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YouTube #1 in Marketing ROI, Beats Other Platforms in SEA

The numbers are in: in 2025, viewers rank YouTube as the number one platform for streaming video content, reaching more consumers on a daily basis than all competitors including TikTok and Meta, according to new Kantar research shared at YouTube’s annual YouTube Works Awards. The awards served as a powerful showcase of the platform's unparalleled reach and its growing ecosystem of creators and communities. The winning campaigns from this year’s Southeast Asia YouTube Works Awards highlighted how brands are leveraging YouTube to achieve real, measurable business impact and high return on investment (ROI). When it comes to business results, YouTube consistently delivers. According to the consulting firm Analytic Edge, across markets like Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam, YouTube drives more than 2X the ROI of linear TV – specifically 4.1X in Indonesia, 2.9X in Thailand and 2.3X in Vietnam. It also outperforms other social platforms like TikTok and Meta – delivering 1.5X in Indonesia, 1.

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AUB, Singlife Launch Digital Insurance

Asia United Bank (AUB) has partnered with leading digital insurer Singlife Philippines to enable its e-wallet applications to bring the benefits of microinsurance to millions of Filipinos. Called the Singlife Insurance Microsite, the fully digital insurance platform allows customers to explore, purchase, and manage life insurance products directly through AUB’s e-wallet ecosystem, HelloMoney and Hello Pag-IBIG. Designed to simplify processes and provide a seamless customer experience, this innovation makes it easier for HelloMoney users to get insurance coverage without the need for tedious paperwork and face-to-face transactions. “Our mission has always been to empower Filipinos with innovative and accessible financial solutions,” said AUB president Manuel A. Gomez. “By partnering with Singlife Philippines, we are expanding the value we deliver to customers, helping them not only spend, save, and pay conveniently, but also secure their future through affordable and easy-to-access pr

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Last Call, Future Heroes: Submit Entries for Samsung’s Solve For Tomorrow 2025 by October 26

The final countdown has begun as the deadline for Samsung Philippines’ Solve for Tomorrow is fast approaching! For over 15 years, Samsung’s Solve for Tomorrow has empowered over 2.8 million students across 68 countries to innovate with purpose, generating over 400,000 ideas and championing real-world change through science and technology. The nationwide innovation challenge is once again rallying young minds to transform big ideas into tangible solutions that can change communities — and possibly, the world. With more than ₱2 million worth of prizes at stake, Samsung’s Solve for Tomorrow competition continues to inspire students to use science, technology, and creativity as tools for real-world impact. The competition is open to students from Grades 8 to 10 enrolled in government-managed science high schools across the country. Participants are encouraged to form teams of up to four (4) members, guided by one (1) teacher adviser. Together, they must identify pressing issues within t

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Equipping the Future: TCL Rolls Out Skills Training Program for TESDA Trainees

TCL, the No. 1 brand in global air conditioner sales and a Triple Global Top 1 TV brand, as well as the No. 1 Panel TV brand in the Philippines, has officially launched its inaugural Air Conditioning Training Program in partnership with TESDA Regional Training Center-NCR (RTC-NCR). This landmark collaboration reflects TCL Philippines’ strong commitment to developing a highly skilled technical workforce. The newly inaugurated TCL–TESDA Center in Taguig City will serve as a training hub where trainees can gain hands-on experience and industry-ready expertise in air conditioning technology, thereby strengthening the local talent pool and driving long-term workforce productivity. This training fulfills TCL's commitment to empowering aspiring Filipino technicians by providing them with essential, hands-on training using industry-standard equipment. This focus on real-world skills ensures graduates are fully job-ready, thereby boosting both individual employability and long-term sector prod

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Shepherd’s Ridge Mountain Resort: A Sustainable Escape in the North of Laguna

Whenever “Santa Maria” is mentioned, most people think of the municipality in Bulacan. However, did you know there is another Santa Maria—this one in northern Laguna? In the southern part of this municipality lies a sanctuary where people and nature harmoniously connect: Shepherd’s Ridge Mountain Resort. Nestled in a serene mountain forest, Shepherd’s Ridge was initially conceived as an exclusive family vacation retreat during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to owner and general manager Vinia Abragan. “We secured the property in 2020 and settled in 2021. We had some visitors, and my daughter-in-law, who is an architect, came up with the idea to build some structures here,” she said. Since then, nearly one hectare of the 3.2-hectare property has been developed, blending seamlessly with the lush greenery and rugged terrain. Accommodations include A-houses, tiki houses, cabins, and villas crafted from indigenous materials such as bamboo. At one of the resort’s highest po

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Powerhouse Tools Celebrates 15 Years of Empowering Filipino Welding Excellence Through New Technology

