Security Bank grows its Luzon network with Angeles–Friendship Branch

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Security Bank has inaugurated its Angeles – Friendship Branch, further expanding its footprint in Central Luzon and bringing its signature BetterBanking experience closer to the community. The Angeles-Friendship Branch is the Bank’s 360th location, opened just ahead of the Naic branch in September, bringing the total network to 361 branches and counting.

Security Bank opens its 360th branch in Angeles – Friendship, Pampanga (L-R): Ronald Austria, SVP and Branch Banking Luzon Distribution Head; Rowena Pangilinan, FVP and Area Head; Oh Jong Geun, Vice President, Korean Community Association - Central Luzon; Ignacio Enriquez, President of Enrod Manufacturing Corp. and Currey International; Leslie Cham, EVP and Branch Banking Group Head; Sandra Nepomuceno, President of MST Max Security Agency; Mariano Tan, Corporate Treasurer of Hausland Development Corp.; Hon. Mayor Carmelo “Jon” Lazatin, City Mayor of Angeles City; Father Among Norman Vitug, Parish Priest of Jesus the Eternal Word Parish; Hon. Vice Mayor Amos Rivera, City Vice Mayor of Angeles City; Raffy Angeles, City Administrator of Angeles City; Ferdie Uy, FVP and Region 4 Head, and Stephanie Canda, Business Manager of Angeles-Friendship Branch

“We've reimagined the traditional branch experience to provide a seamless blend of personal and digital interactions. From sleek, low counters that promote transparency and accessibility to our integrated digital platforms that enable fast, secure, and convenient transactions – every detail is crafted with our clients in mind,” says Leslie Y. Cham, EVP and Branch Banking Group Head of Security Bank.

Located in one of Pampanga’s busiest urban centers and a key access point to the Clark Freeport Zone, the Angeles–Friendship branch is positioned to provide convenient access to a full suite of financial solutions for both residents and businesses in the area. The new branch underscores Security Bank’s commitment to expanding in high-growth provincial markets, ensuring customers enjoy personalized service and seamless banking experiences that blend in-branch care with digital convenience.

The Angeles – Friendship Branch is open Mondays to Fridays, from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm.

For more information on Security Bank’s latest products, services, and branch locations, visit www.securitybank.com or follow Security Bank on social media.

Globe Champions Care for Pets with PAWS and Pettr

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Pets are part of many Filipino homes and found families today, and their well-being has become just as important. Globe wants to make pet care essentials accessible to every Filipino pet parent, strengthened by its partnership with Pettr, the country’s first all-in-one digital pet care platform. Globe is integrating pet wellness into everyday connectivity. Through its Go+99 offers, subscribers receive a ₱100 discount voucher for teleconsultations with licensed veterinarians and other vital services, helping pet-parents access the services they need.

Recognizing the opportunity to authentically demonstrate its commitment to animal care and welfare, Globe, in partnership with the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), a non-profit, volunteer-based organization dedicated to sheltering rescued animals, preventing animal cruelty, and promoting the humane treatment of animals, is also launching a series of pet-care initiatives, beginning with employee engagement programs such as volunteer activities, donation drives, and awareness campaigns to support PAWS’ advocacies.

The initiative kicked off with Volunteer Day last September 25, 2025, at the PAWS Shelter in Katipunan, Quezon City, where up to 50 Globe employees donated pet-care amenities and spent the day feeding, cleaning, and reading to the shelter’s cats and dogs. This hands-on experience reflects Globe’s belief that care begins within, living out the same values of compassion and community that the company advocates externally.

“This initiative is about showing our people and our partners that care is not just a campaign - it’s a culture,” said Roche Vandenberghe, Chief Marketing Officer at Globe. “We try to uplift Filipino lives everyday at Globe and with pets as part of people’s found families, we’re extending that culture of care into everyday life, making sure that even our customers’ companions receive the attention and support they deserve.”

With these efforts, Globe continues to evolve as more than a connectivity provider, fostering a culture of care within its own community. By celebrating pets as part of Filipino homes, Globe affirms that compassion lives in everyday bonds that truly matter.

To learn more, please visit https://www.globe.com.ph/.

