Barbie Almalbis ignites a loving mosh pit in “Platonic” music video

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The visuals capture the chaos, clarity, and catharsis of true friendship in motion

Photo by Nina Sandejas

Filipino alt-rock icon Barbie Almalbis has dropped the official music video for “Platonic,” a standout track from her critically acclaimed fifth studio album, Not That Girl. Helmed by long-time creative partner and award-winning photographer Nina Sandejas, the video features a gritty glimpse into a night of sweat and sound at Mow’s—an underground music venue in Quezon City.

Set against the backdrop of Barbie’s recent performance at the iconic gig space, the video unravels a documentary-style montage of mosh pits, dance breaks, and crowd surfing—fueled not by angst, but by the deep joy of shared, meaningful experience in music. “I wanna see a pit… lovingly,” Barbie calls out before launching into the two-minute burst of cathartic energy that is “Platonic.”

“This song is about loving people fiercely, unconditionally, generously, vulnerably, in a non-romantic context,” shares Almalbis. “Platonic love has been so enriching in my life, and I’ve really felt much less alone because I have deep friendships to count on or because I can be a friend to someone. I think the world would be less lonely if more people would embrace its joys.”

The idea for the music video came to Sandejas after attending a series of metal shows and noticing the primal yet euphoric energy in the mosh pit. “When I saw Barbie was playing Mow’s, it hit me; we have to document this,” says Sandejas. “Barbie starting a riot? That’s exciting. But of course, it had to be done with love. That’s what makes this different.”

The end result is a raw, kinetic visual experience: a time capsule of the night where friendships collide in the most visceral way. “It was a rush,” adds Sandejas. “We stitched together this fast, chaotic blur of sweat and joy. My favorite moment? That loving pit Barbie asked for. She knew exactly how wild it would get and how to ground it in something beautiful.”

Produced by Nick Lazaro, “Platonic” is Barbie’s first foray into heavier territory. What began as a quiet acoustic sketch quickly transformed into a thunderous anthem, thanks to Lazaro’s instrumentation and contributions from Eclectic Kiss artists Faye Yu, Marika Laciste, Marj Roxas, and Pikoy on gang vocals. “I just said, Nick, I have something—can you make it metal?,” Barbie laughs. “He absolutely did.”

The inspiration for “Platonic” draws from C.S. Lewis’s The Four Loves, specifically his writing on friendship as a rate but vital form of love. In “Platonic,” Barbie’s lyrics explore this idea with honesty and edge, pushed into sonic overdrive through a surprising and exhilarating metal turn.

Watch the music video of Barbie Almalbis’ “Platonic” here.

Coca-Cola Philippines Expands PET Bottle Collection Program to Help Strengthen Recycling Efforts

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Coca-Cola Philippines builds on its ongoing sustainability efforts with the expanded rollout of its ‘Tapon to Ipon’ PET bottle collection program, marking an important step towards supporting local bottle collection infrastructure and helping accelerate PET bottle recovery efforts across communities.

The expanded Tapon to Ipon program consolidates Coca-Cola Philippines’ various bottle collection programs including the Tindahan Extra Mile (TEM) initiative into one program. With over 6,000 collection hubs now in operation nationwide, the initiative aims to make recycling drop off points more accessible to communities across the Philippines.

The initiative was officially relaunched with a community activation event on April 29, 2025, at Terra 28th in Bonifacio Global City (BGC), highlighting the importance of strong local engagement.

“Coca-Cola Philippines continues to innovate and improve our recycling systems to help address plastic waste,” said Tony del Rosario, President of Coca-Cola Philippines. “By expanding Tapon to Ipon, we are increasing collection and recycling access and reinforcing our commitment to partnerships that help deliver positive impact in local communities.”

Originally launched in 2021 by Coca-Cola Europacific Aboitiz Philippines (CCEAP), formerly Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines, Inc. (CCBPI), Tapon to Ipon has engaged sari-sari store owners, customers, government agencies, and local governments to recover post-consumer clear PET bottles.

“We are grateful to all our partners who continue to support collective environmental action,” said Gareth McGeown, CEO and President of CCEAP. “Strengthening collection and recycling infrastructure has always been a key goal of Tapon to Ipon, and its expansion underscores our shared mission to empower communities and create a more sustainable future for Filipinos.”

