SM Investments earns Great Place to Work certification for second consecutive year

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SM Investments Corporation (SM Investments), the parent company of the SM Group, has earned its Great Place to Work® certification for 2026, marking its second consecutive year of recognition.

Based on the Great Place to Work Trust Index Survey, 92% of SM Investments employees affirmed that management is competent in running the business, reflecting their confidence in the company’s leadership and direction.

“We are grateful to receive this recognition from our people for the second consecutive year. Their trust is something we value and work to earn every day. We believe that when people feel supported, included, and confident in the direction of the company, they are better able to contribute to its long-term growth,” said Frederic DyBuncio, President and Chief Executive Officer of SM Investments.

Guided by its core values of Drive and Enthusiasm, Leadership, Integrity, Teamwork, and Entrepreneurship (DELITE), SM Investments seeks to foster a workplace where people have clear direction, work towards shared goals, and are encouraged to contribute and grow.

The company also upholds high standards of corporate governance, anchored on fairness, accountability, and transparency. These principles guide how it creates and sustains value for its stakeholders, including its employees.

Great Place to Work® is a global authority on workplace culture and the data scientist behind the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For™ list. Its benchmarks draw on insights from more than 100 million employees across 150 countries.

JuanHand spearheads forum on Nihilistic Violent Extremism (NVE) and school-based violence

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JuanHand, in partnership with the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P), spearheaded “Addressing School-Based Violence: A Multisectoral Forum on Nihilistic Violent Extremism (NVE),” held on 6 November 2026 at the Dizon Auditorium of UA&P in Ortigas, Pasig City.

(L-R) Francisco Roberto “Coco” Mauricio, President and Chief Executive Officer of JuanHand; Atty. Claire Castro; Juan Edgardo Manalang “Sonny” Angara, Secretary of the Department of Education; and Atty. John Philip R. Yeung, President of the University of Asia and the Pacific.

Led by JuanHand President and CEO Francisco Roberto “Coco” Mauricio, the forum brought together government officials, law enforcement agencies, educators, child protection advocates, and other stakeholders to discuss ways to prevent and address school-based violence. Established in the Philippines in 2019, JuanHand is a Philippine subsidiary of FinVolution Group, a financial technology company listed on the New York Stock Exchange. It aims to address gaps in access to financial services, particularly for underserved yet creditworthy Filipinos.

“Our purpose is to give more Filipinos a reliable helping hand when they need it,” Mauricio said, emphasizing the company's commitment to making financial assistance more accessible through technology and helping Filipinos sustain livelihoods, manage urgent expenses, and pursue opportunities. This commitment also extends to consumer protection and digital safety.

Mauricio explained that the forum was initiated out of a shared responsibility to protect children from emerging threats. “We initiated this forum because we believe we have a shared responsibility to help keep children safe. Schools should be places where young people can learn and develop with confidence. Protecting that environment requires the involvement of families, educators, government, law enforcement, and the private sector,” he said.

The forum aimed to connect the different stages of prevention and response, from recognizing warning signs and reporting concerns to investigation, prosecution, child protection, and care.

Principal Security Architect and Dark Web and Intelligence Strategist Brian Borysewich provided an overview of Nihilistic Violent Extremism (NVE), describing it as an emerging online-driven form of violence that promotes chaos and destruction. “This is an emerging online-driven form of violence that promotes chaos and destruction. This targets children aged 7 to 15 by manipulating their mindsets and behavior and recruiting them to commit violent acts, including those that may occur in school settings,” Borysewich shared.

Among the key government officials present were Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla and Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny M. Angara, who highlighted the importance of strengthening protective measures for young people.

Secretary Remulla shared his observations on cases involving children who had undergone psychiatric consultations and guidance counseling, with their families also involved.

“Parents and adults must establish daily and open communication lines with their children to monitor their online activities to help prevent radicalization,” said Secretary Remulla. “Dapat araw-araw pinag-uusapan sa eskwelahan. Dapat araw-araw pinag-uusapan sa bahay. Dapat araw-araw pinag-uusapan sa pamilya.”

Meanwhile, Secretary Angara emphasized the importance of securing schools and strengthening relationships within educational communities by saying, “It is absolutely necessary that we secure our schools, and we need to build stronger communities. We need to build better relationships with our learners,” Angara said. The forum also featured two panel discussions tackling different aspects of school-based violence.

