The Manila Hotel Named Philippines’ Leading Hotel for Third Consecutive Year

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The Manila Hotel has once again been named the Philippines’ Leading Hotel at the 33rd World Travel Awards 2026, marking the Grand Dame’s third consecutive win in the category from 2024 to 2026.

The prestigious recognition was received by Atty. Jose D. Lina, Jr., president of The Manila Hotel, during the World Travel Awards 2026 Gala Ceremony held on September 27 in the Maldives. The win adds to The Manila Hotel’s distinguished record at the World Travel Awards, having been named the Philippines’ Leading Hotel in both 2024 and 2025.

Often regarded as the “Oscars of the travel industry,” the World Travel Awards recognize excellence across the global tourism and hospitality industry. For The Manila Hotel, the three consecutive victories reflect its enduring commitment to Filipino hospitality and its role as a landmark of Philippine heritage and tourism.

“We are deeply grateful to the World Travel Awards for this recognition and to everyone who continues to place their trust in The Manila Hotel,” said Atty. Jose D. Lina, Jr. “Receiving this award for the third consecutive year is a meaningful recognition of our people, whose dedication and passion continue to bring The Manila Hotel’s tradition of service to life. We are equally grateful for the continued trust and loyalty of our guests and patrons, who have been part of our journey through the years. This recognition honors not only the heritage we proudly preserve, but also our commitment to creating meaningful experiences and extending Filipino hospitality from the heart.”

As an iconic national heritage institution, The Manila Hotel continues to bring together its historical significance and modern amenities, offering world-class accommodations, dining, wellness, and recreational experiences grounded in Filipino hospitality. The latest World Travel Awards recognition further strengthens The Manila Hotel’s longstanding presence in the global tourism and hospitality landscape, while reaffirming its place as a historic landmark in the Philippines.

Security Bank's security agency partners support classroom-building campaign

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The people who help protect Security Bank every day are also helping build a better future for Filipino children.

Louie De Real, Executive Director of Security Bank Foundation (fourth from left), and Ricardo Llego, Partnership Officer (second from right), receive a donation from Security Bank’s security agencies alongside Gen. Billy Beltran, Security and Safety Head (sixth from left), and Col. Ferjen Torred, Branch Security Operations and Investigation Head (third from left).

Six accredited security agency partners donated cash and in-kind support to Security Bank Foundation’s (SBFI) Bayanihan Para sa Silid-Aralan campaign. Their contributions will help fund the construction of classrooms for public schools across the country.

"As a Security Banker and someone who works closely with our security agency partners, I strongly believe in Security Bank Foundation's advocacy for education. That's why I invited our partner agencies to join us in nation-building by supporting the Bayanihan Para sa Silid-Aralan campaign," said Gen. Billy Beltran, Chief Security Officer at Security Bank.

The participating agencies were Eparwa Security Services, Gallantry Security and Investigation Agency, Magno's Security & Investigation Services, Tarsier Security Agency, BOS Security Solutions and Services, and Quiambao Security Specialists.

The initiative was led by Gen. Beltran and Col. Ferjen Torred, Special Operations Head of the Bank’s Security and Safety Division.

This year, Security Bank Foundation is constructing 60 classrooms for eight public schools nationwide. The agencies’ contributions will help cover rising construction costs and enable SBFI to serve more students and communities.

The campaign forms part of Security Bank Foundation’s Build a School, Build a Nation program. Since 2011, the program has helped address the country's classroom shortage by constructing school facilities for public schools nationwide.

Security Bank Foundation invites individuals and organizations to take part in the campaign. Every contribution helps bring more Filipino children closer to safe and conducive spaces where they can learn, grow, and build their futures. Donate through the Bayanihan Para sa Silid-Aralan donation form.

Public Solicitation Permit No.: DSWD-SB-PSP-S-2026-000082

Learn more here: www.securitybank.com/foundation/

Globe brings 5G, Bicolano youth talent, and music to Peñafrancia Festival 2026

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Globe joined the Peñafrancia Festival 2026 in Naga City, bringing connectivity, music, and youth-centered experiences to one of Bicol’s biggest gatherings of faith and culture. From September 15 to 18, Globe supported the festivities with WiFi broadband access at key event areas, activities showcasing young Bicolano artists and musicians, and G Music Fest as part of its 917 GDay celebration this September. These gave residents and visitors more ways to stay connected, share festival moments, and take part in the celebration.

“The Peñafrancia Festival is at the heart of Bicolano faith and culture. Globe is honored to be part of this important tradition by helping families, devotees, and visitors stay connected,” said KD Dizon, Globe Chief Marketing Officer. “Beyond connectivity, we also want to give young Bicolanos a bigger stage to share their creativity and talent as part of this important celebration.”

Globe’s activities kicked off on September 15 with young Bicolano artists and musicians taking the spotlight. Through 5G Building Craft, student artists showcased their creativity in a mural design competition, while 5G EnergyJam gave student bands nominated by local schools the opportunity to perform and earn a spot at G Music Fest.

The celebration continued at the Balatas Development Complex from September 16 to 18, where Globe welcomed customers and festivalgoers at its Mini Globe Full Experience Platform. Visitors received customized Peñafrancia giveaways and merchandise at the Swag Station, while the 5G Moments Portrait Studio gave families and friends a place to capture and share festival memories.

