Tech

The Globe team with Guinobatan, Albay Mayor Ann Gemma Ongjoco

Globe is further strengthening its relief and assistance initiatives in Albay as Mayon Volcano continues to remain under Alert Level 3, forcing residents in vulnerable communities to stay in evacuation centers due to ongoing volcanic activity.

Through its #AlagangGlobe program and in partnership with various organizations, Globe has been providing food aid and basic necessities to affected families in different municipalities.

Globe extends relief efforts in Mayon-affected communities in Albay.

From May 7 to 8, Globe assisted in the distribution of relief packs alongside local government units and partner group, Rise Against Hunger Philippines (RAHP):

• Muladbucad Pequeño, Guinobatan – 1,000 meal packs from RAHP
• Bariw Evacuation Center (Camalig) – 540 meal packs from RAHP
• Baligang Evacuation Center (Ligao City) – 105 meal packs from RAHP
• Additional 200 grocery food packs for Agpay, Guinobatan, and ⁠⁠⁠Baligang Evacuation Center, Ligao City, from Globe

These efforts were organized through the donations of customers via Globe Rewards and GoGIVE, which aim to provide immediate nourishment and support to families temporarily displaced by volcanic activity. Globe customers can continue to provide support to our affected kababayans by using the GlobeOne app.

Food packs delivered to Albay as part of Globe’s emergency response and relief efforts.

Further extending support, Ayala Foundation Inc. (AFI) will lead relief operations in Camalig City and Guinobatan, Albay, distributing 1,000 food packs in the coming days, together with #BrigadangAyala.

“Our work on the ground is rooted in ensuring that affected communities feel supported and cared for during this time,” said Yoly Crisanto, Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer. “Through collaboration, we are able to respond more meaningfully to the needs of evacuees.”

Jomar Fleras, Executive Director of RAHP added, “Access to hot, nutritious meals is critical in evacuation settings. We are grateful to work with Globe and its partners to help sustain communities as they navigate this disruption.”

With its collaboration with the local government units and partner organizations, Globe was able to mobilize relief efforts on ground.

Globe continues to collaborate with local government units, partner groups, and volunteers to widen relief efforts where assistance is most needed, while ensuring reliable network service throughout the region.

As conditions continue to develop, Globe stays committed to helping affected communities remain connected, informed, and resilient.

For more details, visit Globe Official Website https://www.globe.com.ph/.

As Filipino households continue to face the challenges of rising expenses and the ongoing energy crisis, Globe AT HOME is stepping up to ease the burden by making remote work, learning, and everyday digital living more efficient and sustainable. By proactively rewarding loyal customers with complimentary speed boosts of up to 1 Gbps, Globe AT HOME empowers families to balance work, school, and leisure at home, helping them save on transport-related costs, reduce energy use, and elevating their connection without added financial strain.

Customers can enjoy faster speeds at no additional cost, and those whose current modems cannot support the upgraded speeds can also upgrade their WiFi 6 modem for FREE with a 24‑month re‑lockup. This ensures that every household can maximize the benefits of stronger connectivity, whether for online classes, work from home, or even family entertainment.

“In solidarity with the government’s call for energy conservation, Globe AT HOME is committed to making the remote work and education experience as seamless as possible. By providing complimentary speed boosts of up to 1 Gbps and free WiFi 6 upgrades, we are empowering our customers to stay productive from the comfort of their homes,” said Abigail Cardino, Vice President and Head of Brand Management, Broadband Business at Globe.

“Every digital task completed at home is a step toward reducing our collective fuel consumption and easing the demand on transport energy, helping the nation navigate current global energy shifts with greater resilience,” she added.

With this initiative, Globe AT HOME reinforces its role as a trusted partner in nation‑building and collective resilience. More than just faster speeds and upgraded modems, it is about delivering connectivity that knows you, cares for you, and empowers you, helping families thrive in the face of challenges. By putting customers first and ensuring that every household can stay productive, entertained, and connected, Globe AT HOME enables Filipinos to keep going with Globe, no matter the circumstances.

