From Philippines to the World: Cebuana leads the charge in Red Bull Dance Your Style 2026

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After years of persistence and three hard-fought attempts, Cebu’s own Sam Rivera, known in the community as NEMESIS, has emerged as the Philippines’ top freestyle dancer, earning her place on the global stage in Los Angeles.

She claimed the 2025 Red Bull Dance Your Style Philippines National Finals crown in front of her hometown crowd, a moment she described as “a dream come true.” The win propelled her to the World Finals, where she broke into the Top 16, solidifying her position among the world’s elite freestyle dancers.

Fighting Through the Struggles

NEMESIS’ journey began in Cebu’s krump community, shaped by local battles, long training sessions, and a tight-knit dance scene. Her Red Bull Dance Your Style story unfolded over three years: Top 8 in the 2023 Cebu qualifier, a near-win at nationals in 2024, and finally, her breakthrough in 2025.

“The moment that changed me most was being in the finals last 2024. That experience made me look at myself differently — it was proof that I could win this competition because I made it as far as the finals. It humbled me, pushed me to train deeper, and made me realize that growth doesn’t always come from winning,” NEMESIS said. Each setback sharpened her discipline, pushing her to build not just strength and stamina through daily conditioning with her dance crew training, but also adaptability through freestyle labs where unpredictability became her greatest teacher.

Behind the scenes, her preparation went beyond physical exercises. NEMESIS balanced endurance training with mental conditioning, grounding herself through visualization, prayer, breathing exercises, and self-review to stay centered under pressure. That inner strength allowed her to dance with clarity and purpose, trusting instinct over pre-set moves and letting her honest emotions guide every dance battle.

“This year, the biggest difference was my mindset and maturity as a dancer. In my previous battles, I was focused on trying the experience and just enjoying it,” said NEMESIS. “This time, I came in with a goal, more self-awareness, confidence, and trust in my own style.” Her victory became the culmination of discipline, faith, and unwavering belief in her craft, strengthened by the support of family, friends, and her hometown community.

Carrying Filipino Freestyle to the Global Arena

From local qualifiers to the World Finals, NEMESIS proved that Filipino dancers can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the best. Performing in Los Angeles challenged and inspired her, reinforcing the strength of Filipino freestyle on the global stage. “The moment I heard the crowd respond to my first round and saw dancers from other countries hyping and reacting, at that moment, I truly felt that Filipino dancers don’t just belong on that stage — we can be on par with the other international dancers,” NEMESIS said about her experience during the Red Bull Dance Your Style World Finals 2025. “You don’t need to change who you are to compete globally. Your roots are your strength. The world stage rewards authenticity. If you carry your story with confidence and discipline, you belong anywhere,” she added.

“Growing up in Cebu’s krump and street dance community gave me my foundation and identity. The scene here is raw, passionate, and very family-oriented. It taught me discipline, respect for the culture, and how to express real emotion through movement,” NEMESIS shared. Her balanced mix of technique, instinct, and commanding stage presence reflects both krump culture and the heart of Red Bull Dance Your Style’s freestyle identity. “Red Bull Philippines didn’t just create a competition; they created a platform for us dancers for growth. Through Red Bull Dance Your Style, I was exposed to different styles, cities, and high-level dancers that pushed me beyond my limits. It made me realize that my dreams are possible through their movement.”

A Symbol of Confidence and Community

As one of the few women dominating a traditionally male-led krump scene, NEMESIS has embraced the role of breaking barriers. “Being visible as a female dancer in this scene isn’t always easy, but the way Red Bull Philippines highlighted the culture and the dancers made me feel supported. That support encouraged me to step out more boldly, take opportunities I might have been afraid of before, and represent myself and other women with more openness and pride,” she explained.

“Being a woman in krump pushed me to become a dancer who’s both powerful and intentional. I embraced my own texture, emotion, and storytelling. That combination shaped a style that’s aggressive when it needs to be, but also expressive and controlled,” she said. Her presence has resonated with audiences and fellow dancers alike, highlighting how strength, femininity, and identity can coexist in freestyle battles. “When young women see me on that stage, I want them to feel like they belong there too, and it’s possible even in a male-dominated scene,” she shared. NEMESIS’ journey continues to inspire the Philippines’ tight-knit street dance community, showing how shared energy, creativity, and support can push local talent toward global recognition.

