Lazada 6.6 Super WOW Sale Delivers Strong Growth as Back-to-School Demand Surges; AI Shapes Shopping

Surging demand for back-to-school essentials drove significant sales growth, while AI-powered features helped shoppers discover deals and make purchases with ease.

Lazada Philippines closed its 6.6 Super WOW Sale with strong, category-led growth, driven in large part by early back-to-school demand and a continued shift in how Filipino consumers shop online toward more intentional, practical, and trust-led purchasing decisions.

The campaign delivered a 260% increase in Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) versus business-as-usual (BAU), reflecting a shift beyond short-term seasonal uplift toward more sustained consumer behavior change. Filipino households are increasingly leveraging major platform events such as 6.6 to prepare for real-life needs, including back-to-school purchases and other practical household planning moments.

SM tapped as first mall operator to roll out DOE’s Oras Natin sa Efficiency (O.N.E.) effort

SM Supermalls and the Department of Energy lead the launch of the O.N.E. (Oras Natin sa Efficiency) campaign at the SM Mall of Asia Globe, promoting collective action for energy efficiency nationwide.

(L-R) Director Patrick T. Aquino, CESO III, Energy Utilization Management Bureau (EUMB), Department of Energy, Mr. Joaquin L. San Agustin, Executive Vice President for Marketing, SM Supermalls, Assistant Secretary Mandy Romero, Department of Energy, Ms. Nicole Cordovez, Binibining Pilipinas Grand International 2016, Secretary Sharon S. Garin, Department of Energy, Honorable Imelda G. Calixto-Rubiano, Pasay City Mayor, Engr. Junias M. Eusebio, Vice President for Mall Operations, SM Supermalls, Undersecretary Mario C. Marasigan, Department of Energy, Ms. Mhicaela "Bella" Belen, and Ms. Pauline Gaston.

SM Supermalls earns global recognition with two Silver wins at the prestigious ICSC MAXI Awards

Sustainability-driven initiatives Art From All and SM Green Movement gain international recognition for community impact and innovation

SM Supermalls continues to bring purpose-driven initiatives to the global stage after earning two Silver Awards at the prestigious ICSC MAXI Awards, one of the world’s most respected recognitions for excellence in marketing and innovation in the retail and shopping industry.

The ICSC MAXI Awards recognized “Art From All: Turning Community Action into Public Art” and “The SM Green Movement: Sustaining Communities Through Responsible Design.”

SM Supermalls’ Art From All initiative was recognized for transforming sustainability into an immersive and participatory mall experience.

The Sandbox Collective Announces Staged Reading Of Duncan Macmillan’s People, Places, And Things In August 2026

Sandbox’s Artistic Director Sab Jose will direct the staged reading

The Sandbox Collective announced a strictly limited staged reading of Duncan Macmillan’s critically acclaimed play, PEOPLE, PLACES, AND THINGS, slated for August 2026. The reading will be helmed by the company's Artistic Director, Sab Jose.

Known for its visceral, unsparing look at addiction, recovery, and the intoxicating allure of escapism, People, Places, and Things centers on an actress whose life has spun wildly out of control. 

The intimate stage reading will bring the raw, electric emotion of Macmillan’s brilliant dialogue to the absolute forefront, guided by Jose-Gregorio’s fresh directorial vision.

Manila Symphony Orchestra Centennial Concert III - LIBERATION: 80 Years of Philippine Republic all set on July 4

Presented by the Manila Symphony Orchestra Foundation, Inc. and Standard Insurance; co-presented by EastWest Bank and PAGCOR in partnership with Bagong Pilipinas, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, and The Metropolitan Theater

In Pursuit of Excellence 

CELEBRATION: The MSO Centennial Season

Concert III - 80 Years of Filipino-American Friendship

July 4, 2026 

Saturday - 7:30 PM

Manila Metropolitan Theater

As part of its Centennial Season, the Manila Symphony Orchestra (MSO) commemorates a landmark event in both Philippine history. Eighty years ago, on July 5, 1946, following the inauguration of the Republic of the Philippines, the MSO presented a Gala Symphony Concert at the Rizal Memorial Stadium as part of the national celebrations marking Philippine independence.

