach, JGF and Xavier University launched in 2021 the Agro-Enterprise for Inclusive Value Chain (AEIVC) course. To date, more than 500 national and local government personnel and cooperative managers have completed the course and cascaded the concepts to the thousands of farmers they assist.
The Farmer Livelihood Recovery Program, which provides typhoon-affected farmers with seedlings and fertilizers and enhances their resilience by facilitating a speedier recovery, is part of FEP because of the Philippines’ susceptibility to natural disasters.
Jollibee Group and JGF continue to show their dedication to helping smallholder farmers by implementing programs like FEP, which strengthens sustainable supply chains and economic stability.
The inaugural batch of youth trainees under JGF’s ACE Program and Youthworks PH is set to begin their on-the-job training in select stores of Jollibee, Chowking, and Greenwich in Cebu.
Under the Jollibee Group Foundation’s (JGF), Access, Curriculum, and Employability (ACE) Program and Youthworks PH, the first group of youth trainees will start their on-the-job training in a few Jollibee locations in Cebu, including Chowking and Greenwich. The Jollibee Group, the Philippine Business for Education (PBEd), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and Primary Structures Educational Foundation, Inc. – School of Knowledge for Industrial Labor, Leadership, and Service (PSEFI-SKILLS) have partnered to create this program.
The 21 “Not in Education, Employment, or Training” (NEET) youth trainees began their work-based training in Jollibee Group stores. This was the second phase of their training, which was supported by Jollibee Group and included the trainees’ housing and allowances, following ten weeks of classroom instruction. In addition, JGF and Jollibee Group collaborated with PSEFI-SKILLS to create the Quick Service Restaurant Operations (QSRO) track curriculum, which aims to close the knowledge gap in the food service sector for professionalized staff training.
The QSRO is one of the two tracks under the ACE Scholarship Program; the other track focuses on agriculture, which is done in partnership with technical-vocational training institutions to provide youth from low-income families the opportunity to stay in school and eventually improve their livelihoods.
The Supervised Industry Learning (SIL), an aspect of the Youthworks PH program, will run from September to December 2024. During this phase, the trainees will work alongside experienced store managers and crew members within Jollibee Group stores and will undertake a range of tasks including customer service, food handling, maintaining cleanliness and sanitation, and other operational procedures.
Launched in 2018, YouthWorks PH is a private sector initiative to increase access to quality training and employment opportunities for unemployed and out-of-school Filipino youth.
During the kick-off event last September 23, at Jollibee Parkmall in Mandaue City, Ruth Angeles, Chief Human Resources Officer for Jollibee Group Philippines emphasized the importance of SIL for the trainees.
“We are excited to welcome our trainees into the next phase of their program, where they will gain hands-on experience as skilled service crew. This part is crucial because it puts them in real-world situations and gives them the practical skills they need to handle the challenges of their job,” said Jollibee Group Chief of Human Resources Officer Ruth Angeles.
Investing in the future
The 21 youth trainees will be attending an intensive three-month on-the-job training that will allow them to learn competencies in Quick Service Restaurant Operations (QSRO) at select Jollibee Group stores.
As one of JGF’s core commitments in uplifting underprivileged youth, JGF President Gisela Tiongson underscored the value of investing in the future of the youth and creating pathways for their success.
“This initiative reflects our commitment to drive social change and open up more opportunities to help the next generation succeed and reach their dreams,” said Tiongson. “At Jollibee Group and JGF, we believe that by investing in youth education, we can build a more inclusive and resilient society where more people have a chance at a better life.”
Jessa Marie Jumao-as, one of the trainees of the YouthWorks PH program, said the workforce development training program has been a “transformative gift” for her. Prior to participating in the program, she used to be part of a cleaning service group, which made her realize that she is happy with work that deals with more people.
“I am very grateful to Jollibee Group and PSEFI-SKILLS for giving me the opportunity to become one of the ACE scholars and trainees of the YouthWorks PH program of PBED and USAID. I am grateful to them because they taught me new skills to be able to work in the food and beverage sector, and to have a better future. This has been a transformative experience,” said Jumao-as.
“We are elated to see the pilot batch of 21 out-of-school youth in Cebu City jumpstart this opportunity. This project is a testament to what we can achieve when we break down silos and work together. When government, businesses, educators, and communities join forces, we can empower young people, unlock their potential, and build a brighter future for all,” said Executive Director of PBED Justine Raagas.
Together with PSEFI-SKILLS, PBEd, and USAID, Jollibee Group and JGF will continue to expand the ACE Scholarship and YouthWorks PH programs by bringing them closer to more trainees in other regions of the nation in order to further enhance the skills and create more opportunities for more NEET youth trainees.
Now that Christmas is almost here, it’s time to celebrate! Racks and Tenya are trying to make Christmas dazzling with these new delicacies, so get your loved ones together and have a feast!
At RACKS and Tenya’s Christmas Product Launch on November 6, 2024, a number of exciting new goods were unveiled, making them the ideal spread for friends and family this holiday season.
