News

A Manila Water Advocacy Manager conducting an information, education, and communication (IEC) program at a barangay hall in Pasig.

Manila Water’s July desludging program has been implemented throughout Metro Manila’s East Zone and portions of Rizal Province, further demonstrating the company’s dedication to clean and healthy communities. Residents are encouraged to participate in this vital service, which supports public health and helps avoid environmental contamination, by the company.

Before every planned service, Manila Water runs its information, education, and communication (IEC) program to make sure locals are aware and ready. In collaboration with barangay offices and local government units, the IEC sessions give households vital information on the desludging process, its advantages, and the preparations they must make before service day.

“Desludging is a shared responsibility, and through our IEC program on sanitation, we make sure communities are equipped with the knowledge they need to participate actively,” Manila Water Communication Affairs Group Director Jeric Sevilla said.

Manila Water rolls out its July desludging schedule, supported by its IEC program. In partnership with LGUs and barangays, the IEC sessions help residents understand the desludging process, its benefits, and how to prepare.

For July, Manila Water desludging trucks and ground personnel will be deployed in the following barangays: San Jose in Antipolo; San Isidro in Taytay; San Pedro in Angono; Mambog, Layunan, Libis, and Libid in Binangonan; San Jose, San Isidro, and Balite in Montalban (Rodriguez); Ampid II and Banaba in San Mateo; Gulod Malaya, Silangan, Sta. Elena, and Industrial Valley Complex in Marikina; Rosario, Santolan, and Buting in Pasig City; Alicia, Pasong Tamo, Loyola Heights, Bagong Pag-asa, San Roque, Ramon Magsaysay Damayang Lagi, and Holy Spirit in Quezon City; Balong Bato, Ermitanyo, Pedro Cruz, Little Baguio, and Maytunas in San Juan City; and Poblacion and Mabini-J. Rizal in Mandaluyong City.

Frequent desludging is essential for safeguarding water supplies, lowering pollution, and improving community health in addition to ensuring that septic systems operate as intended. Residents who take part in this program help to make the community safer, more resilient, and a cleaner place for everyone.

Tala Philippines executives (L-R) Charisse Alvarez, President & Head of Finance; Patrick Yoder, SVP for Credit (Tala); Arianne Ferrer, External Affairs Director; Missy Santos, Marketing Director; and Moritz Gastl, General Manager lead special seed planting ceremony during TALAkayan, signifying Tala’s promise to nurture Filipinos’ dreams and financial growth.

As part of its objective to improve financial literacy for the majority of people worldwide, Tala Philippines pioneered the award-winning TALAkayan series of financial education seminars. The initiative, which is being carried out in collaboration with Empower and Transform (EAT), is to educate Filipinos on the fundamentals of money management and personal finance.

By releasing instructional digital content that is useful and simple to comprehend from its popular workshop series, Tala Philippines is further broadening the scope and influence of TALAkayan. This is a part of its endeavors to spread the value of financial literacy and education among Filipinos and to make financial education even more accessible. Every week, a fresh film covering anything from understanding credit scores and investing to everyday inflation tricks and viral saving challenges will be posted on Tala Philippines’ social media channels.

The financial literacy video series was launched during a special TALAkayan workshop conducted on July 8, 2025. Bloggers, influencers, and media practitioners participated in the interactive session led by financial guru Salve Ibañez who expounded on the concepts of goal setting, saving and budgeting, debt management, differentiating between good and bad debt, calculating one’s net-worth, retirement planning, and investing, and the importance of these in improving financial health.

At the end of the workshop, she stressed how anyone can greatly benefit from having access and knowledge about personal finance, and applying it in their day-to-day lives. This is the message Tala Philippines wants to bring out through the TALAkayan workshops and the video series—financial education is for everyone, no matter what age, occupation, gender or background you may have. It is a valuable tool that can impact lives for the better.

