Lenten Specials now available at The Manila Hotel

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THE Manila Hotel welcomes guests to gather over meat-free, comforting dishes thoughtfully prepared for this Lenten season. 

Across its dining outlets, a selection of Lenten specialties joins the hotel’s well-loved vegan and vegetarian offerings, creating menus that feel both meaningful and satisfying.

At the Lobby Lounge, the Lenten menu leans into bright flavors and wholesome comfort. 

Guests can try the Spring Citrus Salad, a refreshing mix of mesclun greens, orange and pomelo in olive oil-raspberry dressing, or the Green Lentil Soup infused with fresh herb pistou.

Heartier options include Linguine in Walnut Sauce with cherry tomato and fresh basil, White Cheese and Spinach Pizza with roasted garlic and ricotta, and Tandoori Pompano served with tomato-cucumber salad and freshly baked naan.

MEAT-FREE OFFERS 

The Manila Hotel offers meat-free, comforting dishes this Lenten season across its dining outlets. Photo shows the Buddha Salad Bowl at the Lobby Lounge. 

Beyond these Lenten specials, the hotel continues to offer an extensive selection of vegan and vegetarian dishes year-round from salads to vegetable entrees and meat-free dishes, reflecting its commitment to inclusive and mindful dining.

For plant-based diners, the vegan a la carte menu at Lobby Lounge and In-Room Dining offers comforting favorites with a wholesome twist.

For those seeking a more refined culinary journey, Champagne Room presents its Vegan Degustation menu, a multicourse dining experience that evolves monthly.

At Red Jade, the Vegetarian Set Menu brings the classic Chinese flavors to the forefront. Meanwhile, M Takeout completes the meat-free offerings with well-balanced solo meals, comforting rice and noodle bowls with its vegan options.

PHOTOS FROM THE MANILA HOTEL

A fresh sound for 2026: Christian Bautista releases city pop-inspired anthem “Sa’yo Lamang”

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Celebrated as Asia’s Romantic Balladeer, Christian Bautista embraces his signature romantic charm while exploring a fresh sonic direction—pairing nostalgic pop glow with a stylish, contemporary edge.

In “Sa’yo Lamang,” his new single under Sony Music Entertainment, Bautista embraces the romantic love song template with renewed confidence, pairing its feel-good energy with sophisticated production and city pop grooves. Imagine the neon glow of ‘80s Tokyo at twilight, yet the atmosphere feels distinctly Pinoy in its comforting glory. That’s how it sounds.

“Sa’yo Lamang captures exactly where I am musically and emotionally: fully committed, joyful, and ready to connect,” shares the award-winning OPM icon. “This year I’m all in. I want listeners to feel uplifted, have fun, and start the year with good energy.”

Produced by Ziv, the track benefits from its intentional marriage of global and local flavors, past and present sounds, and the insistence of not wanting to be easily defined or pinned down. From slick arrangements to meticulous production, Ziv’s instincts for groove—particularly in the drum pattern and basslines—anchor the track’s smooth, vintage edge while allowing Bautista’s vocals to shine and charm their way through the listeners.

Christian Bautista describes his collaboration with Ziv as a game-changing experience. “His attention to detail in sound design and vocal production elevated every element, while his clear vision and collaborative approach pushed us to take creative risks. The process was smooth and professional from start to finish, and his contributions shaped a final mix that truly exceeded our expectations.”

The vibrant personality of “Sa’yo Lamang” seamlessly translates into its upcoming music video, which incorporates smooth retro styling, warm neon tones, and playful choreography. Designed to be a joyful night out, the MV captures intimate singing moments, carefree dancing, and lilting city snapshots that somehow mirror the easygoing vibe of the track. “There’s also a small Easter egg hidden in the karaoke machine: make sure you look for that,” Bautista adds.

The music video is directed by Tristan Ortega and conceptualized in collaboration with the Sony Music Philippines team and Balcony Productions, with creative direction by Rico Blanco.

As Bautista steps into a new era, music fans can look forward to celebrating the moment live. He is set to share the stage with Mark Bautista for an exciting night of timeless hits and exciting new music. Dubbed “Bautista x Bautista,” the concert is set to take place on March 6, 2026, at the New Frontier Theater in Cubao, Quezon City. Tickets are available via ticketnet.com.ph.

