Pathways to Excellence: EHEF Philippines 2025 gathers more than 3,800 attendees

Top shot of the booth area for EHEF 2025 in Robinsons Manila.

The European Higher Education Fair (EHEF) 2025 concluded its two-day onsite event at the Robinsons Manila and its online edition gathering more than 3,800 students, university officials, faculty members, and education professionals. 

“The EHEF provides a valuable platform for Filipino students to explore world-class education opportunities in the EU and build bridges between the Philippines and the EU. We are proud to see such strong participation at this year’s event,” said European Union Ambassador H.E. Massimo Santoro. 

Acclaimed author Segundo Matias Jr. to release sequel to Batang Poz

Stigma: Batang Poz 2 builds on the success of its first novel and iWant adaptation, delivering a gripping look into the lives of poz teens in ultra-conservative Philippines

Palanca Award-winning and best-selling author Segundo Matias Jr. has released his newest work, Stigma: Batang Poz 2, the highly anticipated sequel to his groundbreaking 2018 novel, Mga Batang Poz. His latest release deepens the conversation about HIV awareness and the stigma still faced by young Filipinos living with the virus.

In Stigma: Batang Poz 2, fifteen-year-old Melody joins a group chat called “Pete’s Corner,” a digital refuge for young people like her, teenagers living with HIV. As her pregnancy becomes more visible, she must face the weight of stigma while finding strength in the stories of other poz youth, including the familiar characters from the first book. The follow-up explores survival, solidarity, connection, and the search for hope in the midst of the HIV-AIDS crisis in the Philippines.

PREMIERE Condoms Sets Guinness World Record on World AIDS Day

Thousands gathered at the UP Sunken Garden on World AIDS Day as PREMIERE Condoms, in partnership with Watsons, successfully achieved a Guinness World Records title for the Largest Condom Donation in One Hour during its Protected & Proud event. 

The record-breaking attempt was officially confirmed onstage by a Guinness World Records adjudicator as packets of donated condoms were tallied and verified before a cheering crowd. 

HONOR Philippines Continues to Expand Operations in Manila, Opens Bigger New Headquarters

HONOR Fam is getting bigger! 

Global AI device ecosystem company HONOR Philippines secured another major milestone as it opened its larger new headquarters in Manila. The tech giant has shown rapid growth over the past three years, and with its successful campaigns, it’s no surprise that it has expanded so quickly. 

“We’re very excited to share that we’re expanding our operations in the Philippines. As our team and projects continue to grow, this upgrade will give us the room we need for better service and even bigger collaborations,” said Stephen Cheng, Vice President of HONOR Philippines. 

Palawan for Business by Palawan Group of Companies Wins at the MarkeTech Asia Pacific Awards for Innovative Government and Community Impact

Palawan Group received international recognition for its impactful B2B partnership with government agencies, winning Silver at the NEXT Awards APAC 2025.

The Palawan Group of Companies has earned the Silver Award for Most Innovative B2B Campaign at the prestigious NEXT Awards Asia-Pacific 2025 held on 27 November 2025 at Shangri-La The Fort, Manila. The recognition highlights the company’s partnership with government agencies through its B2B arm, Palawan For Business, to make government aid more accessible to Filipinos in remote and underserved communities. This achievement underscores Palawan Group’s growing role as a trusted private-sector partner in strengthening government disbursement programs and advancing financial inclusion nationwide.

HONOR Strengthens Nationwide Presence, Opens 9 New Stores

HONOR is indeed in a roll with 9 new stores across the country! 

Global AI device ecosystem company HONOR Philippines continued its expansion with nine new stores across the country. The three-year-old tech giant has shown one of the most commendable growth trajectories in the industry, as evidenced by its continuous opening of store after store. 

“We are obviously expanding, and we are very proud of it. It has been the vision ever since, and it feels really great to see our dreams come to life. This success is because of our loyal HONOR fans who have supported and believed in us from the moment we stepped foot again in the Philippines,” said Stephen Cheng, Vice President of HONOR Philippines. 

ProtekTODO: Financial Protection Within Reach, Christmas Care You Can Feel

Filipinos are known for their malasakit — always finding ways to care for their loved ones. Amid rising prices, many now turn to practical yet meaningful ways to secure their family’s peace of mind.

Reflecting the values of malasakit and practicality, Palawan ProtekTODO, from your trusted Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala, offers insurance that is designed to be affordable and accessible for the everyday Filipino. Just like everyday essentials available in sachets, ProtekTODO makes financial protection available in small, abot-kaya prices – easy to purchase, easy to understand, and easy to benefit from.

Chief Business Development Officer Lisa Castro-Sabado explained: “ProtekTODO represents more than just affordable insurance — it’s a step toward a future where every Filipino has access to protection that fits their lifestyle and budget. We’re making financial security not a privilege, but a norm for every family, in every community – truly patingi-tingi ang presyo pero todo ang benepisyo (affordable but full of benefits).” 

Signify Philippines embodies Bright Lives, Better World with tree planting activity in Rizal along the Sierra Madre foothills

Trees are a blessing to humankind. They symbolize life and provide sustenance to every human being through their fruits, clean and fresh air, and protection from external harm, such as strong winds and rain. However, the current state of our Philippine forests calls for urgent and widespread reforestation efforts, as recent data shows that forest coverage is now only at a concerning 23% of the total land area, according to a study. 

PCX Celebrates 16 Philippine Companies for 100% Plastic Footprint Recovery

PCX Markets recognized 16 enterprises that have committed to achieving full recovery of their 2025 plastic footprint, setting a strong example for businesses advancing toward a circular economy. In the photo (center) is Ms. Nanette Medved-Po, Founder and Executive Chair of HOPE and PCX, together with representatives from the awardee companies, which include Beko Pilipinas Corporation, Century Pacific Food, Inc., Concepcion Durables, Inc., Concepcion Midea, Inc., Concepcion-Carrier Air Conditioning Company, Concepcion Industrial Corporation - Cortex Technologies Corporation, Domino’s Pizza Philippines, Generation Hope, Inc. (HOPE), General Odyssey, Inc., L’Oréal Philippines Inc., Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation, Monde Nissin Corporation, Mondelez Philippines, Inc., Mr. DIY, The Pacific Meat Company Incorporated, and Wild Flour Bakery + Cafe Corp.

EastWest, foodpanda, and Visa launch a credit card built for food lovers

The new EastWest foodpanda Credit Card, powered by Visa.

EastWest, foodpanda, and Visa jointly introduced their cobranded credit card at a launch event held in Makati City, where they welcomed media friends for a first look at the new product. It is positioned as the Ultimate Foodie Card for food lovers seeking an instantly rewarding experience for everyday cravings.

The EastWest foodpanda Visa Credit Card offers up to 10 percent cashback on foodpanda orders worth up to Php 4,000 (or cash back worth PHp 400) after which, foodpanda orders will continue to earn 3 percent. It also gives 1 percent cash back on all international spend and 0.3 percent on local transactions, with a total monthly cashback cap of Php 1,000 to be credited weekly to the user’s pandapay wallet. These features bring real-time value to one of today’s most popular digital lifestyles.