The first panel, “Online Threats, Offline Consequences: Investigating and Prosecuting School-Based Violence,” was moderated by Atty. Concepcion Lagos, Program Director and Vice Dean of the School of Politics and Governance at UA&P. It featured Atty. Ian Norman E. Dato of the Department of Justice (DOJ); Col. Alan Lito S. Arao-Arao (Ret.) of the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC); Ma. Rosalie S. Laguarda of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI); PCPT Vince Joshua P. Garcia of the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group; and Ronald Gustilo of Digital Pinoys.

The second panel, “Recognizing the Signs: Early Intervention Against School-Based Violence,” brought together Atty. Razzel Anne T. Requesto of the Department of Education (DepEd); Janice Tapil of Child Rights Coalition Asia; Elvis R. Quitalig of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD); and content creator and parenting mentor Mariel Kliatchko. 

Also in attendance was Undersecretary of the Presidential Communications Office and Palace Press Officer Atty. Claire Castro, alongside representatives from government agencies, the academe, civil society organizations, and the private sector. In his closing remarks, Mauricio emphasized the importance of bringing different sectors together to promote.

From Daily Routines to Dating Conversations: usmile Makes Oral Care Relatable

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usmile continues to empower Filipinos’ oral care habits with innovative and functional products that help them achieve their everyday dental needs.

First dates, coffee catch-ups, spontaneous meetups, and everyday conversations all have one thing in common: feeling confident enough to be yourself. While choosing the right outfit or making a good first impression often gets the most attention, there's another part of personal care that deserves a spot in the conversation—a healthy, well-maintained smile.

For Filipinos juggling early mornings, long commutes, and busy work or school schedules, oral care can easily feel like just another task to tick off the daily checklist. Yet, much like skincare and other self-care rituals, maintaining good oral hygiene is a simple way to look after both personal well-being and confidence in everyday interactions.

With this in mind, professional oral care brand usmile is making dental hygiene more approachable through innovative products and relatable lifestyle conversations. Guided by its philosophy, “Prevention Over Treatment,” the brand develops products with purposeful designs that go beyond aesthetics, with features curated to serve specific functions and address everyday oral care needs. It encourages Filipinos to build consistent oral care habits that fit naturally into their routines, helping them take better care of their smiles before dental concerns arise.

Beyond First Impressions: Why Oral Hygiene Matters in Dating

usmile recently joined the Bare It All Podcast to spark conversations on the importance of good dental care in self-care, dating, and relationships.

Taking the conversation beyond everyday routines, usmile recently collaborated with the Bare It All Podcast, alongside licensed dentist Joli Alferez, for an episode exploring dating non-negotiables, personal preferences, and the role of good hygiene in relationships.

From fresh breath to personal hygiene habits, the discussion explored how oral care can influence first impressions, personal comfort, and confidence in relationships. It also brought attention to the importance of maintaining healthy teeth and gums, showing that good oral hygiene goes beyond achieving an attractive smile.

After all, feeling confident about one's oral hygiene can make everyday interactions more comfortable, from meeting someone for the first time to enjoying a meal with a partner. Through this collaboration, usmile encourages Filipinos to view oral care as an essential part of self-care and personal well-being.

Making Everyday Oral Care a Simple Act of Self-Care

A good oral care routine doesn't have to be complicated. From brushing before heading out for the day to freshening up before an evening out, small, consistent habits can make a meaningful difference in maintaining healthy teeth and gums.

Encouraging preventive oral care is especially important in the Philippines. Data from the Department of Health (DOH) indicate that 92.4% of the population experiences tooth decay, while 78% have gum disease. These numbers highlight the need for greater awareness and more consistent hygiene practices among Filipinos.

Recognizing this, usmile offers technology-driven oral care solutions that help address different consumer needs, combining practical functionality with innovations that make everyday hygiene more accessible and appealing.

Designed with advanced color-correction technology and all-natural colorants, usmile’s Optical White 2.0 delivers brighter-looking smiles and fresher breath.

For those looking to maintain a brighter-looking smile, usmile Optical White 2.0 features purple color-correction technology that helps neutralize the appearance of yellow tones for a brighter-looking smile. The upgraded formulation now also incorporates all-natural colorants, reflecting the brand's focus on improving its products for everyday use.

Focusing on advanced whitening, anti-cavity protection, and enamel care, usmile’s Strength White helps Filipinos fortify and whiten their teeth in just 10 days.