Personal Collection bags awards at the Asia ESG Business Awards for biodegradable packaging, #GreenLifeGreatLife Movement

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Personal Collection Malaysia Managing Director Elaine Too receives the Green Solutions Award and the Initiative Award – Philippines Environmental Impact during the ESG Business Awards ceremony held at The Westin Kuala Lumpur

Personal Collection (PC), one of the leading Filipino-owned direct-selling companies, continues to champion sustainable innovation with its recent win at the ESG Business Awards for its Biodegradable Packaging program under the Green Packaging Solutions category and its #GreenLifeGreatLife Movement under the Initiative Award - Philippines Environmental Impact.

In 2021, PC took a bold step in becoming the pioneer of biodegradable packaging in the Philippines, and has since then encouraged households to transition from recyclable packaging to biodegradable alternatives, demonstrating its commitment to driving sustainability forward.

This initiative has enabled quicker breakdown of packaging under landfill conditions, preventing over 7,900 tons of plastic waste from polluting the environment.

In research conducted by the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA), an estimated 164 million sachets are consumed daily in the Philippines, accounting for 52% of the country’s residual plastic waste. Due to its archipelagic geography, the country is also vulnerable to ocean pollution and is the third largest contributor to ocean plastic pollution.

As part of its commitment to addressing plastic pollution, PC revolutionized the packaging of its products by transitioning to biodegradable materials. Bio additives are used to help microbes break down plastic surfaces naturally within five to ten years, leaving no harmful residues on the planet.

Aside from the biodegradable solutions, the #GreenLifeGreat Movement also includes initiatives such as coastal and community cleanups, tree-planting activities, and educational and awareness programs for employees, dealers, and communities.

Recognized for its excellence, this movement was also lauded by the Anvil Awards, Stevie International Business Awards, and Araw Values Awards. Additionally, PC’s Home Care Natural products were honored at the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards.

PC has also consistently championed women entrepreneurship and employee engagement through targeted empowerment initiatives, earning accolades from the Philippine Quill Awards.

The ESG Business Awards, headquartered in Singapore, is an award-giving body that honors organizations in Asia at the forefront of sustainability and those showing a commitment to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices. You can explore the award-winning products and other offerings by visiting their official website at https://www.personalcollection.com.ph/.

Big Bad Wolf Books Kicks Off the BER Months with a Massive Book Sale Adventure in Filinvest Tent, Don’t Miss the Last Leg in the Metro

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Kick off the festive season early with amazing deals to fill your shelves with new books!

The BER months are here, and Big Bad Wolf Books is giving readers a festive reason to celebrate early! Running until October 13, 2025, at The Filinvest Tent in Metro Manila, this massive book sale brings over two million titles to Metro Manila’s South. From bestsellers and TikTok favorites to timeless classics and inspiring reads, every book lover can find something to kick off the season of giving in the best way possible—with stories to share.

Whether you’re starting your holiday shopping early or simply adding to your own collection, the Wolf is ready to help you hunt for the perfect reads and deals before the season rush begins.

Start the BER Months with New Reads and Early Gifts

As the Big Bad Wolf Books Sale enters its final days at the Filinvest Tent, now’s the time to get a head start on your BER-month book hunt.

From TikTok-famous novels like the ‘The Friend Zone’ by Abby Jimenez to interactive children’s stories like ‘JJ'S Busy Day (Cocomelon)’ by Maria Le, Big Bad Wolf’s shelves are stacked high with titles to match the warmth and wonder of the season:

JJ’s Busy Day

Author: Maria Le

Original Price: Php 1,150

BBW Price: Php 440

The Friend Zone

Author: Abby Jimenez

Original Price: Php 800

BBW Price: Php 340

The Korean Book of Happiness

(Hardcover)

Author: Barbara J. Zitwer

Original Price: Php 1,300

BBW Price: Php 500

The Night Road

Author: Kristin Hannah

Original Price: Php 850

BBW Price: Php 400

Joy at Work

Author: Marie Kondo and Scott Sonenshein

Original Price: Php 1,386

BBW Price: Php 400

The Brothers Hawthorne

Author: Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Original Price: Php 1,359

BBW Price: Php 560

Whether you’re looking for inspiration, laughter, or a spark of creativity, there’s a book waiting to set the tone for the months ahead. Every story is a small celebration — and every turn of the page brings the holidays a little closer.

From thoughtful presents to personal goals, these last days are the perfect opportunity to fill your shelves and your gift lists with stories that inspire, entertain, and comfort.

The season’s best book deals, from heartwarming novels and business bestsellers to children’s picture books and holiday-themed stories, are waiting to be discovered.

Hunt, Shop, and Win Big in the Raffle!

