Explore, experience, and live the tech life this August  Tech is everywhere. It’s in the way we create, work, and play, adding a little more excitement to the things we love. From smart gadgets that simplify your daily grind to pop culture experiences that bring communities together, tech isn’t just about the future–it’s about making life more fun, connected, and more YOU! This August, SM Supermalls invites you to explore, experience, and live the tech life at the SM Tech Fair! From August 1 to 31, SM transforms its spaces into tech wonderlands where innovation meets lifestyle, and where your favorite gadgets are right at your fingertips. 𝗔 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗴𝗮𝗱𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 Forget the old-school way of just browsing shelves. SM is flipping the script by creating immersive and interactive zones where you can actually experience what’s next. Imagine smart devices that respond to your voice, fitness gadgets that track every move like a personal coach, and hands-on exhibits where you can try before you buy. And because we know tech is also about fun, expect a whole layer of mixed reality adventures—from scavenger hunts that win you SM vouchers, to larger-than-life gadgets you’ll definitely want on your feed, to interactive walls that make browsing feel like a game. 𝗘𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘆 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗖𝘆𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘇𝗼𝗻𝗲 And of course, your ultimate tech and gadgets hub–Cyberzone–is leading the celebration! To kick off SM Supermalls’ 40th anniversary, Cyberzone is prepping a special lineup of premium gadgets from top brands only available during Tech Month. Think of it as a huge limited-edition drop you don’t want to miss. So whether you are into gaming, lifestyle gadgets, or just looking for what’s new, Cyberzone is your place to go! 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲: 𝗣𝗼𝗽 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 And because tech doesn’t live in a vacuum, SM is making space for the communities that bring it to life. Your fave SM malls will have a vibrant hub for all things geek and pop culture called Pop Central! Picture cosplay competitions with jaw-dropping costumes, tabletop card game meetups, and tournaments where strategies come alive, live gaming tournaments that turn mall spaces into battlegrounds, and collectible exhibits that will have every toy enthusiast swooning. Add in local illustrators showcasing their art, and you’ve got a creative mash-up of tech, style, and fandoms. 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗴𝗼, “𝗔𝗱𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝘁!” But what’s a tech celebration without a little retail therapy? The Great Gadget Sale is here with jaw-dropping discounts of up to 50% off your dream devices. Whether it’s upgrading your phone, getting that sleek smartwatch, or finally leveling up your gaming setup, this is the time to do it in-store or via the SM Malls Online app! Plus, SM’s fintech partners are rolling out special rebates and flexible payment plans, making it even easier to grab the gadgets you’ve been eyeing. So why just scroll about the future online when you can step right into it? Explore it. Experience it. Live it—only at SM. Visit www.smsupermalls.com or follow @SMSupermalls for the full lineup of events. Don’t forget to share your #SMTechLife moments!  

Xtelify’s pioneering digital capabilities to accelerate Globe Telecom’s digital transformations   Xtelify, a fully-owned subsidiary of Bharti Airtel (Airtel) housing all of Airtel’s digital assets and capabilities, today launched an AI-powered, future-ready software platform that will help telcos all around the world rid themselves of underlying complexity, focus on the customer helping improve experience, lower churn and raise ARPU. Addressing every layer of the telecom value chain, the solution comes with a converged data engine for AI led insights and intelligence at scale, a Workforce platform for real time task streamlining and an experience platform for managing every element of the customer journey for a telco. Xtelify signed a multi-year, multi-dollar partnership with Globe Telecom, as part of which, Xtelify will deploy its cutting edge, next-generation, AI-powered advanced customer services platform, Xtelify Serve, in the Philippines. This will help Globe Telecom in elevating its customer experience at scale through omni-channel service assurance, streamlined internal processes and intelligent data-driven operations. Carl Cruz, Globe President and CEO said, “At Globe, our North Star has always been our deep desire to help uplift the lives of Filipinos by creating meaningful, reliable, and human-centered experiences. This partnership with Airtel and Xtelify is a bold step forward in that aspiration, empowering us to serve our customers