Summing up her experience being a part of Red Bull Dance Your Style, NEMESIS shared, “It’s expanded my world. More than exposure, it gave me responsibility and reach to represent my roots, my style, and my country on a global level.” NEMESIS was awarded Asian Krumper of the Year in 2025 and was nominated as Worldwide Female Krumper of the Year by FCD Awards. She credits Red Bull Dance Your Style as playing a big role in achieving these recognitions.

Opening the Floor for Red Bull Dance Your Style 2026

NEMESIS’ journey sets a new benchmark for Red Bull Dance Your Style 2026, with the competition already underway, with Titan emerging victorious in the Cebu qualifiers and Ian Paul securing the runner-up position, both earning their spots in the upcoming national finals. Bringing the next nationwide qualifier in Davao on February 21, then finally Manila in March.

“I hope my journey shows Filipinos that you don’t need to come from a big scene or have perfect resources to reach the world stage. What matters is consistency, faith, and love for dance,” she said. “Trust your body’s instinct and enjoy your performance. Train hard, but don’t lose your love for the dance and purpose. Learn to accept losses, protect your mental health, and trust your preparation. If you stay present and true to yourself, the results will take care of themselves.”

Red Bull Dance Your Style 2026 calls on street dancers of all styles—hip-hop, popping, krump, waacking, and open choreo—to take the floor. Who will rise to represent the Philippines next?

Support the next generation of Filipino dancers and follow the Red Bull Dance Your Style 2026 qualifiers across Cebu, Davao, and Manila. For more information and updates, visit the official Red Bull website and its social media pages (Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Tiktok).

Photos Provided by Red Bull Content Pool

Ben&Ben releases “Duyan” music video starring Khalil Ramos and Gabbi Garcia

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The song completes the ‘Mahiwaga trilogy,’ which includes hit songs “Pagtingin” and “Araw-Araw”

Ben&Ben continued to solidify their status as one of the most important voices of OPM in 2025. The acclaimed band made history as the first Filipino act to surpass three billion streams on global streaming platform Spotify, while also earning major wins at the 28th Awit Awards, including Album of the Year for their third studio album, The Traveller Across Dimensions and Best Performance by a Group Recording Artist for "Triumph.” As the year drew to a close, Ben&Ben’s music found itself intertwined with national consciousness when “Kapangyarihan,” their collaboration with SB19, emerged as a modern anthem in protest spaces, echoing public anger amid allegations of corruption surrounding flood control and infrastructure projects.

Now, as they turn the page to a brand-new year, the multi-awarded nine-piece collective invites listeners to start the year on a more intimate yet optimistic note with the release of their new single “Duyan”—out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment.

Written and composed by frontman Miguel Benjamin and produced by longtime collaborator Ziv alongside Ben&Ben, “Duyan” represents a profound, romantic bond that defies distance, time, and obstacles. The rousing pop-rock ballad encapsulates what true love really means: deep affection, unwavering loyalty, and the choice to remain committed even when faced with challenges and adversities.

According to Miguel, he wrote the song three days before his wedding, while sitting alone in his car. The song contains everything he wanted to tell his then-future wife.

“There are songs where artists write themselves in the music, and this is one of them,” Miguel explains. “That day, the idea of fully offering oneself to another person stayed with me. It’s a love inspired by lifelong commitment, shared journeys, and selflessness. More than anything, I realized that I was ready to make the promise before God. I felt it in the deepest part of my heart.”

Musically, the band worked closely with their good friend and constant collaborator Ziv to honor the song’s emotional core, while “maximizing the soul and expanse of the band’s instruments to take it to the fullest version it was meant to become.”

The song is part of the Mahiwaga Trilogy, Ben&Ben’s thematic arc on romantic relationships. The series began with “Pagtingin,” a groovy meditation on love at first spark and infatuation, and continued with “Araw-Araw,” a folk-pop ode to choosing your partner every single day. “Duyan” closes the chapter with finality, speaking of lifelong commitment and assurance.

“Two years after I wrote the song Duyan and kept it as a very personal part of my life, it made sense for it to be put out there,” shares Miguel. “It also made sense for it to be the conclusion of the trilogy of songs/videos Pagtingin and Araw-Araw.”

Music Video

The song will be accompanied by the release of a music video starring real-life couple and actors Gabbi Garcia and Khalil Ramos, who also appeared in the previous installments of the Mahiwaga Trilogy. For Khalil, returning to the project was a full-circle moment for both Gabbi and him.