The program invites consumers to exchange used PET bottles—regardless of brand—for Coca-Cola product rewards at designated collection hubs, including sari-sari stores and special pop-up booths at major local events such as the Sinulog Festival in Cebu City and Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo City.

Coca-Cola’s expanded initiative officially kicked off with a Tapon to Ipon booth activation on April 29, 2025, at Terra 28th in BGC, showcasing the importance of strong community engagement.

At the Tapon to Ipon activation in BGC, attendees dropped off their empty PET bottles and joined the “Dunk, Not Junk” shooting hoops game for a chance to win Coca-Cola merchandise, refreshing products, and other exciting prizes.

The aim is to bring the collected bottles to PETValue Philippines, the country’s first food-grade bottle-to-bottle recycling facility located in General Trias, Cavite. PETValue Philippines, a joint venture between CCEAP and Indorama Ventures, plays a critical role in turning post-consumer PET bottles into new food-grade recycled PET (rPET) packaging.

To date, CCEAP has reached over 170 cities and municipalities nationwide. The program has also been recognized at the FMCG Asia Awards, Quill Awards, and Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, underscoring its significant contribution to promoting more sustainable practices and responsible waste management.

Incentivizing community recycling systems

As an expanded part of the program, which now incorporates the Tindahan Extra Mile program, sari-sari store and carinderia owners will also become empowered to be rewarded for their recycling efforts.

Implemented in partnership with Basic Environmental Systems and Technologies, Inc. (BEST) and the Philippine Association of Stores and Carinderia Owners (PASCO), participating micro-retailers collect PET plastic bottles and other recyclables from their communities and can earn points based on the volume of materials they gather. They can use these points to redeem cash or products through the bXTRA app.

Tapon to Ipon underscores the company’s ongoing commitment to sustainability. By partnering with micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), retailers, private organizations, and local government units, the company continues to build a strong network of collection hubs that make recycling more accessible and engaging for communities across the country.

Hundreds of collection points have been established across the Philippines to make recycling more accessible to communities. To find the nearest collection point, visit the interactive map at: https://www.coca-cola.com/ph/en/brands/coca-cola/sustainability

Charge anywhere you are with the ligthweight CHERRY Speed Charge Powerbank

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Over the years, we have become dependent on using our phones for multiple reasons—communicating with people outside our reach, working or studying, and entertaining ourselves when we catch a break. With this, our mobile devices require charging even on the go. Powerbanks should be as lightweight as possible since our phones tend to be heavy. With the CHERRY Speed Charge Powerbank, you can get fast charging even with a lightweight design!

Charge whenever, wherever with the CHERRY Speed Charge Powerbank. Despite its compact size, it features a powerful 10,000mAh battery that keeps your devices charged without the worry of running out of power. Equipped with fast charging technology, it delivers quick and efficient performance.

Its slim and lightweight design makes it easy to carry wherever you go. For added convenience, it comes with two built-in connectors—Type-C and Lightning—and a mini-LED display to indicate the remaining power level. It's the perfect companion to keep you charged on the go.

Keep the CHERRY Speed Charge Powerbank in your pocket anywhere you are—get one now for only PHP 1,299!

For more information, visit:

CHERRY Shop: www.cherryshop.com.ph

Shopee: https://bit.ly/CherryPhShopee

Lazada: https://bit.ly/CherryPhLazada

21st National Buntis Day Empowers Expectant Moms with Vital Maternal Health Education

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Learn how Calciumade, Hemarate FA, and Obimin Plus contribute to maternal health throughout every stage of pregnancy

The wonder of bringing life into the world forever serves as a powerful testament to the inspirational strength, resilience, and courage of women. However, mothers understand that the labor and delivery process is much more than childbirth. Pregnancy is a long and taxing transformative journey that involves different challenges and uncertainties.

Celebrating motherhood and wellness: Expectant moms across the Philippines gather for the 21st National Buntis Day, with Unilab brands championing better health for every mom and baby.