For more information about Globe AT HOME Postpaid Plans and to learn how to upgrade, visit https://bit.ly/GFiberUpgrade

• The Visayas is becoming a major economic hub, with businesses seeking sustainable growth amid rising energy demands.
• Schneider Electric supports this momentum by upgrading supply infrastructure and helping businesses reduce energy waste through smart, efficient solutions.
• Its end-to-end approach to energy management combines EcoStruxure™ platform for modernizing power generation and distribution with demand-side tools like Energy and Power Management Systems (EPMS)  to optimize energy use, cut costs, and boost stability across the region.

At the IEMOP Market Operations Center in Quezon City, real-time monitoring ensures continuity of 24/7 market operations across the Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao grids.

As the Visayas emerges as a key economic hub, local businesses are looking for ways to grow sustainably and improve efficiency amid rising energy needs. In response, Schneider Electric, a global leader in energy technology, is supporting companies with smarter, more sustainable solutions through a two-pronged strategy, enhancing supply by upgrading infrastructure and managing demand through more efficient, digital energy use.

Last year, during the peak dry months of March and April, electricity prices in the Visayas climbed to PHP 6.40/kWh from PHP 4.39/kWh as both planned and unexpected outages occurred alongside increased seasonal demand, triggering yellow alerts. During this time, regional demand grew by 5.9% due to extreme heat, while supply tightened because of power plant outages.

This 2026, the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines (IEMOP) warns that the Visayas will continue to face power constraints, remaining the most vulnerable grid due to its heavy reliance on electricity imports from Luzon and Mindanao. This dependence exposes the region to risks from forced outages and limited reserve capacity, underscoring the urgent need for modernization and smarter energy management solutions that can strengthen grid resilience and support the region’s economic growth.

“We need to make the energy system work smarter from end-to-end. This means intelligent operations and building more capacity for power generation and distribution, and at the same time looking at how energy is managed, delivered, and used across the board,” says Ireen Catane, Country President of Schneider Electric Philippines. “That’s how we can support the Visayas so it can continue to grow, without compromising reliability or affordability.”

To aid this modernization, Schneider Electric deploys cutting-edge technologies that address both generation and consumption challenges. On the supply side, Schneider Electric is working with power generation and distribution partners to modernize facilities using its EcoStruxure™ platform—an integrated suite of hardware and software that enhances operational efficiency, data integrity, cybersecurity, and safety. This enables real-time monitoring, reduces downtime, and supports faster, data-driven decisions, making generation systems more reliable, resilient, and future-ready.

On the demand side, Schneider Electric helps businesses manage energy more effectively through digital tools like Energy and Power Management Systems (EPMS), which give operators visibility and control over energy consumption across facilities. These solutions allow automation of systems such as lighting, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), which helps to identify inefficiencies and reduce waste. For industrial users, technologies like variable frequency drives (VFDs) and soft starters improve the performance of heavy machinery while lowering electricity use and operational costs.

Schneider Electric’s Energy and Power Management Systems (EPMS) perform formal audits, metrics analyses and cost allocation to evaluate operations, reveal and validate savings and identify abnormal energy usage.

By adopting Schneider Electric’s end-to-end approach to energy management, local businesses can reduce energy costs, meet sustainability targets, and increase operational efficiency—making them more competitive while contributing to a more stable energy landscape in the region.

As investments and developments pour in the Visayas region and other parts of the country, Schneider Electric calls for stronger collaboration among energy producers, local governments, and communities to build a smarter energy system that enables today’s growth while preparing for tomorrow’s challenges. “Our focus is to help more industries build reliable energy systems that drive long-term progress and national development,” Catane adds.

Continuing its strong commitment to innovation, Schneider Electric—recently recognized by Time, Statista, and Corporate Knights as the World’s Most Sustainable Company in 2025, remains at the forefront of advancing a smarter, cleaner energy future for both communities and businesses.