“Thematically, it’s beautiful to see how the story progressed since Pagtingin,” shares the Filipino actor, singer, and filmmaker. “I vividly remember how we shot those two videos, and the film LSS. Gab and I grew alongside these songs. At every stage of the trilogy, we could deeply relate to it, because it reflected the different phases of our own relationships through the years.”

Miguel praised both actors in the music video for their enduring role in the band’s visual storytelling. “It was so good to be able to work with our longtime friends Gabbi and Khalil once more in this music video. You could say we’ve both grown so much in life and in our careers ever since the last project we did together. It was great catching up and telling stories of the past and making new memories.”

Directed by Lunchbox Studios under the helm of Daniel Aguilar, the wedding-themed music video brings the trilogy to a close through rosy, introspective visuals.

Ben&Ben said viewers can expect to see a wonderful blend of magic and everyday life in the music video: “We’ve been working with (Lunchbox Studios) for a while now, and for this video, we wanted to do a very intimate but expansive conclusion to the videos we’ve done before. We collaborated on a concept of a portrayal of the stages of commitment done in magical realism.”

Ben&Ben’s “Duyan” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment. Watch out for the music video of “Duyan” on Ben&Ben’s official YouTube channel.

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vivo X300 Series introduces seamless phone PC workflow

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The modern workday no longer lives on a single screen. Ideas start on a phone, grow on a laptop, and travel wherever work takes us.

With the vivo X300 Series, vivo brings all of that into harmony through vivo Office Kit, a powerful suite of cross-device tools designed to erase the gap between smartphone and computer and turn fragmented workflows into one smooth, uninterrupted experience.

For professionals juggling emails, documents, photos, and meeting notes across devices, the pain is all too familiar.

Files get trapped on the wrong screen. Transfers depend on cables, cloud apps, or unstable connections. Momentum gets lost. vivo Office Kit steps in to replace that chaos with clarity.

One screen, two devices

With Remote PC, users can mirror their vivo X300 Series smartphone screen directly on a Mac or Windows computer in real time. During video conferences or focused work sessions, this means replying to messages, viewing notifications, or sharing files from your phone without ever picking it up.

Your computer becomes the command center, while your phone quietly supplies everything you need behind the scenes. The result is a cleaner desk, fewer distractions, and a workflow that feels almost telepathic.

No cables, no limits

vivo Office Kit also introduces Free Transfer, which enables fast, offline file sharing between phone and PC. Whether or not you are connected to Wi-Fi, your photos, documents, and media can move freely between devices.

 https://www.tiktok.com/@vivo_philippines/video/7591464326741904661

Paired with Task Handoff, you can start a task on one screen and continue it on another without missing a beat. Write meeting notes on your PC, then pick up your phone to scan documents, snap photos, or add materials. Once you reconnect, everything flows back to your computer automatically, keeping your work unified and up to date.

Ideas that follow you

Inspiration does not wait for you to be at your desk. With Notes Sync, whatever you jot down on your vivo X300 Series is instantly reflected on your computer. Take photos of slides at an industry event, capture whiteboard sketches during meetings, or record key points on the go. The moment you sit back down, those notes are ready for editing, organizing, and sharing.

Notes Multi-Device Collaboration takes this even further. You can join online meetings from your phone, record important data in the Notes app, then return to your computer to expand those notes into full meeting minutes, attach files, and send them to your team. Everything updates automatically, across devices, without manual transfers.

With the vivo Office Kit, the vivo X300 Series transforms into a true productivity hub, bridging mobile and desktop into one seamless digital workspace. Files stay synchronized, tasks stay connected, and users stay in control.

vivo delivers a simpler, faster, and more powerful way to get things done, whether you are working from home, in the office, or on the move.

Priced starting at Php 67,999, the vivo X300 Series is available in vivo concept stores nationwide and online via vivo e-store, Lazada, and Shopee.

Security Bankers raise funds for 41 scholars through year-end, employee-led initiatives

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Security Bankers rallied together at the close of 2025 to raise funds for 41 scholars under the Regalo Mo, Kinabukasan Ko (RMKK) scholarship program, through a series of employee-led initiatives held during the Bank’s year-end celebrations.

Security Bank employees participating the holiday marketplace at 

Security Bank Head Office in Makati City

Implemented in collaboration with the Bank’s Learning and Engagement Division, the initiatives generated donations for Security Bank Foundation, Inc. (SBFI), supporting the educational needs of the Bank’s agency personnel—including security guards, janitors, messengers, and drivers—as well as their children.