For the 21st National Buntis Day, expectant moms were reminded that they are not alone in their pregnancy journey. The Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society (POGS) celebrates this special day every year on March 10 to focus on the health and well-being of pregnant women. This year, Buntis Day was celebrated all over the country, with events happening in different places like Cagayan de Oro, Las Piñas, and Mandaluyong. It was a meaningful day filled with support, care, and helpful information for moms-to-be.

This year, together with POGS, Calciumade, Hemarate FA, and Obimin Plus emphasized the importance of maternal health throughout different stages of pregnancy, particularly the key roles of bone, joint, and blood health as well as their significance in the baby's brain development. As part of the initiative, pregnant women were given access to free pre-natal check-ups and ultrasounds, as well as a free pre-natal class courtesy of POGS. Unilab also provided free bone density and anemia screenings, underscoring the campaign’s commitment to holistic maternal care.

The Buntis Day program was a vibrant and empowering event filled with meaningful activities. Highlights included informative talks on antenatal care, immunization for pregnant women, and breastfeeding, equipping moms-to-be with practical knowledge for a healthy pregnancy journey. The event also featured the heartwarming Miss Buntis Day Pageant, celebrating the beauty and strength of expectant mothers, and the Liwanag Advocacy, which shed light on important maternal health issues and encouraged supportive community involvement.

This year, POGS mounts the sessions in collaboration with Biofemme, the women’s health subsidiary of UNILAB. Together with POGS, Calciumade, Hemarate FA and Obimin Plus emphasized the importance of maternal health throughout different stages pregnancy, particularly the key roles of bone, joint and blood health as well as its significance in the baby's brain development.

According to the DOST FNRI Expanded National Nutrition Survey 2021, 97% of Filipinos are calcium deficient. The shocking figure becomes even more concerning given how pregnant women require increased calcium for their baby’s bone development and their own bone health and flexibility. Adequate calcium intake during pregnancy supports the baby’s growth while helping prevent bone density loss in mothers. Alongside proper diet and exercise, Minerals + Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3): Calciumade® helps address this deficiency with the right levels of Calcium, Vitamin D3 for strong bones, and essential minerals for joint flexibility.

Meanwhile, Iron + Pyridoxine (Vit B6) + Cynocobalamin (Vit B12) + Folic Acid: Hemarate® FA aids in the production of new red blood cells to oxygenate the body, restore alertness and liveliness, prevent neural tube defects in babies, and maintain normal homocysteine levels in the blood.

These are especially important given that babies rely on their mothers’ red blood cells for growth and development, especially in the last 3 months of pregnancy. The body also requires more iron to support the increased blood volume and the baby’s development. To help address the common pregnancy concern of Iron Deficiency Anemia, Hemarate FA presents 60mg of elemental iron, the recommended amount according to the Department of Health. The supplementation supports overall blood health, ensuring both the mother and baby receive adequate oxygen and nutrients for healthy growth and development.

Lastly, Multivitamins + Minerals + DHA + EPA: Obimin® Plus features a combination of DHA & EPA that supports a baby’s rapid brain and eye development, while also decreasing the risk of pregnancy complications. It contains a high amount of folic acid for the prevention of neural tube defects as well as vitamins and minerals to help boost immune function during pregnancy. Designed for both prenatal and postnatal care, this supplement provides key nutrients to support mothers throughout pregnancy and lactation.

The 21st National Buntis Day serves as a powerful reminder of how important it is for moms and moms-to-be to understand the different aspects of maternal care. From pre-natal to post-natal, pregnancy is no easy journey—and women deserve all the support they can get for their health and for their babies. With the help of proper guidance and essential supplements like Calciumade, Hemarate FA, and Obimin Plus, and proper consultations from OB-Gynes, they can take better care of themselves every step of the way.

Enjoy the benefits of Calciumade, Hemarate FA, and Obimin Plus by integrating them into your maternal health routines. Learn more by following https://www.facebook.com/CalciumadePH, https://www.facebook.com/HemarateFAPH, https://www.instagram.com/hemaratefa/, and https://www.facebook.com/ObiminPlusPH.

Learn more about the right pregnancy practices and health tips by consulting your OB-Gyne and by following https://www.facebook.com/pogsphilippineobgynsociety.