with greater empathy, intelligence, and speed.” “By integrating Xtelify’s AI-powered Case Management Platform into our operations, we bring to life our commitment to best-in-class service across every journey, from the first touchpoint to final resolution. This transformation enables a more seamless and transparent experience for our customers, where concerns are addressed with clarity, accountability, and genuine care,” Cruz added. “We are proud to collaborate with Airtel and Xtelify, two like-minded partners equally committed to raising the bar for customer experience globally. Together, we are not just launching a platform, we are building a new standard for service excellence, one that helps bring our shared vision of a more admired and more customer-centric telco to life.” Gopal Vittal, Vice Chairman and MD of Bharti Airtel, said, “It is a very pivotal moment in our history as we take our world-class, home-grown platforms of Airtel Cloud and software solutions to businesses in India and telcos all over the world. We are privileged to have signed a partnership with Globe. Within Airtel, we have been actively harnessing digital innovations at unmatched scale to transform our services and enhance customer experience at Airtel for many years now. This has involved powering over 590 million customer touchpoints and solving some of the most complex telecom challenges in the world.” “All this is enabled by Airtel Cloud where all our applications run at a very compelling cost. Today, we are also excited to take  our telco-grade, sovereign-cloud platform and help businesses in India innovate faster, scale smarter and stay secure in today’s rapidly-evolving digital landscape. All controls of our cloud will reside strictly within the country ensuring zero possibility of any entity outside India being able to access any part of this data or its working,” Vittal added. Xtelify also launched a sovereign, telco-grade cloud platform, Airtel Cloud. Tailored to handle 1.4 billion transactions per minute for Airtel’s own use in India, this sovereign Cloud platform is now being extended to meet the ever-evolving needs of businesses in India. Hosted on next-gen sustainable data centres, with Gen-AI based provisioning, and managed by 300 certified cloud experts, the highly secure and reliable Airtel Cloud offers IaaS, PaaS and advanced connectivity and guarantees secure migration, effortless scaling, lower costs and no vendor lock-ins.

Globe now covers 96.13% of the Philippine population with its mobile network. Based on the 2020 population tally, that’s over 106 million people who can rely on mobile signals for calls, internet access, and daily communication. Despite this, around 4.2 million Filipinos still remain outside the coverage areas. These are Filipinos who live in remote towns situated in barely inhabited islands, mountainous regions, or places where terrain and lack of basic infrastructure like electricity have made it difficult to put up digital infrastructure. Reaching these people really poses a challenge. “There is still much work to be done to bring quality connectivity to every Filipino. Globe remains fully committed to making it happen,” said Joel Agustin, SVP for Network Planning and Engineering. With continuous builds, Globe expects to raise its population coverage because every bit of progress means more people gaining access to vital services and opportunities. In 2024, Globe invested ₱56.2 billion in capital expenditures. Most of that was spent to strengthen the network, building over 1,200 new cell sites, upgrading more than 4,600 to LTE, and putting up close to 600 new 5G sites. This helped bring mobile coverage to near-universal levels in key cities: close to full coverage in Metro Manila, and nearly 97% across major cities in Visayas and Mindanao. Globe continues to focus on areas that are underserved, those with limited or no access. These are now being prioritized in the company’s expansion plans. The goal is not just broader reach, but deeper impact, because for many of these communities a stable mobile signal can open the door to education, livelihood, and business development. “We remain targeted and strategic in our network builds, focused on enabling and uplifting the lives of more Filipinos, and contributing to national development,” Agustin said. Even as the network grows, Globe is careful not to overlook quality. Over the past three years, it has consistently been recognized as the country’s most reliable mobile network, a reflection of its ongoing efforts to deliver stable and dependable service wherever possible. To reach communities where electricity is still unreliable or unavailable, Globe also uses off-grid and solar-powered towers. On top of that, the company works closely with local governments to speed up permitting and community coordination. The work is far from over, but every new connection brings the country a little closer to closing the digital divide.  