HONOR Advances Its AI Vision at MWC 2026 with Robot Phone, Humanoid Robot, Magic Pad4, MagicBook Pro 14 and Magic V6

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From robotics innovation to flagship devices, HONOR expands its AI device ecosystem at MWC 2026

At MWC 2026, HONOR advanced its Augmented Human Intelligence (AHI) vision and accelerated ALPHA PLAN through three connected pillars: Alpha Phone, Alpha Store and Alpha Lab. Building on its long-term commitment to human-centric AI, HONOR offered a preview of Robot Phone, a bold exploration of embodied intelligence and a new species of smartphone that reimagines how future AI devices could integrate motion and spatial awareness.

Alongside this futuristic innovation, HONOR unveiled Magic V6, the pinnacle of its foldable innovation, combining breakthrough silicon-carbon battery technology, advanced display engineering and AI-enhanced productivity in its most refined foldable design to date. Together with new ecosystem devices, HONOR MagicPad 4 and MagicBook Pro 14, these announcements reinforce HONOR’s roadmap to integrate intelligent hardware and software around real human needs.

James Li, CEO of HONOR, said: “With Human-centric as our lighthouse, we navigate the growth of AI through the two beams of IQ and EQ, bringing three forms of intelligence together. We are exploring the new paradigm of AI devices with Alpha Phone; hosting the new paradigm of AI ecosystem with Alpha Store; and building the new paradigm of a silicon-carbon civilization with Alpha Lab. With three waves of the Alpha Plan, we now have all the components in place and we are driving this journey at full warp speed.”

Take a Sneak Peek at the HONOR Robot Phone: A New Species of Smartphone

Robot Phone is a new species of smartphone, combining embodied AI interaction with robot-grade motion and cinematic imaging capabilities. Rather than reacting solely through screens and voice commands, HONOR is, figuratively, giving its next generation of devices not only a brain, but also hands and feet, combining AI with more physical, expressive interaction through motion and camera movement. It goes beyond what a static smartphone can offer, bringing more human, expressive interaction into everyday technology and adjusting its perspective in real time. Multimodal perception means it can identify sounds, track motion and maintain visual awareness, creating a more natural, sensory, and intuitive interaction model.

Robot Phone also introduces embodied AI interaction designed to feel more natural and expressive. It supports all-angle AI video calling that follows the user through robot-grade motion control. It also responds with emotional body language, including expressive nods and head shakes, and can even dance to the beat of music, bringing playful, lifelike interaction to the smartphone experience.

Packing a robot into a smartphone required rethinking space, strength, and weight at a microscopic level. HONOR applied high-performance materials and reliability know-how developed for foldables to Robot Phone engineering, enabling a self-developed micro motor designed for extreme compactness and strength. By significantly reducing motor size, HONOR was able to fit an ultra-compact 4DoF gimbal system into the phone, creating the hardware foundation for robot-grade embodied motion control.

This mechanical architecture supports a three-axis gimbal stabilization system, delivering smooth and precise motion even in dynamic environments. Super Steady Video mode enhances stability in high-movement scenarios, while AI Object Tracking allows Robot Phone to intelligently follow subjects in real time. AI SpinShot further expands creative control, supporting intelligent 90° and 180° rotational movement for fluid, cinematic transitions, even when shooting one-handed.

Built around a 200MP sensor and a stabilized gimbal camera system, Robot Phone is designed to help users move beyond capturing moments and toward capturing life stories. Through stabilization, intelligent tracking, and cinematic-style camera movement, it aims to close the gap between smartphone video and professional-looking storytelling.

Together, these capabilities demonstrate how embodied AI can unlock new forms of capture and interaction, positioning Robot Phone as a defining step in HONOR’s evolution toward more intelligent and adaptive devices. As HONOR continues to advance its ALPHA PLAN, Robot Phone offers a glimpse into how embodied intelligence may shape the next generation of mobile technology.

HONOR Magic V6: A New Foldable Benchmark

While Robot Phone explores the future of embodied intelligence, Magic V6 represents cutting-edge flagship foldable innovation. Building on HONOR’s leadership in foldable design, Magic V6 delivers a device engineered for durability, performance and intelligent productivity.

Combining an ultra-thin 8.75mm1 closed profile with reinforced structural integrity and advanced hinge architecture, Magic V6 is engineered for long-term reliability while maintaining exceptional slimness. The device is rated IP68 and IP692 for water and dust resistance, reinforcing its resilience in everyday environments. Within this ultra-thin foldable design, HONOR integrates its next-generation silicon-carbon battery technology.