Employees also extended their support through SBFI’s Adopt a Scholar campaign, contributing in various forms including cash, Cheers Points (the Bank’s employee recognition rewards), and Security Bank Credit Card Rewards points. Through these collective efforts, 41 RMKK scholars were adopted for School Year 2025–2026.

“This is a testament to how collective generosity can change lives,” shared SBFI Chairman Rafael Simpao, Jr. “Every contribution brings our scholars closer to realizing their dreams and building better futures for themselves and their families.”

The impact of the initiative was felt during the Christmas season, when adopted scholars wrote letters to their sponsors to express their gratitude and reaffirm their commitment to completing their education.

Trina Ortega, Employee Engagement Lead of Security Bank’s Learning and Engagement Division, shared a particularly moving moment when the mother of an RMKK scholar— herself a bank security guard—visited the office to personally express her appreciation for the opportunity given to her daughter.

Through the continued collaboration between Security Bank and Security Bank Foundation, employee-led initiatives remain a meaningful avenue to expanding access to education and uplifting the communities the Bank serves.

To learn more about Security Bank Foundation’s commitment to education, visit www.securitybank.com/foundation.

Ipon made fun: Build better money habits by gamifying your savings

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Saving money is a common goal for Filipinos, especially at the start of the year. Many set aside money for everyday priorities like home improvements, a car downpayment, or building an emergency fund, while some save up for other big-ticket goals like trips abroad or gadget upgrades. However, as weeks go by, the motivation can quickly fade. An article by Yahoo Finance notes that some people often struggle with saving challenges because of unrealistic goals and lack of instant gratification – making it harder to stay committed over time.

One creative way to address this challenge is through gamification, or the use of simple game elements like challenges, goals, and rewards in everyday activities. When applied to saving, gamification makes the experience more engaging, motivating, and easier to sustain.

Gamification works by breaking down large financial goals into small, achievable wins. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by long-term targets, savers focus on completing manageable steps. Each milestone creates a sense of progress and activates the brain’s reward system, releasing dopamine that helps reinforce habits and keep motivations high.

Here are some simple money saving challenges you can try:

The financial milestone card

Inspired by loyalty stamp cards used by coffee shops, this challenge involves creating your own milestone card with a fixed amount per step. For example, you can start simple and set 10 steps worth PHP 1,000 each. Every time you complete a step, you mark it off. To keep motivation high, you can reward yourself at the halfway points – perhaps a movie ticket or a meal at your favorite cafe – before pushing through to your final goal.

The 52-week challenge

This classic saving challenge remains popular because it is simple, structured, and time-bound. You decide on a weekly amount to save and consistently set it aside for all 52 weeks of the year. For a more advanced version, you can try the descending amount version, where you’ll save a higher amount at the start of the year and gradually decrease it over time. For example, saving PHP 5,200 in the first week, PHP 5,100 the following week, and so on can help you build PHP 137,800 by year-end.

Money bingo

For those who prefer variety, money bingo offers a fun and flexible approach. Create a bingo card filled with financial tasks and milestones, such as depositing random amounts into your savings account, completing your emergency fund, or automating a bill payment. Each completed task earns you a mark on the card. You can reward yourself with a small treat every time you complete an entire row or column to keep the challenge enjoyable.

Digital tools can also help these good money habits stick. High interest savings accounts like CIMB Bank Philippines’ UpSave account supports these challenges by allowing Filipinos to keep their savings separate from daily spending while growing their money securely. Even with small and irregular deposits, this account offers competitive interest rates – up to 5.6% interest per annum until January 31, 2026 – and can be opened in less than 10 minutes through a fully digital process. (Terms and conditions apply.)

Another useful digital tool is CIMB Bank PH’s Own My Goals (OMG) feature, which can also be found in the CIMB Bank PH mobile app. With OMG, account holders can create multiple savings goals that can be easily tracked. Each goal can be linked to the desired CIMB savings account with an auto-save feature that can help build up the discipline needed to achieve any financial goal. To make saving even more fun, the name and design theme per goal can be customized as well. Customers will also be encouraged to stick to their goals with regular prompts and a convenient built-in milestone tracker.

By making saving interactive rather than intimidating, gamified challenges help Filipinos build confidence and control over their finances. This year, saving money doesn’t have to feel overwhelming – it can instead feel achievable, empowering, and even fun.

To know more about CIMB Bank PH’s suite of savings products, visit cimbbank.com.ph