Championing human-centered AI in the workplace: GCash chief people officer recognized among Southeast Asia’s top 100 HR leaders

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The chief people officer of GCash, Robert Conrad Gonzales joins this year’s 100 Most Influential HR Leaders from Southeast Asia, an annual awarding of top HR executives who have made exceptional contributions to leadership, innovation, and transformation in the HR industry. Recipients of this prestigious citation are selected based on social media influence, engagement, industry awards, community impact, thought leadership, and pioneering HR practices. It also considers the impact of HR initiatives on revenue growth and overall market influence.

GCash chief people officer Robert Conrad Gonzales has been recognized as one of the 100 Most Influential HR Leaders in Southeast Asia at the ET Future Forward Southeast Asia Series 2025

Gonzales believes that artificial intelligence (AI) is meant to improve the productivity of their employees rather than replace them. Gonzales, who is the highest-ranking Human Resources (HR) officer of GCash, affirmed the company’s unwavering commitment to putting people first in the age of automation. GCash is the Philippines’ leading finance app and largest cashless ecosystem, and an innovative fintech company that has already received several recognitions as one of the best companies to work for.

“HR should champion automation and lead in adapting to technology, including AI, because our people need it, our employees rely on it,” said Gonzales. “If we do this right, our people will become more productive and serve our customers even better. Invest in people, champion leadership development, and embrace innovation. The future belongs to organizations that prioritize their people as their greatest asset.”

Recognized for his contributions to the HR landscape, Gonzales was awarded during the recently held Future Forward Philippines 2025, which was organized by The Economic Times, the second most widely read English language business daily after The Wall Street Journal.

   (L–R) Cebu Pacific Air chief human resource officer Felix Dan Lopez, Globe Telecom Inc. chief human resource officer Renato Manuel Jiao, GCash chief people officer Robert Conrad Gonzales, and ETHRWorld/ETEducation features editor Yasmin Taj, who served as the moderator

 

Driving business transformation or becoming obsolete in the age of AI?

During the whole day of the event, Gonzales was in the panel discussion titled ‘The Great Debate of HR at a Crossroads: Driving Business Transformation or Becoming Obsolete in the Age of AI?’ He was joined by other HR icons—Cebu Pacific Air chief human resource officer Felix Dan Lopez, Globe Telecom Inc. chief human resource officer Renato Manuel Jiao, and ETHRWorld/ETEducation features editor Yasmin Taj, who served as the moderator.

Looking to the future, Gonzales sees artificial intelligence as a game-changer in transforming how organizations approach leadership development. “AI-powered talent identification and predictive analytics will revolutionize how we discover and grow high-potential leaders,” he said. “We’re also leaning into personalized, AI-driven learning paths that adapt to each employee’s growth trajectory because in a market that changes overnight, static development models just don’t cut it.”

GCash is already putting these innovations to work. “We’re expanding our use of AI-driven career development tools and enhancing our leadership programs with real-world business simulations,” Gonzales shared. “This enables us to gauge better readiness, drive engagement, and close skill gaps faster than ever.”

To ensure these efforts yield a measurable impact, GCash is tracking leadership transition rates, retention of high-potential talent, and post-transition business performance. Continuous feedback loops and engagement surveys are utilized to refine strategies and ensure succession pipelines remain future-ready.

Putting people first in an AI-powered workplace

Gonzales shared that GCash’s AI efforts stem from a deep commitment to employee well-being and operational excellence. He explained that AI doesn’t just enhance customer experience but also makes employees happier by improving their welfare.

“We have a strong commitment to keep our people happy and engaged,” Gonzales said. “Many of our AI innovations are driven by employee needs. For example, team members want faster and more accurate processing of benefits and allowances. That’s why we developed an AI-powered tool called AGA.”

AGA, which stands for Alagang GCash Assistant, is a Gen AI-powered tool that automates and streamlines employee benefits processing. From wellness allowances to flexible benefits processing, AGA enables faster, error-free transactions.

Gonzales leaves HR leaders with a pointed message: “HR is no longer a support function but rather a strategic driver of growth. Invest in people. Champion leadership development and embrace innovation in workforce planning. The organizations that do this will be the ones leading tomorrow.”

For more information, visit www.gcash.com.