SM Investments makes case for long-term thinking amid rapid change

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SM Investments Corporation, the parent company of the SM Group, underscored the need for businesses to look beyond short-term economic cycles and identify the changes that matter at the 24th MAP International CEO Conference, held under the theme “In the Age of Flux: Scaling the Next Inflection Points.”

The conference examined how companies are responding to rapid change, from artificial intelligence to shifting consumer demand, and how leaders can distinguish lasting shifts from market noise.

In his welcome address, SM Investments President and Chief Executive Officer Frederic C. DyBuncio said nearly seven decades of operating in the Philippines have taught the group to take a long-term view.

“At SM, nearly seven decades in the Philippines have taught us to look beyond the cycle. We have seen periods of uncertainty, disruption and rapid change. Through them, one thing has remained constant: the long-term potential of the Philippines and the aspirations of the Filipino people,” Mr. DyBuncio said.

He pointed to the growth of regional markets as one change creating opportunities for businesses.

“That potential is increasingly visible beyond Metro Manila. As incomes rise and aspirations evolve, opportunities are opening across the regions. For businesses, this means looking beyond where growth has traditionally been concentrated and investing where the next generation of demand is emerging,” he said.

Discussions at the conference also explored how technology is changing the way companies understand and respond to change. Artificial intelligence and data can help businesses identify patterns more quickly, but more information does not necessarily make the decisions for them. Leaders still have to decide what matters, where to invest and when to act.

Across the SM Group, this long-term approach can be seen in the continued growth of its retail, banking, property and portfolio businesses, including their expansion beyond traditional economic centers. These businesses fund their own growth, allowing SM Investments as the parent company to benefit from their growth and the dividends they generate.

This structure gives SM Investments a distinctive position as a parent company, with established businesses that can invest and grow independently while contributing dividends to the parent over time.

The underlying approach remains straightforward: understand where demand is going, invest with discipline and stay close to the customers the businesses serve.

GCash lending arm Fuse marks 10 years of safe, accessible borrowing for Filipinos

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As predatory lending persists in the Philippines, Fuse Financing, Inc., the lending arm of GCash, continues to provide Filipinos with safe, transparent, and accessible borrowing options with fair terms

Barriers to formal credit, including a lack of valid IDs, formal documentation, and collateral, continue to restrict millions of Filipinos from securing fair and vital financial support. According to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), traditional financial institutions rely heavily on these requirements to evaluate creditworthiness, leaving only 16% of Filipino adults able to secure formal loans from banks and other regulated lenders. Rising financial pressure drives vulnerable Filipinos toward informal, predatory lenders to make ends meet, trapping them in cycles of extreme interest rates and abusive collection practices. Addressing these remains critical to driving broader financial inclusion across the country.

Celebrating a decade of helping Filipinos build financial security, Fuse Financing has transformed the country's lending landscape by giving millions of underserved borrowers access to dignified lending. By leveraging technology and innovation, Fuse continues to bridge the credit gap through accessible loan products such as GLoan, GCredit, and GGives that offer transparent and fair terms, without the need for collateral.

Over the past 10 years, Fuse has helped everyday Filipinos to navigate emergencies and fuel personal growth.

Supplementing daily budget

Personal loans are the most common lifeline for Filipino borrowers, who turn to them mainly to manage everyday living costs, medical expenses, and schooling fees, according to the BSP.. Such is the case for 54-year-old Marissa of Tondo, Manila and 48-year-old Irene of Alaminos, Pangasinan.

Marissa, a former house help, is grateful that borrowing money can now be done in a few taps on her phone. "Salamat sa GCash at may GLoan dahil kapag kailangan namin ng dagdag na pera, may mahihiraman kami agad. Malaking tulong ito sa pang-araw-araw, lalo na sa pambili ng pagkain, pambayad ng bills, at iba pang kailangan ng pamilya." she said. (“I’m thankful for GCash because GLoan is a great help to us whenever we need extra money. I’ve also used it before for our everyday needs, such as buying food and paying bills. It’s truly a big help in our lives.”)