“You are not defined by when you started in your financial journey, but the steps you take to achieve progress,” Salve added.

With Ms. Salve Ibañez

Through TALAkayan, I’ve come to appreciate how vital financial literacy is in our everyday lives. Tala Philippines’ initiative, especially with its easy-to-understand digital content, makes learning about money management more practical and accessible for Filipinos like me. It’s empowering to know that valuable financial lessons—from saving hacks to understanding credit—are now just a click away.

Executives of Tala Philippines and Salve Ibañez pictured with members of the media, bloggers and influencers who joined the TALAkayan financial education workshop. This award-winning initiative is Tala’s response to the need for enhanced financial literacy in the country.

To date more than 1,200 participants from various sectors, including microentrepreneurs, factory workers, 4Ps graduates, OFWs, jeepney drivers, and farmers, have already been engaged across 13 TALAkayan workshops. These were held in various locations in Metro Manila, Laguna, Quezon Province, Nueva Ecija, and Singapore.

“Our goal with the TALAkayan workshops and video series is to make financial education more accessible to many. Money management and other related concepts aren’t usually taught in schools but it’s fundamental in leveling the playing field and giving everyone a fair shot despite the inequalities we may face every day,” said Missy Santos, Marketing Director of Tala Philippines.

By increasing access to financial services, especially credit, and encouraging financial literacy, Tala gives the vast majority of people on the planet the same chance to improve their lives and thrive both financially and personally.

Visit tala.ph and download the official Tala app to find out more about Tala.

Start your journey into financial freedom: https://tala.ph/borrow/.

Tala is regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission, with an email address at [email protected].

Photo shows: Ms. Sharon Burgos, PCPPI’s Environment, Health, Safety, and Security Manager (leftmost); Atty. Senando Santiago, Acting General Manager of LLDA (center); Atty. Carina Sumilong Bayon, PCPPI’s Chief Environmental, Social, and Governance Officer; and Engr. Fernando Ramos, PCPPI’s Head of Environment, Health, Safety, and Security.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the joint initiative, “Abot-Kamay Para sa Laguna de Bay – Mission in Action: Solid Waste Recovery,” has been formally signed by Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines, Inc. (PCPPI) and the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA). The partnership reaffirms the two organizations’ dedication to protecting and preserving the Laguna de Bay through cooperative solid waste recovery efforts and pollution control, in accordance with the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Law. In keeping with its long-standing commitment to the wellbeing of regional water ecosystems, PCPPI has also adopted the Magdaong River through LLDA’s Adopt-a-River initiative and continues to be an active member of the Muntinlupa Watershed Management Council.

Shop smart and fast with Sulit-Skwela 2025’s flexible installment plans with 0% interest and zero downpayment and get must-have gadgets while offers last

It’s almost time for last-minute shopping for many Filipino families as the back-to-school season gets underway. Essential devices for learning and staying connected are now major priority, as school checklists remain unfinished.

Enjoy stress-free last-minute shopping with Home Credit

With Home Credit, take advantage of stress-free last-minute purchasing. Home Credit Philippines’ Sulit-Skwela 2025 offers simplify last-minute buying. Purchase necessary gadgets for as little as ₱16 per day or ₱469 per month with flexible 24-month installment plans that provide 0% interest and no down payment. One legitimate ID is all that is required, and approval can happen in as little as one minute.

As a bonus, every laptop purchased under the Sulit-Skwela offer comes with FREE GFiber Prepaid UNLI internet. But hurry, time’s running out! Sulit-Skwela 2025 runs until July 31, only. Don’t miss this final call to score sulit gadget deals that are easy on the pocket.

Check out the top gadgets you can get with Home Credit.