The 9th Eddys salutes movie icons, media achievers

Nominee selection underway as editors' group hold screenings at Luxent Hotel

Four respected figures in Philippine cinema will be honored at the ninth edition of the Society of Philippine Entertainment Editors’ (SPEEd) The Eddys, set for July 5 at the Ceremonial Hall of Newport World Resorts in Pasay City.

Continuing its tradition of recognizing individuals who have made lasting contributions to local filmmaking, The Eddys will confer the 2026 Movie Icon Award on John Arcilla, Edgar Mortiz, Rio Locsin and Janice de Belen. The award recognizes their enduring commitment to their craft and their contributions to raising the standard of Filipino films.

Also to be presented are the Isah V. Red Award, which honors individuals who inspire and assist fellow Filipinos through meaningful initiatives, and the Joe Quirino Award and Manny Pichel Award, which recognize outstanding members of the entertainment media.

This year’s Isah V. Red Award recipients are corporate leader and philanthropist Chaye Cabal Revilla and actor Donny Pangilinan.

Brad Pitt fights to survive the Alaskan wilderness with combat dog Odin in trailer for “HEART OF THE BEAST,” directed by David Ayer. Only in cinemas SEPTEMBER 23

Plus, first look images now available! 

It’s not who you live for… it’s who you’d die for. In the upcoming intense adventure thriller Heart of the Beast, Brad Pitt plays Special Forces officer James Belmont, who, after a harrowing plane crash, finds himself stranded deep in the Alaskan wilderness with no other survivor besides his combat dog, Odin. Together, they are forced into a brutal fight for survival against the elements. From acclaimed filmmaker David Ayer, Heart of the Beast explores the unbreakable bond between a man and his best friend as they face their greatest battle yet. Also starring J.K. Simmons and Anna Lambe, the film opens in Philippine cinemas September 23. 

Watch the trailer: https://youtu.be/09OeZGfS7EI

DDB Group Philippines Rebrands as GGC Group Asia

Gil G. Chua, Group Chairman and CEO, GGC Group Asia (formerly DDB Group Philippines)

Advertising agency powerhouse DDB Group Philippines has announced its rebranding as “GGC Group Asia,” marking its evolution into an independent creative force. 

The move follows the decision of Omnicom Group, the holding company of marketing communications network DDB Worldwide, to retire the DDB brand globally by the end of the first half of 2026, following its acquisition of Interpublic Group in November last year.

Established in 1992 through a groundbreaking partnership between New York-based DDB Worldwide and pioneering Filipino-owned agency Advertising Marketing and Associates (AMA), DDB Group Philippines had served as the local office of the DDB network in the country for more than three decades until the brand’s dissolution this year.

As GGC Group Asia, the company will continue to collaborate with Omnicom Group as needed, ensuring clients’ continued access to global marketing communications tools and resources.

Sienna Spiro Announces “My House Tour” Coming To Manila On 9 January 2027

Tickets On-Sale Next Week

Debut Album Visitor Out July 3 On Capitol Records

All Three Singles So Far Have Charted On The Billboard Hot 100:

"Die On This Hill", "The Visitor", And "You Stole The Show"

Breaking News – Today, show-stopping London-born singer and songwriter SIENNA SPIRO announces the “My House” tour, including an extensive North American fall run followed by dates in Asia, Australia, New Zealand, UK and Europe. MANILA will be on Saturday, January 9, 2027 at the New Frontier Theater. Presented by Wilbros Live. Ticket pre-sales begin Tuesday, June 16 at 10AM, while general on-sale starts Thursday, June 18 at 10AM via TicketNet.com.ph and TicketNet outlets nationwide.

TCL Introduces the A400 Series for Design-Driven Home Entertainment

For those seeking a television that seamlessly complements an artful aesthetic, TCL Electronics has delivered the ultimate solution. As the No. 1 Panel TV brand in the Philippines and a global leader in both televisions and air conditioners, TCL finally introduces the TCL A400 Series. Designed for modern Filipino homes, this premium lifestyle TV masterfully blends elegant, gallery-like aesthetics with deeply immersive entertainment.