I really love RACKS and Tenya; beside that, they serve scrumptious foods that are also savory and filling. Their sauces are divine, and also my favorite baby back ribs is such a chef-kissed dish for me. I also enjoy the different band performances and their polite service crew. Enjoy traditional recipes with a holiday twist and more! With Racks, you and your loved ones will discover the ideal harmony of flavors.
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Along with other brand-new items in stock, Holiday Steak & Truffle and Holiday Baby Back Ribs are certain to become your new favorites! This Christmas, the best sides and desserts are homemade tiramisu, truffle fries, and delicious potato gratin. Enjoy traditional recipes with a holiday twist and more! With Racks, you and your loved ones will discover the ideal harmony of flavors.
If Racks is all about comfort food done right, then Tenya, Japan’s No.1 Tempura Tendon, is taking your taste buds on a ride through snowcapped mountains and ice palaces! Take a taste trip to Japan with authentic winter flavors as Tenya brings the sparkling season to the Philippines. With snowflake dishes and sparkling plates inspired by Christmas, this seasonal special is sure to delight.
Snowflake Tendon and Snowflake Teishoku are an explosion of richness with a sparkling finish like flurries on your tastebuds. Pacific white shrimp tempura and pan-seared steak are melded together to excite you with every bite.
Also new is the matcha selection of drinks and dessert such as Yoghurt Matcha, Cold Matcha Brew and Matcha Tiramisu. These twists on the traditional are a taste sensation. Balancing delicate flavors with modern tastes, they are sure to take you away from the heat and into a winter wonderland.
As a kick-off to the Christmas event premiering these treats, Managing Director Leopoldo “Chukri” Prieto III shared a warm welcome to all the guests. “Thank you all for attending and celebrating this special occasion with us. We sincerely hope you’ll love the exciting dishes we’ve prepared for all of you.”
Lively performances followed his words, a band played all the Christmas classics and dancers energizing the crowd with their moves. After, Director of Operations Adele Susana “Denise” Ramos shared a quick message. “Our goal has always been about serving Filipinos with good food. No nonsense, just real, good food that people can enjoy with family and friends.”
After, the crew lined up carrying the new Christmas products offered by RACKS and Tenya, served to each table and met with excited faces all-around. Said by Cavallino, Inc. General Manager Edmundo “Iggy” Ramos, “We’re thrilled to serve you this unique experience only found at RACKS and Tenya—whether it’s the tender, smoky goodness that RACKS specializes in, or the crispy crunch of Japan that Tenya has perfected. We can’t wait for people all around the country to try these new dishes, and we are honored to be the meal people share with family and friends this holiday season.”
Tenya then invited the crowd and customers to spark hope; to spark a light bright enough to be a light in the dark for a child in need. By partnering with ChildHope Philippines Foundation, a portion of the proceeds from these special meals will be donated towards a child’s education and food security for the holidays. What’s better than trying a little taste of Japan while being a beacon of hope for someone else?
Tenya and RACKS have a lot to be excited about with all these new holiday items and the money raised going towards Christmas joy. These new packages are ideal for spending time with loved ones, enjoying delicious cuisine, discussion, and companionship, whether you choose to spend the season at home with friends or planning your next trip. This holiday season, enjoy a feast at Tenya and RACKS with your loved ones!
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Eastern Communications launches Thoughts on Tech Series 2 video podcast, focusing on Cybersecurity Awareness, featuring News5 anchor Jes Delos Santos, DICT Undersecretary Jeffrey Dy, and other tech industry experts.
In honor of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, Eastern Communications conducted interviews with prominent figures in the field to get advice on how companies should protect themselves against the increasing risk of cyberattacks.
The Philippine National Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-PH) recorded more than 2,000 cyber incidents impacting different enterprises between January and August 2024. The Philippine National Police (PNP) Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) reports that the number of cybercrime cases increased by 21.8% in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, indicating a wider growth in cybercrimes throughout the nation.
From January to March 2024, ACG recorded 4,469 cybercrimes — an average of 49 cases per day compared to 40 in 2023. Online selling scams topped the list, followed by investment scams and credit/debit card fraud. This surge signals a sharp rise in cyberattacks across the Philippines, highlighting the urgent need for robust cybersecurity measures.
Meanwhile, anti-scam app Whoscall reported a 200% surge in the number of scam calls and messages between January and August 2024, with over 3 million reported text scams and more than 320,000 scam calls.
Forms of cyber attacks have also changed, and cybercriminals are becoming more ICT-enabled as they resort to technologies like Fake Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) to directly attack users by sending spam and fraudulent SMS messages.
To address these escalating challenges, Eastern Communications’ Thoughts on Tech podcast series featured in-depth discussions with tech experts, exploring critical cybersecurity topics. These include the government’s role in mitigating cyber threats, safeguarding customer data, managing information technology (IT) risks for enterprises, and the opportunities and risks of artificial intelligence (AI).
Cybersecurity Solutions for Every Business
Cybersecurity was once seen as an optional and additional cost for many businesses. Today, it is an essential investment for both small enterprises and large corporations. Rex Evangelista, Head of IT at Eastern Communications, noted this change of perspective for cybersecurity.