The Tondo resident previously obtained a loan amounting to P20,000 via GLoan, the flagship cash loan product of Fuse, which helped her in paying for medications and dialysis treatment. She also secured credit to buy groceries and settle monthly dues.

For Irene, a barangay health worker, GLoan and GGives enable her to pay for her child's tuition and pay bills on time, as well as cover their family's grocery expenses.

"Mas pinipili ko po ang manghiram sa GCash kaysa sa tradisyonal na lending dahil mas mabilis, mas magaan, at mas maayos ang proseso," she said. (I prefer borrowing through GCash rather than traditional lenders because the process is faster, easier, and more convenient.)

GLoan enables eligible users to borrow cash through the GCash app to help pay for expenses such as emergencies, bills, school fees, or business needs. GGives, meanwhile, allows eligible users to buy now and pay in installments, making it easier to afford bigger purchases such as gadgets, appliances, travel, and other everyday needs.

Humane approach to borrowing: zero-tolerance policy against harassment and abusive practices

While online lending has expanded access to credit, regulators warn that dishonest and unregulated operators continue to exploit vulnerable borrowers. Some illegal platforms charge monthly interest rates as high as 40 percent and resort to severe harassment, including contacting borrowers' family and friends to publicly shame them and coerce payments.

Bernadette Romariate, a 25-year-old borrower in Pangasinan, said that GLoan provides the necessary terms and conditions for the benefit of the borrowers.

"Meron kasi yung terms and conditions doon sa [GLoan]. Kung babasahin, may nakalagay doon na due date. So, it's your responsibility kung kailan mo siya babayaran," she explained. (The terms and conditions are clearly stated in GLoan. If you read them, you'll see the due date indicated there. So it's your responsibility to make sure you pay the loan on time.)

For Fuse, it ensures that it adopts a fair, humane, and respectful approach to collections, treating it as a form of customer support rather than punishment.

“We enforce a zero-tolerance policy against harassment and abusive practices, while ensuring that all collection activities comply with Securities and Exchange Commission regulations and ethical standards,” Fuse Financing president and CEO Tony Isidro said.

Through this approach, Fuse aims to help borrowers manage financial difficulties while building trust in the formal lending system.

Borrowing with dignity

All these efforts are in line with the mission of empowering Filipinos to borrow with dignity.

Sheila Gomez of Iloilo City lamented the social stigma often associated with borrowing, particularly the discomfort of having to ask family or friends for financial help. GLoan provided her with a private and dignified way to access credit without relying on others.

And it paid off. She used the funds to support her journey through law school, easing the financial burden and allowing her to focus on her studies. Now a lawyer, Sheila said she continues to use GCash to manage her finances.

"Loans don't have to be a bad thing. When you borrow with a clear purpose — like investing in your education — it can actually be one of the smartest decisions you make," she concluded.

For more information on loan products, visit gcash.com.

Where Strength Meets Purpose: Century Tuna Crowns Its 20th Superbods Champions

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Century Tuna Superbods Grand Winners Austin Dizon and Vienne Luna with Runners-Up MJ Ordillano and Jas Paguio

Century Tuna has officially named Austin Dizon and Vienne Luna as the Grand Winners of the 20th Century Tuna Superbods this 2026, rising above a remarkable lineup of 40 inspiring finalists.

Century Tuna Male Superbod Grand Winner Austin Dizon is recognized for his advocacy for accessible quality nutrition. Meanwhile, Female Superbod Grand Winner Vienne Luna proudly celebrates Project H.E.R. - Health, Empowerment, and Resilience.

Austin and Vienne each took home the grand prize of ₱1,000,000. Securing the podium, MJ Ordillano and Jas Paguio were named the Century Tuna Superbods Runners-Up, receiving ₱250,000 each.

Celebrating its 20th milestone year, the premier fitness and wellness platform spotlighted authentic human stories, personal growth, and passion-driven advocacies—ranging from accessible nutrition to inclusive physical training and mental strength. Through this historic season, Century Tuna and its contenders proved that while physical conditioning earns a spot on stage, true purpose is what keeps them there.

