Respect Starts Young: EastWest Rural Bank Honors Values-Driven Students Nationwide

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Marking its 10th year, the I RESPECT Awards recognize children who practice kindness, empathy, and responsibility in school and community life

During graduation ceremonies nationwide, 83 elementary students received the EastWest Rural Bank I RESPECT Awards and cash incentives in recognition of values-driven leadership

Respect learned early creates a force for good that lasts a lifetime. Guided by this belief, EastWest Rural Bank (EWRB), EastWest Banking Corporation’s rural banking arm, continues its annual I RESPECT Awards campaign—honoring young Filipino students who demonstrate respect for people, the environment, and social, cultural, and spiritual beliefs.

This year, 83 elementary students from regions across the country were recognized during their graduation ceremonies. Each awardee received a cash incentive as part of the recognition.

Now in its 10th year, the I RESPECT Awards celebrate children whose everyday actions reflect empathy, kindness, and responsibility—values observed and affirmed by their teachers. Awardees are recognized not only for academic performance, but also for how they treat others, care for their surroundings, and practice good citizenship in simple, meaningful ways.

Through the campaign, EWRB reinforces its core value of RESPECT and underscores that values-based leadership can begin early. By spotlighting children who choose compassion, inclusion, and integrity, the Bank aims to inspire more young Filipinos to be positive influences in their schools and communities.

“Respect is shaped through example, and these young awardees remind us that values can be lived at any age,” said EWRB President Sheila Marasigan-Bajado. “By recognizing children who choose respect—for people, for culture, and for the environment—we invest in a future led by empathy, responsibility, and shared humanity.”

The I RESPECT Awards campaign is part of EWRB’s broader advocacy for community development, reinforcing the belief that nation-building starts with character—and that when values are nurtured early, their impact can span generations.

Feel the Beat at Discovery Samal This Summer at Love Samal 2026

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Ignite your summer at Discovery Samal as the coast comes alive with the electrifying energy of Love Samal 2026. Centered on May 2, the resort brings together an elevated beachfront celebration designed for guests looking to experience a vibrant island escape in a single, high-energy evening.

Love Samal is Discovery Samal’s signature fusion event where live music meets curated dining and immersive experiences, all set against a stunning coastal backdrop. From sunset to late night, the celebration unfolds seamlessly, capturing the rhythm of the season through sound, flavor, and atmosphere.

Set just a short boat ride from Davao City, Love Samal offers a quick shift from the city’s pace into something more open and celebratory. Guests can arrive in time for dinner, settle into the evening’s entertainment, and stay through the night as the energy builds toward its after-party finale.

Beats by the Beach

One of the standout highlights of Love Samal 2026 is the Love Samal Soirée, happening on May 2 at the Haribar Glamping Area. Running from 6 pm to 11 pm, the evening promises a vibrant mix of live entertainment, from duo singers with reggae to pop and mixed-genre performances, before seamlessly shifting into DJ sets that will keep the energy going through the night. Cultural elements are worked into the program, with drum beaters, fire dancers, and native costume dance performances adding depth and energy to the evening. Interactive experiences such as a photobooth and face painting stations are also available throughout the night.

Dining is offered as part of the experience, with the soirée priced at PHP 2,800 net per person with unlimited drinks from Asia Brewery and Charles & James. This includes access to the evening’s full entertainment lineup, allowing guests to enjoy the program in one seamless setting.

As the evening builds, DJ performances take over, leading into an after-party by the shore that keeps the energy going well into the night.

Nights by the Shore

The beachfront hosts evening soirees that run alongside the main entertainment program. Lounge and seating areas are arranged throughout Haribar Lounge’s space, giving guests options to stay close to the stage or settle into quieter corners of the venue.

A Summer Rhythm at Discovery Samal

With Love Samal 2026, Discovery Samal is capturing that perfect island rhythm where music, great food, and local culture just naturally collide. It’s the kind of festival you can really make your own: swing by for a long, lazy lunch, and stick around as the sunset sets the mood for the evening sets. However you choose to dive in, it’s all about soaking up the best of the shore at your own pace. For inquiries and reservations, visit https://www.discoverysamal.com/offers/love-samal-summer-party, email reservations@discoverysamal.com or call +63 84 308 2998.

vivo V70 FE 200MP camera: Clear even when cropped

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There’s a familiar dilemma in mobile photography: you capture a beautiful scene, only to realize later that the true highlight was just a small detail you didn’t zoom into. With the vivo V70 FE, that worry disappears.