Data-Ready smartphones for as low as ₱649 per month or just ₱22 per day

• realme C75– Get this reliable device for as low as ₱24 per day or ₱729 per month for 9 months, retailing at ₱8,999.
• Tecno Mobile Camon 40 Premier 5G– Own this feature-packed 5G phone for just ₱46 per day or ₱1,359 per month for 12 months, priced at ₱21,999.
• OPPO Reno 13 F 4G– Enjoy this amazing unit for only ₱26 per day or ₱769 per month for 18 months, which retails at ₱17,999.
• Honor X9c– Experience this remarkable smartphone for as low as ₱24 per day or ₱719 per month for 18 months, priced at ₱16,999.
• Xiaomi Redmi Note 14– Score this budget-friendly device for just ₱22 per day or ₱649 per month for 9 months, retailing at ₱7,999.
• Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra– Get this premium flagship model for ₱88 per day or ₱2,629 monthly for 24 months, retailing at ₱84,990.

All-day laptop buddies for as low as ₱1,199 per month or just ₱40 per day

• Acer Aspire Go 14– Grab this well-rounded performer for everyday schoolwork for as low as ₱40 per day or ₱1,199 monthly for 18 months, retailing at ₱29,999.
• Acer Aspire Lite 15– Make this excellent device yours for ₱45 per day or ₱1,359 monthly for 18 months, priced at ₱33,999.
• Lenovo Ideapad 1 82R400VXPH– Own this laptop designed for smooth multitasking for ₱44 per day or ₱1,319 monthly for 18 months, retailing at ₱32,995.
• Lenovo IdeaPad 1 15AMN7 82VG002DPH– Get this solid back-to-school companion for as low as ₱47 per day or ₱1,399 monthly for 18 months, priced at ₱34,995.
• HP 15– Get your hands on this incredible laptop for ₱47 per day or ₱1,399 monthly for 18 months, retailing at ₱34,990.
• realme Book Prime Laptop– Seize this stylish and powerful device for ₱88 per day or ₱2,639 per month for 12 months, retailing at ₱43,990.

Swak sa budget tablets for as low as ₱469 per month or just ₱16 per day

• realme Pad Mini– Take advantage of this compact device built for everyday use, available for just ₱36 per day or ₱1,079 monthly for 6 months, with a retail price of ₱8,990.
• Xiaomi Redmi Pad SE– Enjoy this reliable tablet for ₱23 per day or ₱689 per month over 9 months, priced at ₱8,499.
• Honor Pad X9a with Keyboard– Get this multi-tasking-ready tablet for only ₱17 per day or ₱509 per month for 18 months, priced at ₱11,999.
• Huawei Matepad SE– Avail this sleek and versatile device for ₱30 per day or ₱889 monthly for 9 months, retailing at ₱10,999.
• Samsung Galaxy Tab A9 Plus– Experience high performance in a slim package for as low as ₱60 per day or ₱1,799 per month for 6 months, retailing at ₱14,990.
• OPPO Pad Air– Get this lightweight and dependable tablet for just ₱16 per day or ₱469 monthly for 18 months, priced at ₱10,999.

Enjoy the Sulit-Skwela promo at over 15,000 Home Credit partner stores in more than 75 provinces nationwide. Applying for product installments is easy, with in-store Home Credit sales representatives ready to assist. For added convenience, you can also apply for pre-approval through the Home Credit App, available on Google Play, the App Store, or Huawei AppGallery for a faster and smoother shopping experience.

Visit Shoppingmall.ph to view the latest Home Credit offers, compare prices, locate local partner stores, and examine device specs.

Visit Home Credit Philippines official website at www.homecredit.ph or follow its official pages on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for additional updates.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). have granted Home Credit Philippines a license and are overseeing the financing company.

More information on HCPH is available at www.homecredit.ph.

In photo (from left): Engr. Raymund Christopher Puso, Public Relations Officer, Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SONAME); Engr. Jacklyn Descartin, President, SONAME; Sharon Musngi-Ngo, Business Unit Head, 2GO Sea Solutions; Bianca Peralta-Velasco, Publisher and General Manager, FAS Maritime; and Mr. Ricardo Tuliao, Vice Chairman, SONAME. Photo by Wilmar Almeria of FAS Maritime.