Three-Year Pension Increase to Benefit All Types of Pensioners   MANILA, Philippines — The Social Security System (SSS) will implement a landmark Pension Reform Program starting September 2025, in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and following the discussion of Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto with the President on the matter.  Supported by comprehensive actuarial studies, the program features a structured, three-year increase in pensions for all SSS pensioners – the first multi-year adjustment of its kind in the institution’s 68-year history. The SSS Pension Reform Program was approved by the Social Security Commission (SSC) under Resolution No. 340-s.2025 dated 11 July 2025.  Corresponding SSS Circular on the Program shall be published accordingly in a newspaper of general circulation. Anchored on Republic Act No. 11199 (Social Security Act of 2018), particularly Section 4 empowering the SSC to adjust pension benefits, this reform answers the long-standing call for higher pensions while ensuring the fund’s long-term stability. “We’ve heard the clamor for higher pensions loud and clear,” said SSS President and CEO Robert Joseph M. De Claro. “With the guidance of Finance Secretary and SSC Chairperson Ralph G. Recto, and after careful actuarial review, we are rolling out a rational and sustainable pension increase that uplifts all pensioners without compromising the fund’s actuarial soundness.” Pension Increases from 2025 to 2027 The increases will be implemented in three annual tranches every September: September 2025 (for pensioners as of 31 August 2025): 10% increase – Retirement and Disability Pensioners 5% increase – Death or Survivor Pensioners September 2026 (for pensioners as of 31 August 2026): Additional 10% increase – Retirement and Disability Pensioners Additional 5% increase – Death or Survivor Pensioners September 2027 (for pensioners as of 31 August 2027): Additional 10% increase – Retirement and Disability Pensioners Additional 5% increase – Death or Survivor Pensioners After three years, pensions will have increased by approximately 33% for retirement/disability pensioners and 16% for death/survivor pensioners. Sample Pension Increases (2025-2027) The table below illustrates the estimated pension increases for sample cases over the three-year implementation period (2025–2027). Reform Principles The program is guided by three principles: Uplifting all pensioners through inclusive benefit adjustments. Recovering from inflation to protect purchasing power. Promoting the value of working, saving, investing, and prospering, as mandated by RA 11199. Impact and Financial Sustainability According to the SSS Chief Actuary, the reform will result in only a manageable reduction of fund life from 2053 to 2049, offset by stronger cash flows from previous contribution reforms and enhanced collection efforts. “Our actuarial team confirms that the fund remains financially sound,” De Claro stressed. “We are committed to restoring fund life back to 2053 through coverage expansion and improved collection efficiency.” The reform will benefit over 3.8 million pensioners, including 2.6 million retirement/disability pensioners and 1.2 million survivor pensioners, and is projected to inject ₱92.8 billion into the economy from 2025 to 2027. No Contribution Increase This Pension Reform Program (PRP) will not necessitate any contribution increase unlike the ₱1,000 additional benefit allowance given to all pensioners starting 2017 that immediately required contribution increases to restore financial stability to the SSS fund. The SSS Pension Reform Program of 2025 marks a historic step toward a more inclusive and responsive social security system—one that protects the dignity and well-being of Filipino retirees and their families.          

(Updates as of 11:00 AM, July 28, 2025) Globe continues to step up its recovery and relief operations in the wake of Typhoon “Emong,” with sustained network restoration and critical aid efforts now in motion across the hardest-hit areas of Northern Luzon. As of July 28, 127 municipalities out of 135 affected by the typhoon have been fully restored and 100% operational. Restoration efforts are ongoing in the remaining areas specifically in Benguet, La Union, Mountain Province, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, and Pangasinan. For the past few days, strategically located Libreng Tawag, Libreng Charging (LTLC) stations have helped residents reconnect with loved ones and stay informed as recovery efforts continue. These LTLC services were deployed across several hard-hit areas, including Antipolo; Taytay; multiple barangays in Quezon City (Bagong Silangan, Tatalon, Holy Spirit, and Fairview); Valenzuela; Tanza; Imus City; and Gerona. Relief for Over 1,000 Families Globe, through Rise Against Hunger (RAH), Brigadang Ayala and Ayala Foundation Inc. (AFI), has so far supported 1742 families with essential aid. This coordinated relief deployment underscores the company’s commitment to holistic disaster response that extends beyond connectivity to meet basic human needs during times of crisis. “We continue to extend help on all fronts, from reconnecting communities to providing much-needed relief,” said Yoly Crisanto, Globe’s Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer. “In every effort, big or small, we remain committed to showing up for Filipinos with urgency, empathy, and care.” Globe’s efforts are part of its larger, unified disaster resilience framework, built on proactive restoration, immediate relief distribution, and collaboration with national and local partners.  