Powered by a 200MP OIS Ultra-Clear Main Camera, the vivo V70 FE lets you capture everything in one shot and refine your composition later, without sacrificing clarity.

The standout advantage of the 200MP camera is its ability to retain sharpness even after heavy cropping. Unlike typical smartphone photos that lose quality when zoomed in, the V70 FE preserves fine details, even at up to 900% enlargement.

This means one photo can become multiple high-quality images. A wide-angle shot can easily transform into a close-up, giving you more creative flexibility without needing to reshoot.

200MP camera benefits in real life

1. High clarity at 900% zoom

The ultra-high-resolution sensor captures intricate details that remain visible even when zoomed in. From textures on flowers to distant architectural elements, images stay sharp and clear.

2. Ultra-clear photo cropping

Take a full-frame shot, then crop freely to find your perfect composition. With 200MP resolution, you can extract multiple angles from a single image - wide, mid, or close-up - without compromising quality.

3. Ultra-clear printing for lasting memories

Photos captured in 200MP can be printed up to four times larger than standard 50MP images while maintaining clarity. This makes them ideal for preserving special moments in high-quality prints.

How to use 200MP mode on the vivo V70 FE

Activating the feature is simple: Photo Mode → Tap the High Resolution icon. For best results, keep these tips in mind:

• Find the right distance. Shoot portraits within around 5 meters and buildings or landscapes at about 20 meters.

• Choose detailed scenes. Include both your subject and surroundings to fully maximize the resolution.

• Use 1x zoom. High Resolution mode works best with the main camera at 1x (23 mm).

Smarter way to capture every moment

The vivo V70 FE’s 200MP camera isn’t just about taking sharper photos; it’s about giving you more freedom. You can shoot without hesitation, knowing you can crop, zoom, and refine your images later while keeping them clear and detailed.

With every shot holding more possibilities, the vivo V70 FE transforms everyday photography into a more flexible, creative, and rewarding experience.

Pre-order the vivo V70 FE now at a starting price of Php 25,999 until April 24 in vivo stores nationwide, with exclusive perks including Php 1,000 discount, a vivo VIP Card, vivo Buds Air3, and a Globe prepaid SIM with one year of unlimited 5G access.

You can also get it on Shopee for as low as Php 22,000 until April 25, 2026. Learn more about the vivo V70 FE by visiting the vivo website.

Jollibee levels up Burger Steak, introduces new Burger Steak Supreme

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Jollibee has upgraded its Burger Steak rice meal and has also introduced a new variant, Burger Steak Supreme, as Filipino families continue to look for meals that are delicious, satisfying and affordable.

The Philippines’ no. 1 fast food chain said the improved Burger Steak now comes with more sauce to enhance flavor and overall experience, while keeping its starting price at ₱70 for a solo order.

“We’re seeing that customers are paying closer attention to taste, how filling a meal is, and price, so we’re giving them a pangmalakasang (power-packed) rice meal,” said Dorothy Ching, vice president for marketing of Jollibee Philippines. “We focused on improving the experience of a familiar product while also introducing a new option for those who want a bigger meal.”

The improvement is supported with materials featuring Joshua Garcia, highlighting the need of Filipinos for meals that can fill their cravings.

Jollibee said the move is part of its effort to respond to changing consumer needs, particularly the demand for meals that combine taste, serving size, and affordability.

The saucier-sarap Burger Steak is available nationwide for dine-in, takeout, drive-thru, and delivery. Meanwhile, customers can enjoy the Burger Steak Supreme in select stores only.

Craving more Jollibee treats and exclusives? Head to www.jollibee.com.ph for the latest updates, order your favorites at https://order.jollibee.com , and follow us on social media for more JOYful surprises!

PLDT Enterprise Bolsters Regional Network Through Partnership with Siquijor Island Cable TV Systems Corp.