Powerhouse Tools, a leading name in hardware supplies in the Philippines, celebrates 15 years in the industry by launching advanced technology and empowering Filipinos in their craft with the help of partner institutions, the Wood Academy and the TESDA-accredited Power Skills Technical Center (PSTC). The brand’s new industry-leading welding machines, the MIGTECH 3-in-1 inverter and the Turbomaxx Plus MMA inverter, launch this November. Designed for durability and versatility, both promise to meet the evolving needs of professionals and learners alike. The MIGTECH 3-in-1 combines MIG, MMA, and TIG welding capabilities, operates at 200A-300A, and works with flux-cored wire. Meanwhile, the Turbomaxx Plus MMA inverter features IGBT technology and a digital control panel, and delivers 200A-550A power for electrode welding in construction and fabrication work. “Powerhouse Tools is always on the lookout for cutting-edge technology and innovation that serves our local professionals. We see

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Labrador, Open to House Nuclear Energy facility—Cong. Mark Cojuangco says

Pangasinan 2nd District Representative Mark Cojuangco, a staunch advocate of nuclear energy and principal author of the Philippine Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (PhilAtom) Bill, spearheaded a townhall meeting in the Municipality of Labrador, Pangasinan to open public dialogue on nuclear power as a solution to the country’s high electricity costs and as a pathway to the town’s economic development. The townhall, held with the participation of the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) Director Dr. Carlo Arcilla and attended by local government officials and residents of Labrador, placed nuclear energy at the center of discussions about sustainable growth. The gathering also underscored Labrador’s potential to become a host site for the country’s first modern nuclear power plant. For Cojuangco, Labrador’s strategic location along Lingayen Gulf and the openness of its people make it a strong candidate for nuclear development. More importantly, he said, the benefits to the tow

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Introducing Kaspersky Next XDR Optimum: Cutting-Edge Cybersecurity Designed for Medium-Sized Businesses

Kaspersky is strengthening its flagship product line, Kaspersky Next, with two new innovative solutions: Kaspersky Next XDR Optimum and Kaspersky Next MXDR Optimum, designed specifically for small and mid-sized businesses. These products offer powerful protection, automated response capabilities, easy deployment, and managed security, enabling organizations to effectively combat modern threats and minimize risks without stretching their existing resources. As cyber threats grow increasingly complex and costly, mid-sized businesses find themselves facing sophisticated attacks that exploit legitimate tools and use advanced tactics to evade detection. At the same time, limited budgets and a shortage of skilled cybersecurity personnel make it difficult to deploy and manage advanced protective measures. To help these businesses protect themselves effectively without breaking the bank, Kaspersky has developed easy-to-use and highly effective solutions: Kaspersky Next XDR Optimum and Kaspers

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Cebuana Lhuillier’s DRF 2025 Discusses “Big Wave”; Calls for Unified Action Toward a #ResilientPilipinas

Cebuana Lhuillier Foundation, Inc. (CLFI), the corporate social responsibility arm of Cebuana Lhuillier, once again brought disaster preparedness to the forefront through the Disaster Resilience Forum (DRF) 2025. With the theme “#ResilientPilipinas, #LahatHandaAtLigtas: A Vision Forged by Action, Fueled by Collaboration,” this year’s forum served as a national platform to elevate awareness, shape policy dialogue, and mobilize collective action for a more resilient Philippines. The introduction of the “Big Wave” framework is CLFI’s bold move to spotlight emerging threats such as storm surges, sea-level rise, and Manila Trench tsunamis. These hazards, often overshadowed by the “Big One,” now demand equal urgency and coordinated response. Through this initiative, CLFI reaffirmed its commitment to empowering communities and driving proactive preparedness. At the helm of this advocacy is Jean Henri Lhuillier, President and CEO of Cebuana Lhuillier, emphasized the critical role of barangay

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From Kapitbahays to Kapitbuhays: How Profriends Builds Real, Sustainable Communities with Care

What defines an ideal home today? For many, it begins with a well-built structure that offers comfort, space, and security. A house should provide reliable shelter and serve as a safe haven for the family. Yet for a growing number of families, the concept of an ideal home goes beyond sturdy walls and spacious interiors. People are now looking at the bigger picture, where a home is not just a dwelling but part of a community that supports everyday needs and aspirations. An ideal community is one where kapitbahays become more than just neighbors—they become kapitbuhays, neighbors who support each other like family. At the heart of Property Company of Friends, Inc. (Profriends) is this vision: turning everyday neighborhoods into thriving communities where families do not just reside, but flourish. Thoughtful planning, quality housing, accessible amenities, and community programs all work together to foster meaningful connections, convenience, and shared experiences. This vision is refle

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