Gustong ibasura ni Senador Alan Peter Cayetano ang travel tax para gawing mas abot-kaya ang pagbiyahe ng mga Pilipino sa ibang bansa, pagaanin ang kanilang gastos, palakasin ang turismo, at patatagin ang ugnayan ng Pilipinas sa mga bansa sa ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations). “All Filipinos, especially senior citizens and persons with disabilities, must be able to travel freely, without any form of hindrance. This is a right guaranteed by the Constitution,” pahayag ni Cayetano sa explanatory note ng Senate Bill No. 424 nitong July 10, 2025. Unang ipinataw ang travel tax sa bisa ng Presidential Decree No. 1183, na nilagdaan halos 50 taon na ang nakakaraan. Giit ni Cayetano, masyado na itong luma at hindi na akma sa kasalukuyang realidad ng ekonomiya at rehiyon. Sa ilalim ng panukala, hindi na rin sisilingin ng travel tax ang mga kapitbahay nating kasapi sa ASEAN, bilang suporta sa mas matibay na pagtutulungan ng mga naturang bansa. Ayon kay Cayetano, ito ay bilang pagtupad sa nilagdaang ASEAN Tourism Agreement noong 2002, na layong unti-unting alisin ang mga travel tax sa pagitan ng mga kasaping bansa. Binanggit ng senador ang pag-aaral ng isang lokal na airline, kung saan tinatayang maaaring mawalan ang gobyerno ng halos P4 bilyon na kita mula sa travel tax. Gayunman, ang kapalit naman aniya nito ay P299 bilyon na posibleng kitain ng buong ekonomiya ng bansa dahil sa pagdami ng turista at spending. “By abolishing the travel tax, we inch closer towards realizing the freedom of movement that our fundamental law envisions for every citizen,” pahayag ni Cayetano. Giit pa niya, nagawa na rin ito noon sa pamamagitan ng Memorandum Order No. 29 (2023). Epektibo hanggang June 30, 2028, ginawa nitong libre ang travel tax ng mga biyaherong mula sa international airports ng Mindanao at Palawan patungong Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines-East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA). Dagdag ng senador, layunin ng panukala na bawasan ang travel expenses ng karaniwang Pilipino, isang adhikaing isinulong na rin aniya ni dating Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III noong 19th Congress. “It is high time to give travelers a break and allow for tourism to flourish by removing one of the barriers to travel,” pahayag ni Cayetano.

MANILA, Philippines — Following U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Washington, D.C., on July 21, the U.S. Department of State announced at least Php3 billion ($60 million) in foreign assistance funding to support energy, maritime, and economic growth programs in the Philippines. This is the U.S. government’s first announcement of new foreign assistance for any country since the Trump Administration began its review and realignment of foreign assistance in January. As part of this at least Php3-billion initiative, Secretary Rubio also announced that the U.S. Department of State intends to work with the U.S. Congress to allocate Php825 million ($15 million) to catalyze private sector development in the Luzon Economic Corridor.  If approved, this funding will support investments in the areas of transport, logistics, energy, and semiconductors that will help create jobs and drive economic growth in the country. President Marcos’s meetings with U.S. President Donald Trump, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth in Washington, D.C., this week reaffirmed the United States’ ironclad commitment to the U.S.-Philippines Alliance and advanced closer economic ties between the two nations.    