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Enabling local providers to deliver dependable connectivity and drive economic growth in the region 

PLDT Enterprise reinforces its regional footprint through its partnership with Siquijor Island Cable TV Systems Corp., supporting island-wide digital services and reliable connectivity for local communities. From left to right: Sarah Jane Hongayo, Relationship Manager, PLDT Enterprise; Ma. Hazel Amoyan, Customer Relationship Management Head – Visayas, PLDT Enterprise; Raul C. Villaver - CEO & President, Siquijor Island Cable TV Systems Corp.; Elvie R. Villaver - Corporate Secretary, Siquijor Island Cable TV Systems Corp.

Siquijor, Philippines — PLDT Enterprise continues to reinforce its regional presence across the Philippines through its long-standing partnership with Siquijor Island Cable TV Systems Corp., supporting the cable operator’s growth and enabling reliable digital services for subscribers across Siquijor Island.

The collaboration highlights how enterprise-grade connectivity can help regional service providers overcome geographic limitations, expand operations, and deliver stable digital services in island communities.

 A Commitment to Supporting Cable Operators Nationwide

PLDT Enterprise remains committed to supporting cable operators and regional connectivity providers across the country. By delivering dedicated internet and Ethernet transport solutions, PLDT Enterprise helps improve network performance, expand service coverage, support digital transformation initiatives, and enable enterprise-grade data transport.

“Through our continued, growing, and evolving partnership with Siquijor Island Cable TV Systems Corp., we demonstrate how PLDT Enterprise supports regional providers with scalable connectivity solutions that enable growth and service reliability,” said Ma. Hazel Amoyan, Customer Relationship Management Head – Visayas, PLDT Enterprise. “We remain committed to helping businesses across the regions operate efficiently and deliver consistent digital services to their communities.”

Representatives from PLDT Enterprise and Siquijor Island Cable TV Systems Corp. strengthen their long-standing partnership to enhance connectivity and digital access across Siquijor Island.

Siquijor Island Cable TV Systems Corp. is a regional cable service provider delivering television and digital connectivity services to residents and businesses throughout Siquijor Island. The company has steadily expanded its subscriber base and infrastructure capabilities through continuous technology upgrades and strategic partnerships.

Addressing Geographic and Operational Challenges

Operating in an island province presents unique connectivity challenges. Limited infrastructure options, complex deployment environments, and increasing subscriber demand required scalable, high-capacity solutions to maintain service quality.

PLDT Enterprise began its partnership with Siquijor Island Cable TV Systems Corp. in 2016 when the company subscribed to an iGate leased line. At the time, connectivity relied on Smart’s Base Transceiver Station (BTS) infrastructure to serve the island location.

 As subscriber demand grew, the partnership evolved. With PLDT’s fiber rollout to Siquijor in 2022, the client gained access to higher-capacity connectivity and improved reliability. Today, Siquijor Island Cable TV Systems Corp. subscribes to iGate Premium service and this year, it successfully deployed a Metro E-Line transport service connecting Siquijor to its mainland content source.

 From Siquijor Island Cable TV Systems Corp.’s Raul Villaver, President and CEO, shared that the collaboration has played a key role in the company’s expansion. “Our partnership with PLDT Enterprise has allowed us to upgrade our infrastructure as our subscriber base continues to grow. With improved capacity and stability, we are better equipped to deliver reliable digital television, broadband, and data services to customers across Siquijor Island.”

Enabling High-Capacity Content Delivery and Operational Continuity

The newly deployed Metro E-Line transport service enables high-capacity content delivery between Siquijor and mainland source infrastructure. This supports seamless transmission of high-bandwidth content such as HD channels, streaming services, and data-intensive applications.

Representatives from PLDT Enterprise and Siquijor Island Cable TV Systems Corp. strengthen their long-standing partnership to enhance connectivity and digital access across Siquijor Island.

The upgraded infrastructure improves network stability and service reliability for subscribers across Siquijor Island while strengthening operational continuity through enterprise-grade infrastructure designed for carrier-level uptime.

With scalable infrastructure in place, Siquijor Island Cable TV Systems Corp. has been able to continuously expand its subscriber base without network performance limitations.

As regional connectivity demands continue to increase, the partnership between PLDT Enterprise and Siquijor Island Cable TV Systems Corp. reflects a shared commitment to resilience, scalability, and long-term growth—strengthening digital access across island communities and reinforcing PLDT Enterprise’s presence across the Philippines.

To learn more about PLDT Enterprise’s solutions, visit [UTM]