Century Tuna Brand Ambassadors Alice Dixson, Anne Curtis, and Atasha Muhlach

Held at the grand stage of Solaire Resort Quezon City, the high-energy event brought together top industry icons and fitness advocates. Century Tuna brand ambassadors Anne Curtis, Alice Dixson, and Atasha Muhlach graced the occasion, championing the finalists as they shared their real-life wellness journeys on stage. The powerhouse trio commanded the stage with a show-stopping entrance, making a bold statement of beauty with strength, celebrating the confidence and empowerment of the Superbod Era.

Century Tuna Brand Ambassador Alice Dixson, guest celebrity judge Luis Manzano,

and Century Tuna Brand Ambassador Anne Curtis

Century Tuna Superbods 2014 Grand Winner Mauro Lumba and guest celebrity judge Marian Rivera

Evaluating the contenders on stage presence, authentic charisma, and their commitment to uplifting others through health were esteemed leaders and personalities across wellness, entertainment, and business. The powerhouse panel of judges included iconic actress Marian Rivera and multi-hyphenate actor-host Luis Manzano, Century Tuna ambassadors Anne Curtis and Alice Dixson, and Century Tuna Superbods 2014 Grand Winner, Muay Thai and HYROX athlete Mauro Lumba. They were joined by Century Pacific Food Inc. Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Mr. Greg Banzon, alongside Vice President, General Manager, and Group Business Head Mr. Carlo Endaya.

Century Pacific Food Inc. Vice President, General Manager, and Group Business Head Carlo Endaya, PC&V Communications Inc. President and Chief Creative Officer Carol San Pedro, and Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Greg Banzon

Guiding the momentous occasion as event hosts were radio DJ Sam YG and television host Bianca Gonzalez, keeping the energy high throughout the evening.

The Top 40 Superbod finalists commanded the spotlight through sequential runway presentations—showcasing their strength and versatility in activewear, lifestyle wear, and swimwear, before narrowing down to the Top 16 for the decisive Question and Answer round.

Prior to the main event, the contenders underwent comprehensive physical challenges, advocacy workshops, and community engagements designed to prepare them to serve as relatable motivators for the public.

Special awards were presented to standout candidates throughout the night:

● Century Tuna Super Bowl Game Changer

o Male: Ricardo de Jesus

o Female: Diane Querrer

● Century Tuna Nuggets Supermom

o Rov Mizuse

● Century Tuna Nuggets Superdad

o Jaco Benin

● Vita Coco Most Refreshingly Real Award

o Male: Nunoy van den Burgh

o Female: Jas Paguio

● Fitness Breakthrough Award

o Male: Ameer Ahid

o Female: Maan Marquez

● Jojo Bragais Power Walk Award

o Male: MJ Ordillano

o Female: Vienne Luna

● Superbod Ultimate Transformation

o Male: Rafael Tan

o Female: Janica Reloxe

● Fan Choice Award

o Male: Austin Dizon

o Female: Aleiah Torres

● Bench Active Lifestyle Icon

o Male: Austin Dizon

o Female: Anna Lakrini

● Kilos Superbod Synergy

o Jaco Benin, Anna Lakrini

o Josh Florendo, Cianne Dominguez

● Digital Champ Award

o Male: Lorenzo Isip

o Female: Vienne Luna

● Ageless Award

o Male: Jay Gonzaga

o Female: Gee Canlas

● Solaire Wellness Icon Award

o Male: Prince de Guzman

o Female: Cianne Dominguez

● Media Choice Award

o Male: Prince de Guzman

o Female: Cianne Dominguez

● Beyond the Bod (Advocacy Champion)

o Male: Ricardo de Jesus

o Female: Thalia Joaquin

Century Tuna Superbods 2026 Male Grand Winner Austin Dizon

Century Tuna Superbods 2026 Female Grand Winner Vienne Luna

Century Tuna Superbods 2026 Grand Winners with guest celebrity judges, Century Tuna brand ambassadors, and Century Pacific Food Inc. executives