Related resources: 

• Visayas Electricity Prices Soar Amid Heat, Plant Outages
• IEMOP Reports Steep Rise in August Electricity Prices Amid Supply Crunch
• IEMOP sees stable power supply for Luzon, Mindanao in 2026 but warns of Visayas constraints

Discover the newest perspectives on energy technology on Schneider Electric Insights.

TECNO’s newly launched CAMON 50 Series drew a strong offline debut in the Philippines, as eager customers flocked to participating stores and created noticeable retail buzz across major launch sites.

From the early influx of shoppers to hands-on product testing and steady purchase activity, the series transformed its first day of in-store selling into a lively and engaging retail experience for the brand. Long lines were seen outside authorized TECNO stores nationwide—including Metro Manila, Cebu, and Davao—starting as early as 10 a.m. Many buyers pointed to the phone’s flagship-level camera features, IP69K durability, and attractive gift bundle as key factors influencing their decision to purchase.

KOL One-Day Store Manager Program

Adding to the launch day excitement, TECNO rolled out its “KOL One-Day Store Manager” program, inviting some of the country’s most influential tech and lifestyle content creators to take over select store locations. Popular PBB Celebrity like Rave Victoria, Sparkle Artist Wynona Collings and Clifford Gawchua, and many lifestyle/tech creator like MESES VLOGs 2.0 and Bogart The Explorer who each brought their unique energy to different TECNO stores nationwide.

The KOL store managers not only interacted with customers but also offered hands-on demonstrations of the CAMON 50 Ultra 5G’s key features, including the Super-Zoom FlashSnap for zero-shutter lag action shots and the 100x zoom telephoto lens.

Special First-day offer Add to the Hype

Many shoppers also took the opportunity to experience the CAMON 50 Series on-site, with particular interest in the lineup’s imaging features, stylish design, and getting launch-day extra freebies.

“The first-day over 3000 orders response shows the strong excitement surrounding the CAMON 50 Series in the Philippines,” said Jason Wong, Country Manager of TECNO Philippines. “We are encouraged by the strong store traffic, the customer energy on the ground, and the growing interest in TECNO’s latest imaging and AI smartphone experience.”

Following its strong first-day in-store turnout and ongoing launch-week efforts, TECNO anticipates the CAMON 50 Series will maintain its momentum as more consumers explore the lineup both in physical stores and online.

TECNO today officially launches the CAMON 50 Series in the Philippines, bringing its most advanced AI-powered imaging smartphone lineup to consumers nationwide. Following the massive success of the pre-order campaign that saw unprecedented foot traffic across authorized stores and online platforms, the series is now available for purchase at all authorized TECNO physical stores and e-commerce partners.

Flagship Imaging, Built for Filipino Creators

The CAMON 50 Ultra 5G is engineered for those who demand professional-grade photography in the most demanding environments. At its core is a versatile quad-camera setup: a 50MP main shooter with a large 1/1.56-inch Sony LYTIA 700C Ultra sensor offering Super-zoom Flashsnap, a 50MP f/2.4 telephoto lens offering 100x super zoom, an 8MP f/2.2 ultra-wide camera with 5cm macro capability, and a 50MP Auto-focusing front camera. With a maximum zoom range of up to 100x and 4K HDR video support, the device delivers unprecedented zoom capabilities at its price point. The phone has achieved a DxOMark camera rating of 146 points, the highest in its class.

Built for the Real World: IP69K and Military-Grade Durability

For the first time in the whole CAMON series, they features triple protection ratings of IP68, IP69, and IP69K, offering resistance to dust, water immersion, and high-pressure, high-temperature water jets. This is complemented by MIL-STD-810 military-grade certification against drops and harsh conditions, making it one of the most durable smartphones in its segment.

