Mio & Sons Opens at The Manila Hotel, Bringing Fine Art and Antiques to the Grand Dame

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Patrons of The Manila Hotel now have another reason to visit the historic hotel with the opening of Mio & Sons, a boutique specializing in selling fine art and antiques that brings a refined cultural and lifestyle experience.

Located at the lobby level beside the Champagne Room, the boutique showcases a carefully curated collection of paintings, decorative items, high-end jewelry, and rare collectibles. Among its highlights are porcelain pieces discovered in the Philippines, alongside artworks personally selected by owner Benjamin C. Yap, offering collectors and enthusiasts an opportunity to acquire distinctive pieces with history, character, and enduring value.

Owned by jewelry designer, arts and antiques dealer Benjamin C. Yap, Mio & Sons reflects his lifelong appreciation for fine art, heritage, and craftsmanship. Benjamin C. Yap is also a respected businessman and philanthropist who serves as Chairman of the House of Refuge Foundation and sits on the boards of several Philippine corporations, including The Manila Hotel, Manila Prince Hotel, Manila Bulletin, Centro Escolar University, and Philtrust Bank, among others.

“The Manila Hotel has been long a symbol of Philippine history and culture, making it the perfect home of Mio & Sons,” said Benjamin C. Yap. “We envisioned a space where guests, collectors, and art enthusiasts can discover exceptional pieces, from fine art and antique porcelain to timeless collectibles, and appreciate the stories and craftsmanship behind each one for years to come.”

The opening of Mio & Sons complements The Manila Hotel’s longstanding commitment to celebrating Filipino heritage and providing guests with experiences that extend beyond hospitality. The boutique offers a unique stop for visitors looking to discover fine art, antiques, and high-end collectible pieces while exploring one of the country’s most celebrated heritage landmarks.

Mio & Sons is open daily from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm at the lobby level of The Manila Hotel.

For more information, call +632 8527 0011 or +632 5301 5500, email info@themanilahotel.com, or visit www.manila-hotel.com.ph.

Aerospace Engineering in Your Pocket: Why the OPPO Find N6 is the World's Most Durable Foldable

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Foldable smartphones have come a long way in recent years. While users once questioned their durability and reliability, today's innovations have transformed foldables into everyday productivity companions that are built to last.

Leading this evolution is the OPPO Find N6, a foldable smartphone engineered to withstand the demands of modern life without compromising on design, performance, or portability. Built around OPPO's Armour Shield Architecture, the Find N6 combines aerospace-inspired engineering, industry-leading durability, and flagship innovations to prove that foldables can be just as dependable as they are sophisticated.

Engineered to Go Further

At the heart of the OPPO Find N6 is its Armour Shield Architecture, an advanced structural design that reinforces the device using premium materials while maintaining an ultra-slim profile.

Despite its refined form factor and the industry's thinnest bezels on a book-style foldable, the OPPO Find N6 is designed to withstand the realities of everyday use. Whether it's navigating unpredictable weather, working outdoors, or simply enduring the wear and tear of daily commutes, the device delivers durability without sacrificing elegance.

Setting a new benchmark for foldable smartphones, the OPPO Find N6 carries IP56, IP58, and IP59 ratings, allowing it to withstand dust, water immersion, and even high-pressure, high-temperature water jets. From unexpected downpours to accidental spills and more demanding environments, users can stay productive with confidence knowing their device is built to handle more than everyday challenges.

A Foldable Built for the Long Run

A foldable is only as reliable as its hinge, and OPPO has reimagined this critical component with the 2nd-Generation Titanium Flexion Hinge.

Manufactured using aerospace-grade titanium alloy, the hinge delivers greater strength while remaining remarkably lightweight. Together with Auto-Smoothing Flex Glass, it enables the industry's first Zero-Feel Crease, creating a display that feels smooth and immersive whether you're reviewing reports, reading documents, editing presentations, or watching videos.

The hinge is also certified to withstand one million folds, demonstrating the Find N6's ability to support years of daily opening and closing without compromising performance. It's an engineering milestone that reinforces the device's position as one of the most dependable foldables available today.

Slim, Lightweight, Yet Surprisingly Tough

Durability doesn't have to come at the expense of portability.

The OPPO Find N6 pairs its robust construction with an ultra-slim design, making it comfortable to carry from the boardroom to the airport. Folded, it slips easily into a pocket or bag. Opened, it transforms into an expansive workspace that supports everything from multitasking to content consumption.

Its Snap Key provides instant access to frequently used tools and shortcuts, helping users navigate busy schedules more efficiently without interrupting their workflow.

Reliability That Extends Beyond the Hardware

The OPPO Find N6 is designed not only to survive demanding environments but also to keep up with demanding workloads.

Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon® 8 Elite Gen 5 Mobile Platform, the device delivers smooth performance across multitasking, productivity apps, video conferencing, and content editing. Whether managing multiple projects or switching between work and entertainment, users can expect fast, responsive performance throughout the day.

Complementing this is the 6000mAh OPPO Silicon-Carbon Battery, which provides reliable all-day power for professionals who spend long hours away from a charger. Combined with OPPO's fast-charging technology, the Find N6 minimizes downtime so users can focus on what matters most.

Built for Work, Ready for Creativity

Durability is only valuable when paired with capability.

The Find N6's expansive foldable display unlocks desktop-like productivity through Free-Flow Window, allowing users to run multiple applications simultaneously and move seamlessly between tasks. Reviewing presentations while responding to emails, taking notes during virtual meetings, or organizing travel plans all become more intuitive on the larger display.

Meanwhile, Cross-Ecosystem Connect enables users to transfer files, photos, presentations, and documents effortlessly between OPPO and Apple devices, helping professionals maintain uninterrupted workflows across multiple platforms.

Beyond productivity, the OPPO Find N6 is also equipped for creativity. Its 200MP Hasselblad Ultra-Clear Camera, enhanced by the LUMO Image Engine and True Color Camera, captures professional-quality images with natural color reproduction and impressive detail. Whether documenting site visits, capturing campaign assets, or preserving travel memories, the camera delivers results that are as dependable as the rest of the device.

Raising the Bar for Foldable Smartphones

The OPPO Find N6 demonstrates that durability and premium design no longer have to exist at opposite ends of the spectrum.

By combining Armour Shield Architecture, industry-leading water and dust resistance, a titanium hinge certified for one million folds, flagship performance, intelligent productivity features, and professional imaging capabilities, the Find N6 sets a new benchmark for what users should expect from a foldable smartphone.

For professionals who need a device that can keep pace with their ambitions, the OPPO Find N6 proves that the future of foldables isn't just more innovative. It's stronger, smarter, and more reliable than ever before.

The OPPO Find N6 is priced at PHP 139,999. Customers can also enjoy exclusive offers and freebies available for a limited time. Globe subscribers can avail of the Find N6 through GPlan 2499 with PHP 73,600 cashout, while Smart users can purchase the device under Smart Infinity Plan 5000, with exclusive benefits.

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

From adversity to action: Get to know the Pinoy changemakers honored at CIMB Advancing Societies 2026

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Many people want to make a difference, but only a few choose to turn that desire into action. For two social advocates in the Philippines, however, helping others became more than an aspiration – it became a lifelong mission shaped by their own experiences.

(Left to right) CIMB Bank Philippines Head of Marketing Communications Nikki Constantino, Empower and Transform Founder Salve Ibañez, and Promoting Awareness and Victors Empowerment Founder Phoebe Fructuoso.

Their stories were recently honored at the first-ever CIMB Advancing Societies 2026 program, an initiative that recognized individuals and organizations across Southeast Asia that are making a positive and lasting difference in their communities. CIMB believes that meaningful progress is also measured by the strength of the communities it serves, which is why these two organizations truly bring to life the Group’s commitment to Advancing Customers and Society.

This year, two Pinoy organizations were recognized: Empower and Transform, founded by financial literacy champion Salve Ibañez, and Promoting Awareness and Victors Empowerment (PAVE) Philippines, led by Phoebe Fructuoso, a gender-based violence survivor advocate.

Though their advocacies may differ, both women share a common belief: that no one should be defined or limited by the circumstances they were born into or the hardships they endured.

Empower and Transform: Advancing financial inclusion through education

For Ibañez, inspiration came early in life. Growing up in a small town in Bicol, she was supported by her single mother who worked hard to stretch a public school teacher’s meager salary to make ends meet and provide for her five children. She and her siblings were taught by their mother not to let their financial situation prevent them from pursuing a good education and career. From then on, she worked tirelessly to become a prominent figure in the Philippine financial literacy industry and established EAT.

Through EAT, Filipinos of all income levels both here and abroad are provided access to financial education and affordable financial advisory. EAT has also partnered with CIMB Bank PH in the past for a community outreach event and free financial literacy webinar as part of the Bank’s corporate social responsibility efforts. Their advocacy to help ordinary Filipinos handle their money better earned them a nod in the Education and Financial Inclusion category.

PAVE Philippines: Empowering survivors of sexual violence

For Fructuoso, the conviction grew from a dark chapter in her life. As a gang rape survivor, she chose not to let her story end in silence. Instead, she turned her painful experience into a platform for healing, education, and advocacy, helping other survivors find their voices while challenging rape culture and raising awareness about gender-based violence through PAVE Philippines.

Fructuoso has become a beacon of hope and resilience, transforming personal trauma into a powerful force for social change. Her story also inspired many when she became one of the winners of CIMB Bank PH’s inaugural Pinoy Mavericks Awards back in 2024. Through the organization’s inspiring efforts, PAVE Philippines was honored under the Social Inclusion and Equity category.