Century Tuna Superbods 2026 Grand Winners and Runners-Up with guest celebrity judges, Century Tuna brand ambassadors, and Century Pacific Food Inc. executives

From left to right: Hosts Sam YG and Bianca Gonzalez

Top 40 Superbod Finalists

"For 20 years, Century Tuna Superbods has stood as a national platform where health meets real purpose," said Mr. Carlo Endaya, Vice President, General Manager, and Group Business Head of Century Pacific Food Inc. "Tonight, our finalists showed the entire country that stepping into your Superbod Era isn't just about physical fitness—it's about leading with heart, lifting up others through your causes, and inspiring everyday Filipinos to pursue their own goals."

The curtains may have fallen on Finals Night, but the Superbod Era is only just beginning. Equipped with passion, purpose, and real-life advocacies, these Superbods stand ready to lead by example—proving that a healthier, more empowered life belongs to every body.

For more information on Century Tuna Superbods, please visit https://centurytuna.ph/ or watch out for updates on Century Tuna’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/centurytuna.

Turn Everyday Memories Into Creative Photo Dumps With the OPPO Reno16 Series 5G

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There was a time when posting on social media meant choosing one perfectly posed photo. Now, some of the most memorable posts are the ones that feel a little less planned, resulting in blurry barkada selfies, flash-heavy shots, random food snaps, outfit checks, and all the little moments in between.

It is this sense of spontaneity that keeps the monthly photo dump alive. For Gen Z, it has become a visual diary that captures the moments that shaped the month without requiring every image to look overly polished. With nostalgic digicam aesthetics, film-inspired filters, and candid photography making a comeback, creating content feels playful and effortless again.

The OPPO Reno16 Series 5G embraces this creative shift through its Pocket Studio experience by bringing together professional-grade cameras, playful imaging features, and AI-powered creative tools, which makes it easy to shoot, curate, and share a monthly photo dump straight from your smartphone with minimal editing required.

Photo Courtesy of Nathan Roy Ongcarranceja (@_nathanroy on Instagram)

Bring the digicam energy back to your camera roll

Part of the charm of a good photo dump is not every shot has to look like it was captured professionally. Sometimes, a little grain, flash, or nostalgic color is exactly what gives a photo its personality.

With Pop Cam, users can bring that nostalgic look directly into the native Camera app. Choose from nine curated styles which offer different moods, including Digicam, Instant Film, and Light Leak, alongside film-inspired looks that recreate details such as CCD glow, natural grain, and warm light-leak effects. The styles work across photos and Motion Photos, making it easy to give everything from late-night barkada hangouts to café snaps a distinct aesthetic as the moment happens.

For those drawn to the early digital-camera aesthetic, Digicam recreates its familiar nostalgic character without the need to shoot first and recreate the look in a separate editing app. Simply open the camera, choose a look that matches the moment, and start building your next photo dump.

Photo Courtesy of Cody Yap (@remyeats__ on Instagram)

Turn random camera roll moments into something worth posting

A monthly photo dump is rarely about one big moment; it is the collection of little moments that makes it personal. It could be a shot of coffee before class, an unexpected sunset on the commute home, your barkada’s latest inside joke, a concert clip, or a food trip that was never part of the original plan. With its suite of AI-powered creative tools, the OPPO Reno16 Series 5G gives users more ways to capture these seemingly random moments and bring them together in one story.

With AI Remix Collage, several memories can become one playful composition instead of staying buried separately in the camera roll. Motion Photo Popout 2.0 brings another creative dimension to Motion Photos by allowing subjects to break beyond traditional frames, helping everyday moments feel more dynamic and expressive.

Together with the OPPO Reno16 Series 5G’s native creative tools, users can experiment with their content without relying on a complicated editing workflow. What starts as a spontaneous photo can become something ready for the feed in just a few steps.