Made possible by partnering with ATL, Magic V6 gets HONOR’s fifth-generation silicon-carbon material, addressing the challenge of balancing slimness and high energy density. This innovation empowers HONOR Magic V6 to achieve an industry-first silicon content of 25%, supporting higher energy density in an ultra-thin foldable design. The result is a 6,660mAh battery3 housed in one of the thinnest foldables on the market, redefining expectations for endurance in the category without compromising design.

At MWC 2026, HONOR also demonstrated next-generation battery innovation with the all-new HONOR Silicon-carbon Blade Battery, featuring 32% silicon content and 900+ Wh/L. Designed to enable foldables to enter the 7000mAh era, it signals a further leap in ultra-thin, ultra-high energy battery technology.

Magic V6 also sets a new benchmark in foldable display innovation. Its dual flagship LTPO 2.0 screens, measuring 6.52 inches externally and 7.95 inches4 when unfolded, deliver adaptive 1–120Hz refresh rates and peak brightness of up to 6,000 nits and 5,000 nits respectively for HDR content. The inner display features ultra-thin flexible glass with SGS Minimized Crease Certification and a 44% reduction in crease depth compared to the previous generation, creating a flatter, more immersive canvas. A silicon nitride–based anti-reflection stack reduces reflectivity to as low as 1.5%, while advanced 4320Hz PWM dimming5 and AI Defocus Display enhance comfort during prolonged use. Together, these innovations make Magic V6 more refined and durable across everyday interaction.

When using its expansive unfolded display, AI-enhanced productivity features optimize multitasking, content creation and communication. Cross-ecosystem tools further enhance flexibility, positioning Magic V6 as a powerful companion device, seamlessly working alongside Apple’s ecosystem.

As the first foldable powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 56, matched with advanced vapor chamber cooling for sustained performance, Magic V6 delivers ultra-smooth gaming, multitasking and demanding workloads, making it the truest expression of an AI-era foldable available today, engineered to endure and assist.

HONOR AI Ecosystem: MagicPad 4 and MagicBook Pro 14

Extending its AI-powered portfolio beyond smartphones, HONOR also introduced MagicPad 4 and MagicBook Pro 14 to its flagship ecosystem at MWC 2026.

HONOR MagicPad 4, powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 mobile platform⁵, brings flagship-class performance to an ultra-slim 4.8mm tablet form factor. Its category-leading 3K OLED display features a 165Hz refresh rate, and with AI-enhanced multitasking tools, MagicPad 4 is designed to support fluid productivity and content creation across its 12.3-inch display. As with Magic V6, cross-device collaboration enables seamless interaction alongside smartphones and multi-platform environments, including Apple’s ecosystem. Moreover, based on the new Linux Lab in Developer Options, we can successfully deploy and run the OpenClaw7 AI assistant on HONOR MagicPad4, providing a more convenient environment and broader possibilities for unlocking more efficiency tools and productivity scenarios in the future.

HONOR MagicBook Pro 14 further strengthens HONOR’s AI-laptop offering, with performance driven by the Intel Core Ultra Series 3 Processors8. Engineered for sustained workloads, creative tasks and everyday efficiency, it pairs a color-accurate 14.6-inch OLED display with class-leading battery performance, intelligent performance management and an ultra-light design for enhanced portability.

Together, MagicPad 4 and MagicBook Pro 14 reinforce HONOR’s strategy of integrating AI across device categories, delivering connected, intelligent experiences beyond the smartphone.

Advancing Intelligent Devices and Robots for the AI Era

At its launch event, HONOR also unveiled its first humanoid robot, signaling a broader strategic move to leverage its expertise in mobile technology to create consumer-grade robots. HONOR’s robots will focus on three core scenarios: shopping assistance, workplace inspections, and especially supportive companionship. Unlike traditional robotics companies, HONOR brings a deep understanding of users developed through its smartphones and connected devices. This ecosystem continuity enables future embodied AI devices to recognize users, understand their needs and provide personalized physical assistance from the first interaction.

Together, Robot Phone, humanoid robot, HONOR Magic V6, MagicPad 4 and MagicBook Pro 14 demonstrate how HONOR is extending AHI across both digital and physical experiences. From embodied AI exploration to flagship foldable engineering and AI-powered productivity, each announcement reflects deeper integration of intelligence across hardware and software.

Availability and Pricing

HONOR Magic V6 will be available in select markets in H2 this year, with regional availability to be confirmed. Further details on configurations, color options and pricing will be announced locally.

To some countries, HONOR MagicPad 4 will be available in Grey and White. Price, Availability, configurations, and promotional bundles may vary by region.

