A Closer Look at The Manila Hotel Guest Experience

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The Manila Hotel, the Grand Dame of the Philippines, continues to set the standard for luxury by blending its storied past with thoughtful, modern comforts—offering guests an experience that is memorable, welcoming, and distinctly special.

A New Layer of Elegance

In its commitment to preserving timeless elegance, The Manila Hotel has unveiled new carpeting throughout the Main Building. The refreshed look complements the hotel’s classic aesthetic while creating plush, revitalized ambiance. The result is a softer, more inviting atmosphere, one that makes every walk through the halls and into the guest rooms feel relaxed and unhurried.

A Stay That Comes Fully Stocked

Luxury at The Manila Hotel is felt in the little details. Guests booking the best available rate (BAR) directly in the website or via hotel reservations officers will find a fully stocked complimentary mini bar in their room, replenished daily. This simple yet indulgent touch turns every stay into a personal retreat, setting the tone for a visit that feels like home.

Special Discount for In-House Guests

True to its legacy of hospitality, all checked-in guests enjoy 20% off across most of the hotel’s celebrated dining outlets and The Manila Hotel Spa. From the refined elegance of the Champagne Room and the traditional Chinese flavors of Red Jade, to the renowned buffet at Café Ilang-Ilang, as well as relaxed moments at the Lobby Lounge, Tap Room, and Pool Bar, guests can savor every dining experience at added value. 

The same discount extends to the Spa, where guests can escape the city’s hustle and unwind in tranquility.

Stress-Free Daily Transfers

Understanding that Metro Manila’s vibrancy also lies beyond its grand doors, the hotel offers complimentary daily scheduled transfers to SM Mall of Asia and Robinson’s Place Manila, providing access for those seeking retail, entertainment, or a leisurely day out.

Culinary Fun for Junior Guests

For families, the hotel continues to be a haven for shared experiences. Every Sunday, Café Ilang-Ilang comes alive as a playful kitchen for little chefs. Children aged 5 to 12 can join the complimentary Kiddie Culinary classes, where they can try their hand at pizza making or cupcake decorating guided by the hotel’s skilled chefs. This delightful experience is available to junior guests who avail the Sunday lunch buffet at Café Ilang-Ilang, ensuring fun for the kids while parents savor the feast.

“At The Manila Hotel, we aim to provide more than just a room, we offer a legacy of service and a gateway to the best of Filipino hospitality. We invite our guests to fully immerse themselves in the luxury, comfort, and thoughtful touches that make their stay with us unforgettable,” shares Marvin Kim Tan, vice president for sales and marketing of The Manila Hotel.

For inquiries and reservations, please call +632 8527 0011 or +632 85301 5500, email info@themanilahotel.com, or visit www.manila-hotel.com.ph.

Never Bitin! Unli Success with PLDT Home Fiber Prepaid

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Managing internet usage often means balancing data limits with a daily budget. PLDT Home Fiber Prepaid’s new video campaign brings to life a reality that most families deal with and how affordable and unlimited fiber can offer a practical option for home connectivity.

PLDT Home Fiber Prepaid’s latest video dubbed “Bitin” reflects a common reality for many Filipino households who rely on volume-capped data for home use. Whether it’s learning new skills, watching online content, or livestreaming from home, PLDT Home Fiber Prepaid highlights in the video how unlimited fiber can remove everyday limits and enable success at home.

PLDT Home Fiber Prepaid lets you enjoy unlimited and reliable internet that’s ideal for multiple device and household use. Because it runs on fiber, the connection is built for shared household activity, supporting multiple devices at once, even for heavy bandwidth activities such as video calls, online classes, streaming, and uploading large files or content.

PLDT Home Fiber Prepaid also offers budget flexibility with no monthly bills or long-term lock-in contracts, so users may opt to load only when they need to. In practical terms, a 30-day unlimited fiber load works out to under P23.30 a day, a cost level comparable to what many households already budget for recurring data but applied to a dedicated home connection.

For ₱999, PLDT Home Fiber Prepaid comes with a device and 30 days of free unlimited fiber with speeds of up to 50 Mbps. Flexible loading options are available at ₱50 for one day, ₱199 for seven days, ₱399 for 15 days, and ₱699 for 30 days. Reloading is easy and accessible via the PLDT Home website, Maya, GCash, SM, and Smart loading partners nationwide.

PLDT Home Fiber Prepaid reinforces a simple message: home internet should keep up with everyday life—without limits, without pressure, and without surprises.

Families never have to deal with “bitin” moments at home because PLDT Home Fiber Prepaid delivers unlimited fiber internet with flexible loading solutions.

Watch the latest video here and learn more about PLDT Home Fiber Prepaid at https://pldthome.com/fiberprepaid.

Mynt powers next chapter of GCash: unlocking world-class innovations, advancing financial access

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Mynt, the parent company of GCash, continues to grow from strength to strength as it pushes for more world-class innovations on payments, lending, and other financial services.