As part of the annual 75 Years of Naval Architecture and Shipbuilding celebration, the Society of Naval Architects & Marine Engineers, Inc. (SONAME) presented the first-ever Balangay Legacy Award for Domestic Shipping to 2GO, the top shipping and logistics solutions provider in the Philippines.

The award honors 2GO’s exceptional contributions to the modernization and advancement of inter-island sea transportation in the Philippines, recognizing the company’s critical role in influencing the maritime environment via operational excellence, innovation, and resilience.

Since 2022, 2GO has been actively modernizing its fleet to elevate the passenger and cargo experience. Today, the company operates nine ROPAX (Ro–Pax) vessels and one freighter, servicing 19 ports of call across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Notably, five of those ROPAX ships are among the country’s most modern and state-of-the-art vessels.

The Balangay Legacy Awards honor industry leaders who have helped chart the course of Philippine maritime history—from the seafaring heritage of ancient balangay boats to today’s sophisticated domestic shipping networks. The ceremony brought together leading stakeholders from the maritime and logistics sectors to celebrate this evolution.

“This award is a testament to our unwavering commitment to excellence, resilience, and national development,” said Sharon Musngi-Ngo, Business Unit Head of 2GO Sea Solutions. “As we continue to enhance our fleet, operations, and services, we aim to provide local businesses and industries with sustainable and reliable shipping solutions—ones that prioritize safety, convenience, and efficiency for both cargo and passengers.”

2GO’s position in promoting regional development and national connectivity is further strengthened by the fact that it is still the only RORO and ROPax logistics provider with direct routes from Manila to the Visayas and Mindanao, including recently introduced services to Davao and General Santos City.

Visit www.2go.com.ph or send an email to [email protected] to find out more about 2GO’s offerings.

For more information, please visit www.sminvestments.com.

Globe encourages student leaders to “go for it” at the recently held #GoForIt Student Fest 2025.

Globe #GoForIt Student Fest 2025, a youth gathering designed to inspire the future generation to fearlessly pursue their ambitions, sparked the potential of more than 250 student leaders from throughout the nation, starting in Metro Manila.

This flagship youth movement brought together students between the ages of 18 and 23 at the Power Mac Center Black Box Theatre in Ayala Malls Circuit Makati. It provided an environment where they could explore their goals, develop important relationships with their peers, and be inspired by people who followed their dreams and made them come true.

Student leaders Juaquin Pineda, Benjamin Teodoro, Clareene Borromeo (L-R) discuss their dreams and how they maximized tech and other tools to further their dreams

Anchored on the theme “Let’s go for that dream. Go for it,” the event motivated students to take the next step in their journeys, with Globe providing support through technology, opportunities, tools, and digital literacy. The program aims to stress the role of connectivity and innovation in youth building and community development.

“Globe #GoForIt Student Fest 2025 showed students what’s possible when passion meets opportunity. Through internships, mentorship, grants, and events, Globe helps Filipino students gain real-world experience and grow into future leaders,” said Roche Vandenberghe, Chief Marketing Officer.

The event featured three inspiring speakers who each represented a major academic strand: Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS), Accountancy, Business, and Management (ABM), and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

Singer-songwriter and producer Zack Tabudlo connected with HUMSS students through his presentation, “From Rejection to Recognition: Turning Setbacks into Soundtracks of Success, ” where he spoke about school and the early challenges he faced on the road to becoming a renowned music artist.

Student entrepreneur Soj Gamayon inspired ABM strand students with his talk, “Planting Hope and Harvesting Dreams: Using AI to Uplift the Filipino Farmer,” sharing how he built AgriConnect PH, an AI-powered platform helping local agribusinesses manage risk. In just 150 days, his startup won the Red Bull Basement World Finals, outshining 110,000 entries from 40 countries, and gained recognition in Silicon Valley for its potential to transform rural livelihoods. Soj reflected on his journey and hinted at future collaborations with tech enablers like Globe to scale impact through innovation.