Meanwhile, usmile Strength White offers another approach to daily oral care, focusing on whitening and enamel care for consumers who want to maintain their smiles while being mindful of their teeth's overall condition.

usmile's oral care innovations have also gained traction among Filipino consumers, with Optical White 2.0 gaining traction among consumers on TikTok Shop Philippines in October 2026, while Strength White continues to build visibility among consumers interested in incorporating more purposeful products into their routines.

By offering solutions that address different oral care preferences, usmile makes it easier for consumers to find products that complement their lifestyles and personal hygiene habits.

Confidence Starts with Consistent Habits

Make every smile brighter with consistent oral care, regular dentist visits, and usmile!

A brighter-looking smile may boost confidence, but good oral health starts with consistent care. Brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, cleaning between the teeth, and visiting a dentist regularly remain essential habits for maintaining healthy teeth and gums.

Through its innovative products and relatable lifestyle conversations, usmile continues to support Filipinos in understanding and addressing their oral health needs. By encouraging informed choices and consistent habits, the brand hopes to contribute to greater awareness of dental health challenges in the Philippines and reinforce its belief that prevention begins with everyday actions—one routine and one smile at a time.

For more information, visit usmile's official stores on TikTok Shop and Shopee and follow its social media pages (TikTok | Facebook).

Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra | Tab S12+: Built for Big Ideas and the Work Behind Them

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From creative concepts to professional output, Samsung’s latest tablet empowers users to bring their biggest ideas to life

Great work often begins with a single idea: a sketch waiting to take shape, a recipe ready to be perfected, a concept that needs refining, or a story waiting to be told. Turning that idea into something remarkable takes more than inspiration. It takes the right tools to explore possibilities, refine every detail, and bring creative visions to life.

Designed for those who take pride in their craft, the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra and Galaxy Tab S12+ bring together powerful performance, an expansive display, and versatile productivity tools to help users move seamlessly from concept to creation. Whether in the studio, the kitchen, the office, or on the go, the Galaxy Tab S12 Series makes it easier to transform everyday ideas into meaningful work.

Where ideas take shape

From sketching designs to perfecting recipes, the Galaxy Tab S12 Series helps turn inspiration into tangible results. Its immersive Dynamic AMOLED 2X display and in-box S Pen make it easy for designers and illustrators to refine concepts, while chefs can organize recipes, develop menus, and gather creative references in one place.

For content creators and professionals, the Galaxy Tab S12 Series makes it easier to plan projects, review visuals, and manage documents with powerful performance and Multi Window, which supports up to three apps on screen at once. Paired with the Book Cover Keyboard Slim and productivity apps, it offers a flexible workspace for creating, collaborating, and bringing ideas to life wherever inspiration strikes.

Power that keeps up with ambition

Big ambitions call for hardware that can keep up. The Galaxy Tab S12 Series combines this powerful performance with an ultra-thin, portable design. At just 5.1mm thin, the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra features a 14.6-inch display, while the Galaxy Tab S12+ offers a 12.6-inch screen, both with vivid visuals and peak brightness of up to 1,600 nits. With long-lasting battery life and IP68-rated water and dust resistance, you can stay productive and creative throughout the day.

And because good work is never just a one-day affair, both models support up to seven generations of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates, helping users keep their devices current as their needs evolve.

More tools, more room to create

Every Galaxy Tab S12 purchase comes with a productivity bundle featuring a free Book Cover Keyboard Slim, In-box S Pen, and 45W travel adapter. You can also enjoy third-party app benefits, including a one-year Microsoft 365 subscription, six months of Google AI Pro, four months of Adobe Photoshop, and more, subject to applicable terms and conditions.

Enjoy trade-in savings of up to ₱12,000, 0% credit card installment plans for up to 36 months, and an additional discount of up to 10% for select banks. Students can also get up to a 20% student discount through the Samsung Education Store online, subject to applicable terms and conditions.

For added peace of mind, Samsung Care+ offers coverage options that include accidental damage repairs, extended warranty, and certified expert support at home and abroad. Eligible Galaxy mobile phone users running One UI 9 can also check their Galaxy Tab’s Samsung Care+ status and access related care services through the Warranty and care menu in Settings.

Turn your next idea into a masterpiece

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 Series is available online through Samsung.com, Lazada, TikTok Shop, Shopee, MemoX.com, and Abenson.com, Samsung Experience and Authorized Stores.