Powerful Display and Performance

CAMON 50 Ultra 5G sports a 6.78-inch curved AMOLED display with Gorilla Glass protection, a 120Hz refresh rate, 240Hz touch sampling rate, 2160Hz PWM dimming, and crisp 1.5K resolution. Under the hood, the 4nm MediaTek Dimensity 7400 Ultimate chipset powers the device. The CAMON 50 brings TECNO’s imaging and durability experience to a wider group of consumers, beside the camera, also offering 60-month TÜV-certified fluency, and a 1.5K 144Hz ultra-bright AMOLED display. It is designed for users who want a reliable all-around smartphone that supports both work and everyday life while delivering a stronger imaging experience. A massive 6,500mAh battery with 70W Ultra Charge ensures all-day power for extended shoots and editing sessions in CAMON 50 Series

The official prices for the CAMON 50 Series in the Philippines are:

• CAMON 50 Ultra 5G 8GB + 256GB – PHP 19,999
• CAMON 50 Ultra 5G 12GB + 256GB – PHP 21,999
• CAMON 50 Ultra 5G 12GB + 512GB – PHP 25,999
• CAMON 50 8GB + 256GB – PHP 13,999

launch gifts and exclusive inclusions, including a CAMON 50 Series Exclusive Gift Box, an Air Conduction Headphone, a Charging Lanyard Cable, and a CAMON Creator Gift Set, together with 60 Days Free Replacement, 3 Years of 50GB Free Cloud Storage, 2 Years Warranty, 1 Year MovieBox Premium Membership, and a Creator Dito Sim Bundle, By bundling the CAMON 50 Ultra 5G with a DITO Starter Pack offering 30 days of connectivity and 1GB daily data for TikTok and Facebook, the partnership lowers the barrier to the creator economy—turning a smartphone into a smart investment.

TECNO is also strengthening the smart lifestyle experience around the CAMON 50 Series through bundle offers with its latest wearables. During the launch period, consumers can save PHP 1,000 on Watch NEO (SRP PHP 3,499), save PHP 1,000 on FreeHear 2 (SRP PHP 2,999)

Flexible Payment Options

To make the CAMON 50 Series more accessible, TECNO has partnered with leading financing providers. Customers can purchase through BillEase, Home Credit, or Skyro with flexible installment plans. It offers 0% interest installment options on select plans, up to 12months terms, making it easier for Filipino consumers to own the flagship imaging device.

“CAMON 50 Series is designed for Filipino users who want more than just a smartphone. It is built for people who want stronger imaging, smarter AI support, and a device that feels like a meaningful upgrade in everyday life,” said Jason Wong, Country Manager of TECNO Philippines. “With this launch, we want to give consumers a phone that not only looks and feels premium, but also helps them create, express, and do more.”

The official launch of the CAMON 50 Series also builds on TECNO’s continued partnership with Sarah Geronimo, whose strong trust, mainstream appeal, and broad consumer resonance further strengthen the series’ positioning in the Philippine market. Fans can catch Sarah’s live at the upcoming Earth Day Run Manila leg on April 19, 7am at SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds, where she will participate in CAMON 50 Series product experience activities.

As tensions in the Middle East continue to dominate the news, worries about possible disruptions to global connectivity have increased. Eastern Communications, a major telecommunications provider in the Philippines, assures its customers and partners that its services remain fully operational, with no expected interruptions.

The company has proactively implemented its Business Continuity Management Plan (BCMP), a comprehensive strategy designed to ensure uninterrupted operations under any circumstances. Key technical and field teams remain fully deployed, supported by a hybrid work setup that prioritizes employee safety while maintaining reliable service delivery.

“Connectivity is essential for businesses and communities, and our priority is to keep it uninterrupted,” said Atty. Aileen Regio, Co-Coordinator of Eastern Communications. “Our preparedness measures, combined with a resilient network design, allow us to continue providing reliable service even amid global uncertainties.”

Eastern Communications’ network architecture is built for adaptability. With geographically diverse submarine cable routes and independent core nodes, traffic is automatically rerouted in the event of any localized or regional disruption. This layered redundancy ensures that enterprises, institutions, and households continue to use stable, high-quality connectivity at all times.

The company’s commitment to continuity extends to power management. In line with the National Energy Emergency Plan, Eastern Communications optimizes energy use across its facilities. Its sites are also equipped with uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems and backup generators, while a guaranteed supply of fuel reserves ensure that operations can continue without interruption even during commercial power fluctuations.