Artist and tech influencer Mikael Daez talks about how he turned his passion to purpose at the #GoForIt Student Fest.

Artist and tech influencer Mikael Daez, representing the STEM strand reached out to students through his session, “Leveling Up in Life: Turning Passions into Purpose in the Digital Age,” where he discussed how his curiosity for technology had piqued his interest towards dabbling in content creation, and how connectivity, access to information helped him.

Beyond the insightful talks, Globe curated engaging activities such as the immersive Dream Booth, where students captured their aspirations in short videos, stating their name, dream career, and commitment to their goals. Globe also facilitated connections through Human Bingo, an interactive game encouraging participants to meet new people, find peers with similar ambitions, and capture memories at the Dream Wall. Furthermore, Globe took the lead in introducing attendees to the Globe Community Builders Program, offering valuable opportunities including volunteer roles, internships, student grants, and ambassador positions.

The GlobeOne app also offered student-only deals in the form of Globe Rewards, where users could exchange points for benefits that fit their needs and way of life.

Globe keeps developing areas where young people may learn, work together, and flourish, fostering not only their digital needs but also their goals for school, employment, and artistic expression.

For additional information on how Globe assists students in achieving their objectives, refer to www.globe.com.ph/community-builder#gref.

The Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT), the world standard for excellence in insurance and financial services, has announced a three-year premier sponsorship with Prudential plc, which will allow Pru Life UK to expand its agency force.

Pru Life UK benefits from the relationship by having exclusive access to top-notch resources, customized expert-led training, and a brand-new recognition program called PRUMDRT. These initiatives are designed to accelerate agency force development, hone leadership skills, and provide even better outcomes for clients.

Pru Life UK continues to lead with its commitment to building a high-performing and customer-focused agency force. Through this sponsorship, its agents can leverage the MDRT Academy to reach higher levels of qualification and performance, while agency leaders gain advanced training via the MDRT Centre for Field Leadership to boost team success and cultivate a culture of excellence.

“This partnership isn’t just about recognition—it’s about raising the bar,” said Maria Theresa Rivera, Pru Life UK Vice President and Head of Industry Recognition, “We’re investing in our agents, so they feel #ProudToBePru—to go further, faster for themselves and for our customers. It’s a strategic move that opens new doors and fuels professional growth which, in turn, powers business growth.”

The collaboration coincides with Pru Life UK’s ongoing efforts to promote financial empowerment in the Philippines. Its MDRT agents have spearheaded community-based literacy campaigns in recent years, such as Prudential’s flagship financial literacy program, Cha-Ching, which brings financial education into communities and classrooms1. These initiatives will be strengthened by the new partnership with MDRT, which will give agents even more resources and motivation to help Filipinos from all walks of life achieve financial security.

“This sponsorship reflects our long-term vision for growth that is meaningful—for our people, our customers, and our communities,” Rivera added.

Reference

Pru Life UK MDRT agents impart financial literacy to students in Cebu and Makati

The Recyclable, Disposable, and Compostable-labeled bins support SM’s waste-free future initiative and align with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Extended Producer Responsibility Act of 2022.

The United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) predicts that by 2050, the world’s plastic manufacturing would have reached 1,100 million tonnes, with dire implications for the environment, society, economy, and human health.

SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime), one of the biggest integrated property developers in Southeast Asia, is dedicated to building prosperous, sustainable cities.

SM Prime supports the observance of International Plastic-free Day on May 25 and its call to reconsider single-use plastics (SUP) for a single day as part of its environmental plan for a waste-free future. The group-wide efforts to support the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Act of 2022 are also celebrated by SM Prime.