Turning adversity into action

Their journeys demonstrate that meaningful social change often begins with deep personal experiences. Rather than allowing hardship to define them, both women chose to let it shape the way they uplift others, creating a ripple effect that aids in strengthening communities.

Through the positive impact they bring to the communities they serve, PAVE Philippines and EAT both embody what the CIMB Advancing Societies program aims to honor and celebrate. Anchored in CIMB’s core purpose of advancing customers and society, CIMB Advancing Societies is a manifestation of CIMB Group’s commitment to empowering individuals and communities across ASEAN to continue moving forward in their lives and enable them to achieve their ambitions.

GCash blocked 6700 illegal gambling sites using QRPH

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GCash has blocked over 6,700 fraudulent merchants using "quishing"—a new tactic where scammers use fake QR codes to steal payments

As QRPh continues to transform the way Filipinos pay for everyday purchases, scammers are also evolving their tactics to exploit the country's growing reliance on QR-based transactions. To help keep digital payments safe, GCash has intensified its efforts against fraudulent merchants and fake payment pages, blocking over 6,700 suspicious accounts linked to QRPh-related scams while continuing to educate users on how to identify and avoid emerging threats.

How scammers exploit QRPh payments

Fraud monitoring teams at GCash have flagged a sharp rise in schemes where fake websites mimic legitimate GCash payment pages and use QRPh codes to collect payments. An example of a growing scam is known as “quishing” or QR phishing.

In these schemes, fraudsters exploit QRPh codes to redirect users to malicious payment pages or steal sensitive information, while misusing official branding to appear credible and deceive users into completing unauthorized transactions.

Some cases also involve fraudulent QRPh codes being embedded in posters, emails, receipts, or messages. When scanned, these can redirect users to fake login pages for e-wallets or banks, or even to sites that install harmful software on their devices. This results in users unknowingly sending money to illegitimate accounts, even if the transaction appears familiar or routine.

Protecting QRPh ecosystem through stronger enforcement

As QRPh-related scams continue to evolve, GCash has strengthened its enforcement measures to protect users against quishing and other QRPh-based scams.

Suspicious wallets linked to fraudulent QRPh activity are immediately blocked, preventing scammers from receiving stolen payments through the platform. Fake websites impersonating official GCash payment pages are likewise identified and escalated for takedown, while incident reports are submitted to PH Payments Management Inc. (PPMI) and relevant government authorities to support further investigation and enforcement.

These efforts form part of GCash's broader collaboration with government agencies, including the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), to disrupt scam networks, strengthen consumer protection, and preserve trust in the country's digital payments ecosystem.

"Scammers are constantly evolving their tactics alongside digital payments, and we are equally committed to staying ahead of these threats," said Miguel Geronilla, Chief Information Security Officer at GCash. "By proactively blocking suspicious accounts, flagging fraudulent payment pages, and reporting these activities to regulators and law enforcement, we help stop these schemes before they can affect more Filipinos."

Geronilla added, "Protecting users is at the core of our platform. We have zero tolerance for those who exploit digital financial services, and we will continue to strengthen our safeguards while working hand in hand with government and industry partners to keep the country's digital payments ecosystem safe and secure."

Protect yourself from QRPh-related scams

As scams become more sophisticated, GCash urges users to remain vigilant and practice safe digital habits when using QR-based payments:

• Always check the website URL before making payments and ensure it matches official GCash domains

• Verify the merchant name displayed before confirming any transaction

•  Avoid transacting with suspicious or unverified sites

• l Be cautious of QR codes from unknown or untrusted sources\

• l Report suspicious links or payment requests through the GCash Help Center

Users are strongly encouraged to verify merchant names and payment URLs before completing transactions and to immediately stop any transaction that appears suspicious.

Keeping digital payments safe for every Filipino

GCash reaffirms its commitment to protecting users and maintaining the integrity of the country’s digital payments ecosystem. Through proactive detection, continuous monitoring, and strong collaboration with regulators and law enforcement, the platform continues to strengthen its defenses against emerging threats.

GCash users can report suspected scams through the GCash Help Center at help.gcash.com by chatting with Gigi and selecting “I want to report a scam”, or by calling the official GCash hotline at 2882.

Users may also report incidents to the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group at (02) 8414-1560 / 0998-598-8116 or acg@pnp.gov.ph, and to the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) via hotline 1326, mobile 0991-481-4225, or report@cicc.gov.ph.

By staying vigilant and using trusted platforms, Filipinos can better protect their funds and ensure that every peso counts.

More information is available at www.gcash.com.