Jaeson Evangelista, Co-Coordinator of Eastern Communications, emphasized the company’s proactive approach: “We continuously monitor our network and coordinate with international partners to identify potential risks early. This vigilance, combined with our technical safeguards, ensures that our customers can rely on us for continuously reliable service.”

Through these initiatives, Eastern Communications protects its operations while strengthening its position as a reliable partner for businesses and communities throughout the Philippines. By leveraging strong infrastructure, careful planning, and constant monitoring, the company shows its ability to deliver uninterrupted connectivity even in an uncertain global landscape.

For inquiries or more information about Eastern Communications’ services, please call 5300-7000 or visit www.eastern.com.ph.

SM Supermalls and Sparklo executives formalize their partnership during the official launch of Sparklo’s reverse vending machines in the Philippines, expanding the SM Green Recycling Machine program under the SM Green Movement.

By forming a new alliance with the international cleantech firm Sparklo, SM Supermalls is bolstering its dedication to environmental sustainability. By extending the reach of the SM Green Movement and the SM Green Recycling Machine (GRM) program, the alliance seeks to increase recycling’s accessibility, convenience, and satisfaction for participating customers via SM malls across the country.

Through the partnership, Sparklo’s reverse vending machine technology was introduced for the first time in the Philippines, giving patrons of SM malls a creative option to recycle plastic bottles and cans.

“This initiative further elevates the role our malls play in ensuring a greener future, all for Filipinos. When we help make recycling accessible and rewarding, taking steps to protect the environment for a more sustainable tomorrow becomes as easy as stepping into your most-loved SM Supermall,” said Steven Tan, SM Supermalls President.

Technology for the Environment

The SM Green Recycling Machine program empowers communities by transforming every day mall visits into meaningful acts of environmental responsibility. By providing easily accessible avenues for customers to build the practice of recycling, the initiative helps divert plastic away from landfills while encouraging long-term sustainable habits among mallgoers. All collected plastics are properly processed and recycled, supporting SM Prime Holdings’ commitment to a waste-free future.

Customers simply place empty PET plastic bottles into the recycling machine, which collects and sorts the bottles for proper recycling while encouraging responsible waste disposal.

SM Supermalls President Steven Tan tests the Sparklo reverse vending machine, underscoring SM’s commitment to empowering communities to build everyday recycling habits.

A Green Movement That Cares

The program is part of the SM Green Movement, the environmental sustainability platform of SM Supermalls that inspires communities to adopt greener lifestyles.

Under the program’s initial phase, 10 SM Green Recycling Machines have been deployed across selected SM malls nationwide, allowing customers to conveniently recycle PET plastic beverage bottles during their visits.

Participating locations include SM Mall of Asia, S Maison, SM Southmall, SM Aura, SM North Edsa, SM Megamall, The Podium, SM City San Lazaro, SM Seaside City Cebu and SM Lanang.

The partnership with Sparklo will further scale this effort through the planned rollout of 30 additional recycling machines in more SM Supermalls across the Philippines.

“By combining innovative recycling technology with community participation, the SM – Sparklo partnership aims to strengthen the country’s recycling ecosystem while promoting responsible waste management practices,” said Ellen Quilas, Sparklo Country Manager.

A customer uses the SM Green Recycling Machine Powered by Sparklo—symbolizing how simple everyday actions can help build a waste‑free future, one recycled bottle at a time

A recycled‑plastic bin demonstrates how discarded bottles can be transformed into useful community assets—turning waste into purpose and supporting more sustainable habits for all.

Partnership for a Waste-Free Tomorrow

Additionally, the extended initiative supports SM’s Waste-Free Future campaign, which strengthens the company’s larger commitment to sustainable community involvement, plastic waste reduction, and environmental stewardship.

SM continues to make recycling easier and more accessible through partnerships, technology, and regular participation from mall patrons, enabling communities to take modest steps toward a cleaner and more sustainable future.