Rex Evangelista, Eastern Communications Head of I.T. Division
“I would say that in terms of the importance of the organizations and the shift of organizations in the companies, they are now able to understand the importance of security in their organization,” he said, adding that mitigating cyber risks also protects a company’s reputation.
Evangelista also noted the importance of proactive cybersecurity strategies to mitigate the risks and maintain business continuity.
“They have to liken to insurance, that if [attacks] happen, somehow they are covered. The cybersecurity solutions are actually there to make sure that operations will continue, it will not be disrupted,” he explained.
Educating employees and spreading cybersecurity awareness is another need for a company to ensure employees are also protected against cyber threats, according to Evangelista.
Securing Customer Trust and Data
For businesses, especially in the finance industry, securing customer data is paramount. Pancho Reyna, Managing Director of AI, Data, and Engineering of UBX (UnionBank’s digital arm), emphasized the evolving nature of cyberattacks and the necessity of robust security measures.
Pancho Reyna, Managing Director of AI, Data, and Engineering of UBX
“From a cybersecurity perspective, the technology is also rapidly evolving and can be used for any malicious or any form of attacks,” he said.
Reyna shared that cybersecurity in the finance industry is not just about prevention, but also deterrence. “It’s making sure that your systems are difficult, if not impossible, to penetrate,” he explained.
Businesses should anticipate attacks and implement security layers that make them harder targets. Reyna also noted that business owners should be aware of their cybersecurity needs and adopt these necessities accordingly to protect themselves against cyber risks.
The Government’s Role Against Cyberthreats
Cybersecurity is not only the sole responsibility of the private sector. Jeffrey Ian Dy, Undersecretary – Infostructure Management, Cybersecurity and Upskilling of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) highlights the government’s efforts to protect the country against cyberattacks and offers key lessons for businesses.
Jeffrey Ian Dy, Undersecretary – Infostructure Management, Cybersecurity and Upskilling of the DICT
Dy pointed out that while the finance industry is more susceptible to cyber threats, no industry is actually safe from these attacks. The government, telecommunications companies, and the academe are also the most targeted institutions, especially for advanced persistent threats (APTs) like state-sponsored attacks, and cyber terrorism.
The undersecretary emphasized that understanding both the offensive and defensive sides of cybersecurity is crucial.
“Hacking is a lot easier now, and that’s the problem. The cost of offensive cyber security capabilities is less than the cost of defending,” Dy said. This means businesses must proactively strengthen their defenses.
He added that small and large businesses alike must prioritize cybersecurity investments in critical areas, such as securing Wi-Fi access points and implementing strong password protocols.
The government’s National Cybersecurity Plan 2028 brings together multiple agencies to address cybercrime. However, Dy stressed that this fight requires cooperation from all sectors, including private businesses.
“Security is not about securing everything. It’s focusing your money on where it matters the most. In that way, you can significantly lessen your security cost,” the undersecretary advised.
Understanding AI: Opportunities, Threats, and Training Your People
AI is a double-edged sword that offers both opportunities and risks. Catz Jalandoni, Country Head of the Global AI Council Philippines, emphasized that businesses must understand AI’s potential, while also preparing for its associated threats.
Catz Jalandoni, Country Head of the Global AI Council Philippines
AI can streamline business operations, drive innovation, and even help businesses stay competitive — 89% of Filipino leaders agree that AI adoption is key to remaining competitive. Jalandoni noted that AI is one of the tools that is easy to learn and is easy to access, with numerous free online courses available for users.
“Technology is a tool, use it, so that it will benefit you, and embrace it so that you are able to do more things that you thought are impossible or you are incapable of,” she said.
However, like any new technology, Jalandoni warned that AI can still be used. To prevent this, she introduced the concept of “mothering” AI, which involves teaching AI to behave ethically.
“When you mother, you say not only how it’s supposed to be done, but also whether it’s right or wrong. And that’s something that I’m championing, for people to actually ‘mother’ your AI,” Jalandoni explained. “You can teach it not only how to find information that is relevant to you, but how to access information that can actually be functional for you and what type of information it should be accessing.”
Strengthening Your Cyber Defenses
As cyber threats continue to evolve, businesses must stay ahead of potential risks by investing in the right technology, training their people, and adopting proactive security measures. Eastern Communications offers a suite of ICT solutions designed to help businesses protect their data and operations, from secure network solutions to robust cybersecurity tools.
A special session titled “Strengthening Cybersecurity in the Philippines: Best Practices, Emerging Threats, and Future-Proofing Strategies,” will be held on October 30, 2024, at Robert Sears Hall, AmCham Philippines, Makati City, in collaboration with Eastern and the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (AmCham). In the face of changing cyber threats, the event will teach companies how to remain ahead of the curve and guarantee their company’s resilience.
Call 5300-7000 or visit www.eastern.com.ph to learn more about how Eastern Communications can assist your company in protecting itself against online attacks.