G Music Fest brought local and national artists together at Tagboan Market in the Balatas Development Complex on September 17. Pinoy singer-songwriter Kyle Raphael headlined the show, joined by Bicolana artist dwta and student performers from 5G EnergyJam.

Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo welcomed Globe’s participation in this year’s festival. “Peñafrancia brings Bicolanos together through our shared faith and culture. As we welcome devotees and visitors to Naga City, reliable connectivity helps them stay in touch with their families and share their experiences. We appreciate Globe for being part of the festivities and creating opportunities for our young artists and musicians to showcase their talent.”

Globe’s participation in Peñafrancia reflects its continuing efforts to strengthen connectivity while supporting experiences that matter to local communities. In Naga City, this meant helping Bicolanos stay connected during an important celebration of faith and culture while giving young local artists and musicians a wider platform for their talent. For more information about Globe, visit www.globe.com.ph

Nexal on Why the New Filipino Routine Is Less About Work-Life Balance

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As the boundaries between work, personal time, wellness, and leisure become less rigid, Nexal sees technology taking a more flexible role in the way people move through the day.

Work-life balance once implied keeping professional responsibilities and personal time in defined places. That idea is becoming less reflective of how many people structure their days today. With greater flexibility in when and where activities happen, work can exist alongside personal pursuits, wellness, entertainment, and downtime without each needing its own designated space. Nexal sees this shift reflected in its “Work Freely, Live Fully” philosophy, which places technology in support of the individual rather than at the center of the day.

This also changes how productivity is understood. Getting things done is no longer necessarily tied to a fixed schedule or a traditional workstation. Focus can be directed toward a professional task, a creative interest, personal planning, or making time for something meaningful. The value of flexibility lies not in doing more at once, but in having greater control over what deserves attention at a particular point in the day.

For Nexal, that perspective shapes how its devices fit into everyday use. The Nexal Pad, priced at ₱17,999, reflects the role technology can play when focus extends beyond conventional work. Its 11-inch 2.5K display provides space for planning, creative tasks, research, or entertainment, while its AI features and up to 12GB RAM via DRE* support activities that call for concentration. Rather than assigning the tablet to one particular task, its value lies in giving users room to pursue what has their attention.

That sense of personal autonomy also extends to how people spend active and quieter parts of the day. Priced at ₱3,999, the Nexal OpenSports Pro supports running, workouts, and outdoor activities with Dual Conduction, helping users stay connected while remaining aware of their surroundings, while the Nexal Earbuds, at ₱2,999, bring 53dB ANC and 6-mic ENC to music, calls, and everyday listening. Together, they reflect how technology can support both movement and downtime without either being treated as separate from the rest of the routine.

The lineup reflects a less rigid relationship between technology and daily life. A tablet can support focused tasks and personal interests, while audio devices can move between communication, movement, and downtime. For Nexal, this is the thinking behind “Work Freely, Live Fully”: technology should support how people choose to use their time, without defining what that time should be for.

The Nexal Pad, Nexal OpenSports Pro, and Nexal Earbuds are now available at realme & TechLife Stores.

For the Nexal Pad, customers can get Total freebies worth up to ₱7,998, including a Free Keyboard Case + Watch, from September 25 to October 4.

For more updates, follow Nexal on Instagram and visit its official website.

Lights, Camera, Action! Kingsford Hotel Manila Brings Family Movie Magic This Halloween

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What if, for one Halloween afternoon, your favorite movie characters could walk off the screen, and your family could become part of the cast?

That is the idea behind “Harriwood: The Thriller on Set,” Kingsford Hotel Manila’s family Halloween celebration happening on October 24, 2026, where kids and parents can dress up as their favorite movie characters and step into a movie-inspired world where they become part of the show.

At the heart of the celebration is Harri, a familiar companion to children who visit Kingsford Hotel Manila and a playful presence throughout their stay. His name comes from the Filipino word “hari,” meaning “king” in English, a fitting name for someone who makes every young guest feel extra special. For Harriwood, Harri steps into the role of a friendly movie director, leading families on a movie inspired adventure where children and parents become the stars of the show.

Guests can expect an afternoon packed with Halloween treats and food, games and entertainment, trick-or-treating, a costume competition, and loot bags filled with giveaways. To join the movie-inspired fun, guests are encouraged to come in costume as their favorite heroes, villains, animated characters, or other movie personalities.

Set at the Kingsford Ballroom, the family-friendly celebration runs from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., with tickets priced at PHP 1,600 per adult and PHP 900 for children aged 2 to 11 and free for 0–1-year-old.

Make It a Halloween Stay

Families looking to extend their movie inspired adventure can turn the celebration into an easy Halloween staycation with Kingsford Hotel Manila’s Harriwood Stay Package. It includes an overnight stay in a Deluxe Room, buffet breakfast for two, two tickets to Harriwood: The Thriller on Set, a 10% discount on up to three additional tickets, and complimentary late check out until 2 p.m. on October 25, all for PHP 7,999 nett.

Whether families are dressing up as childhood favorites, bringing the kids to their first Halloween adventure, or simply looking for a fun way to spend the holiday together, Harriwood puts families at the center of the story.

Ready for your close-up? Gather your favorite characters, pick your costumes, and reserve your spot on the set. Reserve your tickets through SMS or Viber: Room Reservations: +63 917 859 5307 |Banquets: +63 917 805 3585