Photo Courtesy of Shayne Funcion (@helloshayne_ on Instagram)

Your Pocket Studio for the moments in between

The Pocket Studio experience on the OPPO Reno16 Series 5G gives users a versatile camera system for everything from planned portraits to completely spontaneous shots. At the top of the lineup, the OPPO Reno16 Pro 5G features a 200MP Ultra-Clear Main Camera, alongside a 50MP Ultra Wide Camera, 50MP Telephoto Portrait Camera, and 50MP Ultra-Wide Selfie Camera, giving creators multiple perspectives for capturing the month as it unfolds.

The OPPO Reno16 5G offers its own versatile setup with a 50MP Ultra-Clear Main Camera, 50MP Ultra Wide Camera, 50MP Telephoto Portrait Camera, and 50MP Ultra-Wide Selfie Camera, making it easy to switch between detailed everyday shots, barkada portraits, wide group selfies, and everything in between.

Meanwhile, the OPPO Reno16 F 5G pairs a 50MP Ultra-Clear Main Camera, 50MP Telephoto Portrait Camera, 8MP Ultra Wide Camera, and 50MP Ultra-Wide Selfie Camera with the series' playful imaging toolkit, giving users another way to capture and creatively rework everyday moments.

Photo Courtesy of Kian Moral (@kianmoral on Instagram)

Less pressure for perfection, more room to create

A monthly photo dump does not need to tell a perfectly polished story. It can be spontaneous, nostalgic, funny, aesthetic, or all of these at once—as long as it feels like your month.

With Pocket Studio, Pop Cam’s Digicam look, AI Remix Collage, Motion Photo Popout 2.0, and other built-in creative tools, the OPPO Reno16 Series 5G makes it easy to capture and transform moments directly on your smartphone, without switching between editing apps.

So keep the blurry barkada selfie, document the random coffee run, take that flash photo, and save the little moments that might not usually make the grid. They could be what makes your next monthly dump even more memorable.

The OPPO Reno16 Series 5G is now available in the Philippines. Visit the OPPO Online Store or your nearest OPPO Store nationwide to get yours and start capturing every first barkada moment on campus.

To know more about the OPPO Reno16 Series 5G visit OPPO Philippines’ official website at www.oppo.com/ph/ or OPPO Philippines’ official social media pages on Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.

Following the Success of HONOR 600 Series, Something Exciting Is Coming!

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HONOR PH Teases Something Exciting for the Next Generation of Creators.

Global AI devices provider HONOR Philippines has officially begun teasing something exciting following the success of the HONOR 600 Series, hinting at another device designed to keep up with the fast-paced lifestyles of today’s young professionals, creators, and digital-savvy users.

HONOR 600 First Day Sale Draws Huge Crowds

Built around the everyday demands of entertainment, content creation, work, and business, HONOR’s upcoming device is set to bring together the features users need to stay productive, creative, and connected. From creating content for social media to managing work and business on the go, it is designed to fit seamlessly into the way today’s generation lives and works.

At the heart of the experience is HONOR’s AI Image to Video 2.0, giving users a more creative way to bring their images to life. Together with the device’s capabilities for entertainment, content creation, and everyday productivity, HONOR is set to make advanced experiences more accessible to a wider audience.

“Following the success of the HONOR 600 Series, we wanted to continue building on what our consumers value while bringing exciting experiences to even more users,” said Stephen Cheng, Vice President of HONOR Philippines. “This upcoming device reflects how we see smartphones evolving alongside the way people create, work, and enjoy content today. We’re excited for everyone to see what we have in store.”

Stay tuned to HONOR Philippines’ official social media channels as more details are revealed soon.

For more information about HONOR Philippines, you may visit: https://www.honor.com/ph/. To stay updated on launch announcements, product information, and exclusive offers, follow HONOR Philippines’ social media platforms on Facebook (Facebook.com/HonorPhilippines), Instagram (Instagram.com/honorph/) and TikTok: (Tiktok.com/@honorphilippines) for exclusive launch updates, product information, and more. #HONORPhilippines #HONOR600Series