Naga City Pilots Expanded Waste Management Operations Training with Coca-Cola, TESDA

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NAGA City, Philippines– Coca-Cola Philippines, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the City Government of Naga, and the Camarines Sur Institute of Fisheries and Marine Sciences (CASIFMAS) have formalized a partnership to deliver the Solid Waste Management Operations (SWMO) Level III Training Program in Naga City. This marks the first official rollout of the program under the expanded Trash Free Pilipinas Program (TFPP) framework.

Lead representatives Maria Christine Ponce-Garcia, Senior Director for Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability, Coca-Cola Philippines; Hon. Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo, Mayor of Naga City; TESDA Secretary Kiko Benitez and other officials from TESDA, Coca-Cola Philippines and City Government of Naga pose after the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the Solid Waste Management Operations (SWMO) Level III Training Program.

The Memorandum of Agreement signing and Training Induction Program (TIP) were held on June 17, 2026, at Sitio Pasto, Barangay Cararayan, Naga City. bringing together national and local government agencies, academic partners, community representatives, and private sector stakeholders to launch a training initiative aimed at strengthening local capacities in ecological solid waste management.

The event was attended by TESDA Secretary Kiko Benitez, Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo, and Coca-Cola Philippines Senior Director for Public Affairs, Sustainability & Communications Christine Ponce-Garcia.

Helping build local capacity for waste management

As local governments work to meet the requirements of Republic Act 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, many Local Government Units (LGUs) and barangays continue to face capacity gaps, particularly in technical planning, waste segregation practices, and community-level implementation. The SWMO Level III Training Program is designed to help address these challenges.

The training program equips barangay officials, LGU personnel, and environmental workers with practical skills in waste management planning, materials recovery operations, waste segregation systems, information and education campaigns, enterprise development, and local policy formulation. Participants complete a combination of classroom learning, fieldwork and applied outputs, including the development of barangay solid waste management plans.

The event formally welcomes the first batch of participants to the SWMO Level III Training Program, bringing together trainees and partners committed to strengthening local waste management systems in Naga City.

“Solid waste management should be recognized and supported like any other essential profession. Programs like this help strengthen technical capability at the barangay level while opening opportunities to skills recognition and employment.” said Ponce-Garcia.

Naga City was selected as the first rollout site under the expanded TFPP framework based on its existing and active solid waste management programs and high levels of community participation. The site will serve as a learning reference and a demonstration model for other LGUs across the country, considering similar training approaches.

"Naga City has long been committed to responsible waste management, but we know there is always more we can do. This program strengthens the people doing the work on ground, our barangay officials, and frontline workers." said Robredo. “It supports a more consistent and effective approach to waste management across our communities.”

Clear roles for implementation

TESDA serves as the lead technical institution for the SWMO Level III Training Program, overseeing curriculum development, training delivery standards and requirements, accreditation and national program institutionalization.

Meanwhile, CASIFMAS is responsible for local training implementation in Naga City. The City Government of Naga provides the training site and supports participant coordination, monitoring, and community engagement. Coca-Cola Philippines supports the program through framework development and support for test training runs, working alongside government and academic partners.

“This is another proof of how tech-voc builds the nation, as the SWMO Level III program allows us to equip LGUs and barangays with skills that will make real environmental impact,” said Benitez. “TESDA is proud to help upgrade our solid waste management systems, which will ultimately benefit the Filipino people,” said Benitez.

The first batch of participants includes barangay officers and solid waste management personnel from across Naga City.

From pilot training to a national training program

The Trash Free Pilipinas Program traces its roots to consultations by Coca-Cola Philippines conducted in 2021 in Pavia, Iloilo, and Bacolod City, where barangay officials identified and highlighted persistent challenges in implementing RA 9003.

In response, Coca-Cola Philippines and TESDA co-developed a grassroots training program model, first piloted in Angono, Rizal in 2022 under the National Solid Waste Management Training Program.

The Angono pilot ran for approximately 22 days and combined classroom instruction, fieldwork, and community consultations. Of the 36 initial enrollees, 29 completed the program and produced barangay solid waste management plans, information education campaign materials (IEC), enterprise concepts, and draft ordinances.

Since then, the program has expanded its trainer base, strengthened LGU partnerships, developed regional lead trainers, and established linkages to livelihood initiatives related to recyclable materials and small enterprise development, while also helping enable access to green financing for waste workers and microentrepreneurs. TESDA is now institutionalizing SWMO Level III as part of its national green skills and technical-vocational education offerings.

Shared commitment to stronger local systems

The Naga City rollout reflects what multi-sectoral collaboration can accomplish when the government, communities, academic institutions and the private sector work toward a shared goal of strengthening local solid waste management systems.

Coca-Cola Philippines, TESDA, and the City Government of Naga will continue working with partners to support skills development, implementation capacity, and community-based waste management initiatives.

For more information about Coca-Cola Philippines programs related to packaging recovery and waste management, visit https://www.coca-cola.com/ph/en/brands/coca-cola/sustainability