A group-wide movement for the EPR Law

The SM group, working with its Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO), Philippine Alliance for Recycling and Materials Sustainability (PARMS), is pursuing a group-wide strategy to comply with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)’s EPR Act of 2022.

Formally known as Republic Act 11898, the EPR law requires companies to take responsibility for the recovery of their plastic packaging products and to pursue waste management programs.

Acknowledging the challenges and realities for businesses and on-ground operations through its EPR working group committee, the SM group commits to a plan of action in reducing and recovering its plastic footprint within the given five-year period, sharing alternatives and new technologies to respond to the growing global crises, and establishing partnerships with government agencies and other private institutions.

As the property arm of the SM group, SM Prime’s commitment to a waste-free future aims to create the needed infrastructure that will help support and maintain plastic waste management strategies.

Crucial to waste recovery efforts, SM Prime equips its properties with a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF), and standardized waste segregation and management practices to help reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills. A joint venture with a Japanese environmental solutions company, the SM GUUN Environmental Company, Inc. (SGECI), converts non-recyclable waste into cement fuel or “fluff fuel” for eco-conscious cement companies like APO Cement, Holcim, and Taiheiyo Cement, as part of its “co-processing” practice.

SM GUUN converts disposable waste into fluff fuel, which helps unload overfilled and over-capacity landfills.

Beyond compliance

SM Prime continues with its established programs such as the nationwide Trash to Cash recycling market. Since 2007, it has been one of SM Supermalls’ flagship programs that continues to be more relevant given the times.

Available in all 87 SM malls, the Trash to Cash program has since been recognized as a rewarding community-driven practice for surrounding residents and mall tenants.

Activating the SM malls to help their communities with sorted plastic waste, Trash to Cash incentivizes the exchange of recyclables to provide a venue for plastic recovery. Fifteen SM Plastic Waste Collection sites likewise serve as drop-off points for clean, empty, and dry plastics. In addition, the Solid Waste Action Program (SWAP) reverse vending machines at SM Megamall and SM Mall of Asia enable the diversion of aluminum cans and polyethylene terephthalate bottles (PET), which are considered high-value plastic products.

The annual International Coastal Clean-up (ICC), supported by SM Cares, continues to empower volunteers to take part in this global effort for a record-breaking initiative. In 2024 alone, SM Cares helped mobilize 23,000 employees, students, and various communities that joined nationwide volunteer efforts to remove trash from the world’s beaches and waterways.

Volunteers participate in the International Coastal Clean-up (ICC) for a shared cause, with sign-ups increasing each year.

Hamilo Coast, known for its Marine Protected Areas and its commitment to living in harmony with nature, together with employees, guests, and residents, recovers plastic waste during beach clean-ups.

Aiming for a waste-free future

Reduction is always the best option. The SM Hotels and Conventions Corporation (SMHCC) has long since eliminated SUPs from all properties in support of the UNEP’s campaign to phase them out. Pico Sands Hotel was also one of the first hotels to sign with the World-Wide Fund for Nature Philippines (WWF) in their Ayoko Na Sa Plastic Campaign in 2018.

In all of its hotel rooms, SMHCC has successfully removed single-use amenities including PET water bottles and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) shampoo and shower gel bottles. Bamboo or starch-based eco-friendly alternatives to plastic cutlery have been recommended since 2019 as part of the SMX Convention Centers’ requirements to promote sustainable events management practices. This is done in an effort to reduce trash output.

A larger impact is produced at a larger scale when people work together to lessen the effects of the plastic trash crisis. SM Prime wants to successfully divert a larger percentage of plastic waste away from landfills through improved waste management systems, efficient waste segregation techniques, and proactive community engagement.

“Our work is never done. There are new technologies, innovative solutions, and more avenues for collaboration to look forward to in making the EPR Act work for our communities,” said Engr. Liza Silerio, Vice President for Corporate Compliance and Program Director of SM Cares for Environment. “But we all have a role to play–it is every individual’s responsibility to create a waste-free future.”