With the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra and Galaxy Tab S12+, every idea has the potential to become something more, bringing together the performance, creative tools, and flexibility to turn everyday work into a masterpiece.

For more info, visit Samsung Philippines Newsroom or Samsung.com.

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Maya returns to PBB Collab 3.0, Giving Mayamayans More Ways to Save Their Favorite Housemates

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New house, new Housemates, and more reasons to save! Maya returns as The Official Voting Partner of Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) Collab 3.0, giving Mayamayans the power to save their favorite Housemates while unlocking exclusive rewards and banking perks along the way.

This season brings a fresh twist to Bahay ni Kuya, with Housemates from the Kapamilya and Kapuso networks competing individually for the coveted Big Winner title. With new personalities, unexpected alliances, and exciting challenges ahead, fans can count on Maya to help them support their favorites every step of the way.

Representing the Kapamilya side are Robbie Jaworski, Nathan Garcia, Cianne Dominguez, Gehlee Dangca, Shea Valerio, Calix Esguerra, Jeo Ong, and Primo Alterado. Joining them from the Kapuso side are Anthony Constantino, Bela Arcal, Ethan Benares, Lans Nagal, Mikee Quintos, Nicole Fortuna, Raheel Bhyria, and Winwyn Marquez.

And with Maya back as the show's Official Voting Partner, supporting your favorite Housemate is just a few taps away.

First Vote? Maya's Got You!

Every vote counts, and with Maya, your first one comes with a little something extra.

New Mayamayans who sign up and upgrade their Maya account can enjoy 100% cashback on their first PBB vote, up to ₱50. That's more reason to show some love for your favorite Housemate, whether you're cheering for a familiar celebrity, rooting for a promising newcomer, or supporting the season's next breakout star.

Voting is easy! Simply open the Maya app, tap the PBB icon, choose your favorite Housemate, and cast your vote.

Save More with Maya, Support Your Favorites

Being a dedicated PBB fan doesn't mean putting your own savings goals on hold.

New Maya users can instantly unlock 15% interest p.a. when they deposit ₱1,000 from their Maya Wallet to Maya Savings in their first month. In the months that follow, they can continue earning up to 15% p.a. by completing qualifying everyday transactions. From paying bills and shopping online to making everyday purchases, Maya helps turn regular spending into opportunities to earn more on your savings.

Plus, new Maya Savings users can enjoy a FREE Maya Card with 1% cashback on every purchase when they open a Maya Savings account for the first time when they complete few qualifying activities, giving them another reason to kick start their savings journey.

Save or Spend? Maya Brings the Money Decisions Inside Bahay ni Kuya

The Maya experience doesn't stop at voting. Mayamayans can also look forward to the return of the much-anticipated Save or Spend task, where Housemates are challenged to make decisions that put their priorities, strategy, and teamwork to the test.

Beyond the fun and excitement, the challenge brings everyday money decisions into the spotlight, showing how choosing between saving and spending can make a difference.

New Season, New Favorites. Same Power to Save with Maya.

With a refreshed house, a new mix of personalities, and individual gameplay raising the stakes, PBB Collab 3.0 promises another exciting season for Filipino fans.

And whether you're cheering from home, joining the latest fan conversations, or casting that all-important vote, Maya makes it easier to support your favorites while getting more out of your money.

Catch Pinoy Big Brother Collab 3.0 on GMA Network every Monday to Friday at 9:35 PM, Saturdays at 6:15 PM, and Sundays at 4:55 PM. Fans can also stream the show on Kapuso Stream, ABS-CBN Entertainment's YouTube channel, and iWant.

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About Maya

Maya is the #1 Fintech Ecosystem in the Philippines, with Maya, the #1 Digital Bank, and Maya Business, the #1 Omni-Channel Payment Processor. Maya Bank is a digital bank regulated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), with deposits insured by the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) up to ₱1 million per depositor. To learn more about Maya, check out maya.ph and mayabank.ph. Follow Maya at @makeyourmoneymaya on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok and @mayaofficialph on Twitter.   

DTI Permits

• New-user 15% p.a. on Maya Savings Promo: DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-252802, Series of 2026
• 1% cashback on Maya Card purchases Promo: DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-265752, Series of 2026
• Free Maya Card Promo: DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-254638 Series of 2026
• “First Vote is Free” PBB promo: DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-271943 Series of 2026