MANILA — The U.S. Peace Corps in the Philippines welcomed the arrival in Manila of 48 American Volunteers and seven short-term Response Volunteers who will serve alongside Filipino partners to support education, youth development, and natural resource management programs in communities across Luzon and the Visayas. The arrival of this latest batch brings the total number of Peace Corps Volunteers currently in the country to 140—the largest cohort serving together in the Philippines since 2020. The 48 new Peace Corps Volunteers will serve host communities for two years, co-teaching English in public elementary and secondary schools, facilitating youth development programs in Department of Social Welfare and Development-accredited organizations and residential shelters, and supporting local governments in establishing marine protected areas and strengthening coastal resource management. Meanwhile, Response Volunteers will carry out specialized, short-term assignments with government agencies and NGOs, typically lasting 7 to 12 months.  These professionals bring their expertise to support high-impact projects in disaster risk reduction, solid waste management, and education. The Volunteers will be assigned in the following provinces: Benguet, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Bataan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales, Batangas, Oriental Mindoro, Camarines Sur, Aklan, Antique, Guimaras, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Bohol, Cebu, and Leyte.  They will undertake 11 weeks of language, technical, and cultural training prior to deployment. “I am pleased to welcome our newest Volunteers to the Philippines.  Their joint arrival symbolizes our renewed momentum since the pandemic and reflects our deepening collaboration with local partner institutions and Filipino communities,” said Peace Corps Philippines Country Director Marguerite Roy.  “I look forward to seeing how each Volunteer will build meaningful relationships and contribute to community-led initiatives throughout their service.” For his part, Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency Executive Director Donald James Gawe expressed confidence that the new American Volunteers will “continue to serve as builders of hope and catalysts of change.”  “Thank you for choosing the Philippines for your Volunteer work.  I wish you success and trust that your batch will have a meaningful volunteering experience and reach a 100% completion rate,” he said Aged between 22 and 67, the newly arrived American Volunteers represent the 282nd batch of Peace Corps Volunteers and 55th batch of Response Volunteers to be deployed upon the invitation of the Philippine government. Together, they bring diverse experiences, technical skills, and a shared commitment to learn about the Philippines, contribute to locally-led development efforts, and create a positive impact in the lives of Filipinos. The Philippines is the second oldest U.S. Peace Corps program in the world.  Since 1961, more than 9,500 Americans have served alongside Filipino community members in support of government and community development priorities.          

For the fifteenth consecutive year, the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) has received an “unqualified or unmodified opinion,” the highest audit rating from the Commission on Audit (COA), for its 2024 financial statement. This serves as a testament to the organization’s commitment to sound, transparent and prudent utilization of public resources for the benefit of Filipinos. In accordance with the International Public Sector Accounting Standards, state auditors issue an “unqualified or unmodified opinion” when they conclude that financial statements are “free from material misstatements,” which could arise from either fraud or error. “Getting the most favorable audit opinion for 15 consecutive years now is a testament that BCDA is serious in ensuring utmost transparency and accountability in our operations, especially in the management of public resources,” said BCDA President and CEO Joshua M. Bingcang. BCDA has been consistently receiving an unqualified  opinion from COA since 2010 as its financial statements were deemed to “present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position” of the state-run firm, and its financial performance and cash flows “in accordance with state accounting principles generally accepted in the Philippines.” “These recognitions will not be possible without the hard work of the men and women of BCDA in ensuring that the public funds and resources are properly utilized. May we continue to serve our countrymen with unyielding and untainted dedication,” said Engr. Bingcang. Under Republic Act No. 7227, the BCDA is mandated to transform former military camps into centers of growth. Revenues are generated through land disposition, lease, joint ventures, and concession fees. A portion of these funds is remitted to the Bureau of the Treasury as dividends and contributions to the Armed Forces of the Philippines for its Modernization Program and other beneficiary agencies. In 2024, the BCDA generated Php22.1 billion in gross revenues, triple the Php7.3 billion posted in 2023. Its strong financial position has allowed it to remit a record-high amount of Php5.3 billion as of July 2025, consisting of Php2.2 billion in dividends, and Php3.1 billion in contributions to beneficiary agencies, including the Armed Forces of the Philippines.