A street food vendor seamlessly accepting digital payments through GCash

The company has further built on the success of its core payments and lending businesses which delivered healthy year-on-year growth in 2025. Mynt’s attributable equity earnings to Globe reached PHP 6.1 billion (USD 103.7 million) in 2025, higher by 64% year-on-year.

“Our growth momentum continues as digital finance becomes more embedded in daily life,” said Martha Sazon, president and CEO of Mynt. “We are doubling down on expanding financial access to the masses through everyday payments, fair lending, and inclusive wealth and insurance products”

Pioneering next-gen, inclusive payments for everyday Filipinos

In 2025, GCash mobile wallet operator G-Xchange, Inc. (GXI), further expanded financial access by partnering with the Philippine government in revolutionizing payments in the country's transport sector—starting with Metro Manila’s major rail and bus systems, which can now accept card, QR, and NFC payments.

This was further enabled by the launch of Tap to Pay, a next-generation NFC solution enabling secure, contactless payments across 150 million merchants worldwide. The company also accelerated its expansion into underserved segments, with 90% of users from lower socio-economic segments and 78% from outside Metro Manila.

Robust growth in fair and inclusive lending

Fuse Financing, the lending arm of Mynt, has also reached significant milestones in 2025 as it disbursed loans worth PHP 362 billion (USD 6.16 billion) life-to-date, a substantial 65% increase from 2024. This growth was driven by over 10.5 million unique borrowers, and GScore, its proprietary trust scoring system.

Fuse has also partnered with the Asian Development Bank for a PHP 1.75 billion loan (USD 30 million) to accelerate credit access to MSMEs—marking a landmark partnership in the ASEAN between ADB and a fintech company.

Unlocking wealth management and affordable insurance for all

GCash has significantly boosted its wealth portfolio, with its investment platform, GStocks Ph, serving 1.7 million registered users in 2025, a 65% increase year-on-year. It has also introduced its IPO Subscription feature, which enabled thousands to participate in a recent Philippine IPO, with orders via GStocks oversubscribed by over 200% during the sale period.

Through GInsure, GCash further expanded access to affordable insurance for millions of Filipinos — with 132.6 million policies sold life-to-date in 2025, nearly triple the previous year’s level. This growth was supported by a 45% increase in GInsure users to 20.6 million.

Deepening financial access for all Filipinos

GCash has also been doubling down its support for entrepreneurs in 2025 with the launch of the GCash Pera Outlet Plus App, making it easier for nano-merchants to access digital services, alongside GCash PocketPay, transforming smartphones into point-of-sale (POS) devices for card payments. The company also made receiving international remittances from the United States faster and easier through its Virtual US Account.

Underpinned by its growth and inclusive fintech innovations, GCash has solidified itself as the #1 Finance App in the Philippines by monthly active users, according to Sensor Tower data as of December 2025.

“Across our various businesses, we strive to achieve meaningful impact, aimed at Making Filipinos’ Everyday Lives Better and accelerating financial inclusion for all,” said Sazon.

Globe Redefines Connectivity Beyond Speed at The Blueprint Q1 2026

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Globe Telecom opened the year with a bold message at its flagship quarterly media event. The Blueprint by Globe where connectivity is no longer about speed, but about consistent, reliable service, affordability, and easy access.

Carl Cruz, President and CEO of Globe, delivers his remarks during the Q1 2026 edition of The Blue Print by Globe, emphasizing Globe’s vision of “Every Filipino Connected” as a fifth essential utility, underscoring technology and innovation as a bridge to opportunity, resilience, and inclusive growth.

Held at The Globe Tower, the event showcased how Globe is strengthening the way Filipinos live, work, and connect by treating internet service as a non‑negotiable lifeline. With the theme “Every Filipino Connected,” Globe unveiled innovations and milestones across its portfolio, underscoring its mission to ensure that every Filipino partakes in the benefits of the digital economy.

Among the highlights was Globe’s pioneering partnership with Starlink’s Direct‑to‑Cell satellite technology. Following the live pilot trial, Globe and Starlink are preparing to expand testing across additional locations and operational scenarios.

Globe also celebrated its recognition by Ookla® as the country’s most reliable mobile and broadband network, with consistency scores that set new benchmarks for the industry. This achievement reinforces Globe’s commitment to deliver “Connectivity You Can Count On”, “Connectivity for Every Filipino”, and “Experience Globe Connectivity”, reflecting Globe’s three pillars for 2026.

“This recognition affirms that Globe’s investments are delivering real benefits for our customers, reliable connectivity they can count on every day for work, learning, and commerce. Consistency is more than a benchmark; it is the backbone of a digital economy where MSMEs thrive, families stay connected, and communities build resilience. By delivering quality of experience at scale, Globe empowers lives and contributes to nation‑building, making connectivity a driver of inclusive growth for the Philippines,” says Roche Vandenberghe, Chief Marketing Officer at Globe.