Get Your Travel Fund Summer-Ready with Maya

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If your group chats have quietly rebranded themselves into “Siargao 2.0” or “Japan 2026,” that’s usually the cue: summer planning has officially begun. Flights are being shared. Leave credits are being filed. Outfit mood boards are slowly taking shape.

But here’s what’s different in 2026: trips don’t feel like spontaneous splurges anymore, they feel intentional.

According to recent findings, Millennials and Gen Z travelers aren’t just spending on travel. They’re planning earlier, booking more deliberately, and mapping out itineraries months ahead.

Vacations are being treated as something to build toward, not just swipe for. Financial preparation is becoming part of the process, right alongside Pinterest boards and shared spreadsheets.

That’s where Maya — the country’s #1 Digital Bank and leading all-in-one fintech platform — fits naturally into the picture. Because as the plans take shape, the travel fund should too.

Build the Fund Before You Book

Stress-free travelers don’t start saving two weeks before takeoff. They build dedicated funds early.

Whether it’s a cherry blossom reset, a long-overdue European milestone trip, or simply a beach escape, more users are setting up travel funds through Maya Personal Goals and contributing gradually over time. Instead of mixing airfare with grocery money, they separate everyday spending from future plans, ensuring rent money stays rent money, while travel money grows steadily in the background.

With Maya Personal Goals, users can create up to five separate savings targets and start earning 4% interest per annum immediately. Every ₱20,000 added boosts the interest rate, reaching up to 8% p.a. on deposits of up to ₱100,000, making it easier to grow funds faster without disrupting daily expenses.

Spend Strategically, Not Impulsively

Planning doesn’t mean stopping spending. It means making every spend work harder.

By keeping funds in Maya Savings and using Maya for everyday transactions, users can grow their savings while managing regular expenses. With up to 15% interest per annum and interest credited daily, your money doesn’t just sit, it grows consistently, day after day.

Spending, meanwhile, can also be strategic. The Maya Black Credit Card earns instant Maya Miles on all transactions: from flights and hotel bookings to groceries, bills, dining, and more. At Maya Black Preferred merchants, cardholders can earn up to 10X Maya Miles, helping rewards accumulate faster on select purchases.

Those Miles can later be used to offset future travel expenses, turning routine spending into practical value.

Frequent flyers also receive complimentary quarterly global lounge access, a tangible perk that upgrades departure days without the typical premium card fees. Globally accepted and designed for a digital-first lifestyle, the card complements how modern travelers move: cashless, connected, and prepared.

Even pre-trip dinners can work in your favor. Using the Maya Credit Card at participating restaurants gives up to 20% cashback straight to your Maya wallet, helping stretch budgets without cutting back on the send-off moments that make trips memorable.

Because optimizing spending doesn’t mean sacrificing joy. It means making it sustainable.

Summer memories feel better when they aren’t financed by future stress. So go ahead, book the flight, build the Pinterest board, plan the itinerary. Just make sure your travel fund is growing while you do.

Follow @mayaiseverything on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok to stay updated. Maya Philippines, Inc. and Maya Bank, Inc. are regulated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (www.bsp.gov.ph). Deposits are insured by PDIC up to ₱1 million per depositor.

PLDT Home: Free Calls to Filipinos in Middle East

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In times of uncertainty, the sound of a loved one’s voice gives more than comfort. As the situation in the Middle East continues to evolve, PLDT Home is committed to ensuring that families remain connected when it matters most.

To help Filipino families navigate these uncertain times, PLDT Home has activated free International Direct Dial (IDD) calls for subscribers in the Philippines who need to reach loved ones in affected regions.

From March 1 to 7, PLDT Home subscribers can make free international calls from their landlines to the countries with the following area codes:

• Bahrain: +973
• Kuwait: +965
• Iraq: +964
• Oman: +968
• Qatar: +974
• Saudi Arabia: +966
• United Arab Emirates: +971
• Israel: +972
• Iran: +98

To make an IDD call, subscribers must dial "00" (exit code) + country code + area/mobile code + phone number when placing the call. There’s no limit to the number of calls a subscriber can make per day and each call may last up to 30 minutes.

By waiving these international charges, PLDT Home ensures that families in the Philippines can connect, reassure, and update their loved ones abroad without the burden of cost.

PLDT Chairman, President and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan announced the support through an X post saying, "The marching order is to make it easy for our countrymen to reach their loved ones and vice versa.”

The PLDT Group has also activated its 24/7 Smart crisis hotline for those who need to connect with their loved ones at home at +63288457799 or call the DMW-OWWA 1348 hotline for free through PLDT Global’s TinBo app for overseas Filipinos.