Beyond groundbreaking network innovations, The Blue Print by Globe also highlighted a suite of customer-centric, business-focused, and community-based initiatives designed to enrich everyday experiences and empower progress.

Empowering Business through AI and Cloud Services

Globe Business is empowering enterprises of all sizes with the country’s first fully managed, enterprise‑grade data streaming platform in partnership with Confluent, alongside the Globe Omnichannel Cloud Contact Center (GOCCC) with Call Center Studio, innovations that democratize real‑time intelligence and AI‑powered customer engagement by removing CAPEX barriers and delivering Google‑cloud hosted infrastructure.

Home AI: Internet as a Modern Utility

Globe At Home is transforming fiber connectivity into an intelligent utility, as essential as water and electricity. Through its Built‑in Broadband initiative, fiber ports are integrated directly into new property developments, complemented by AI‑driven innovation and a 24‑hour Care Squad guaranteed to deliver “Digital Peace of Mind” for Filipino homes.

The Perfect Pair: Mobile + Home Advantage

With Globe Mobile and Globe At Home Advantage, customers enjoy seamless connectivity whether at home or on the go. Pairing GFiber Postpaid with Globe Mobile Postpaid unlocks up to ₱500 in monthly savings for a year, while Prepaid and TM subscribers gain exclusive promos and free gigabytes, making everyday connectivity simpler and more rewarding.

TM Celebrates 25 Years of Connectivity

TM marks its 25th anniversary as a tribute to millions of ka‑TMs nationwide. With affordable and reliable connectivity, exciting rewards, anniversary deals, and on‑ground caravans, TM continues to bring tuwa and tatag to communities, true to its diskarte spirit.

Lifestyle Innovation with Platinum GPlan

Globe expands its premium portfolio with the Platinum GPlan and PAL Mabuhay Miles promo, the first in the market to reward customers with airline miles alongside connectivity benefits.

GoGIVE: Social Impact Through Connectivity

Globe Prepaid users generated over 4 billion hearts, and over 840 million has been donated, via the GlobeOne app, converted into support for advocacies that surpassed targets. Partnering with Ayala Foundation, Rise Against Hunger Philippines, Pawssion Project, and the Philippine Eagle Foundation, GoGIVE also powers relief efforts during calamities, reinforcing Globe’s role in nation‑building and resilience.

“Connectivity today is a lifeline,” said Globe’s Chief Commercial Officer Daruis Delgado. “We want to ensure every Filipino, whether in bustling cities or the most remote barangays, has access to reliable and consistent digital services. More than speed, we are building trust, inclusivity, and resilience into the very fabric of our network.

With The Blueprint by Globe, the company continues to shape the foundation of a digital nation, one where connectivity fuels opportunity, resilience, and sustainable growth for all.

For more information about Globe, visit www.globe.com.ph.

 

Clara Benin embraces the quiet power of “muscle memory,” her first 2026 single

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The indie folk favorite drops a track that traces how love lingers in thoughts, gestures, and reflexes

After staging a two-night concert honoring the tenth anniversary of her well-received records, Human Eyes and Riverchild, Clara Benin marks the start of 2026 with the release of her new single, ‘muscle memory,’ out today via Sony Music Entertainment.

Eschewing the pressures of virality in favor of pure, authentic storytelling, “muscle memory” packs a punch in its quiet moments and restraint. The song deals with the lingering presence of lost love: how someone you try so hard to avoid continues to linger in your thoughts, habits, and little reflexes long after the heartbreak.

As Benin sums it up, “Like muscle memory, some people stay with you without you choosing to remember.”

She adds, “I liked the idea of muscle memory and started thinking about how it feels a lot like heartbreak — how your body and mind remember someone even when you’re trying to move on.”

According to Clara Benin, the song was conceived on a random night, with her sketching out a chorus on her guitar. Months later, during a songwriting session with the DEL Brothers in Sydney, she shared a voice note containing the early version. The song quickly took shape and was completed in four hours.

The ‘small town’ singer-songwriter will release her new song, “the one to blame,” next month in anticipation of her upcoming EP, slated for release later this year. “Most of the songs I’ve written live in heartbreak, longing, or existential spirals, but ‘the one to blame’ is me finally writing about actually letting someone in,” Benin shares. “It’s warm, cozy, a little dramatic, a little obsessive, and very self-aware.”

To mark the live debut of the new song, Clara Benin will perform “the one to blame” at the Valentine’s Day show at Eastwood City on February 14, 2026.

“Since it’s Valentine’s Day, I want to make it extra special and perform ‘the one to blame’ live for the very first time,” says Benin. “I’m excited to share this love song with everyone.”

Clara Benin’s “muscle memory” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment.

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