Shoppers can make their Big Bad Wolf Books Sale experience even more exciting with the limited-time raffle promo, where every P5,000 spent in a single receipt earns one raffle entry. Submit your receipt and entry at the Raffle Booth located in the Customer Service area.

Prizes up for grabs:

● Minor Prize: IKEA bookshelf with decals plus 100 books worth P300 each

● Major Prize: An iPad for the ultimate reading and digital experience

● Grand Prize: A 3-day getaway for two with hotel stay included

Winners will be announced on October 11, 2025, at 11:45 PM, so don’t miss your chance to hunt, shop, and win big before the Wolf howls goodbye!

Sharing Stories to Change Lives

Beyond the excitement of the sale, Big Bad Wolf Books continues its advocacy of promoting literacy and accessibility through its Red Readerhood Program.

Caritas Manila, is one of the country’s largest non-profit organizations dedicated to alleviating poverty through education, livelihood, and social services. Through the Red Readerhood booth at the sale, visitors can donate books directly to Caritas Manila, helping bring the joy of reading to families and communities in need.

Visitors can take part in this meaningful cause by purchasing any book at the Sale and donating it at the Red Readerhood Booth, located near the checkout counters. Shoppers simply select a book, pay and inform the cashier that it’s for donation, and drop it off at the booth where it will later be turned over to Caritas Manila.

To help more people understand the cause, Caritas Manila also has a dedicated booth at the event, where guests can drop by to learn more about the organization’s advocacy and ongoing programs that uplift communities through education and social development.

Through this simple yet powerful act, every visitor has the chance to share the joy of reading with families and communities in need. Each purchase and donation made at the Big Bad Wolf Book Sale fuels this shared mission of changing the world, one book at a time.

Don’t Miss the Final Days of the Filinvest Sale

Big Bad Wolf Books’ Alabang sale is roaring through its final stretch, and this is your last chance to start the BER months with books, bargains, and boundless fun.

● Venue: The Filinvest Tent, Alabang

● Dates: Until October 13, 2025

● Hours: Monday–Thursday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM | Friday–Sunday: 10:00 AM – 12:00 Midnight

Admission is free, so bring your pack, bring your lists, and bring your holiday spirit — because the Wolf won’t be in town for long! For more information on upcoming sales and updates, visit Big Bad Wolf Books’ website or follow their official social media pages on Facebook and Instagram.

CICC, GCash strengthen alliance for intensified campaign against cyber fraud

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Recognizing the continuous need to safeguard Filipinos from rising online fraud and scams, the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), the lead agency under the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) tasked with combating cybercrime, has forged a stronger alliance with leading finance app GCash to boost cyber protection for digital financial services.

(L-R) Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) director IV Alvin Navarro and undersecretary Renato “Aboy” Paraiso inks Memorandum of Agreement with Mynt, parent company of GCash represented by group head for new businesses Winsley Bangit, chief legal officer Atty. Maricor Alvarez-Adriano, and G-Xchange Inc., head of legal Atty. Gilbert Escoto

Through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), this partnership strengthens incident response and information sharing. It also supports the government’s capacity-building programs to further enhance cyber resilience.

The agreement was signed by CICC Usec. Renato “Aboy” A. Paraiso, who was joined by Dir. Alvin M. Navarro and Dir. Rojun V. Hosillos, together with other CICC officials. Representing GCash were Mynt’s (parent company of GCash) group head for new businesses, Winsley Royce Bangit, chief legal and compliance officer, Atty. Maricor Alvarez-Adriano, G-Xchange Inc., head of legal, Atty. Gilbert Escoto, with the support of GCash head of advocacy, Atty. Mark Anthony Amurao, Mynt’s chief information and security officer, Miguel Geronilla, and vice president and head of corporate communications and public affairs, Gilda Maquilan.

Emphasizing the importance of public-private collaboration, Undersecretary Paraiso noted, “Cybersecurity is not the responsibility of the government alone—it requires strong collaboration with industry leaders like GCash. Through this partnership, we are sending a clear message to cybercriminals that we are united in protecting Filipinos and will relentlessly pursue those who seek to exploit our digital economy. Together, we are building a safer and more resilient cyberspace where trust and innovation can thrive.”

The collaboration comes at a time when digital platforms are increasingly targeted by fraudsters. With stronger cooperation between the government and the private sector, both CICC and GCash are committed to reinforcing user protection and building greater trust in the country’s digital ecosystem.

For its part, GCash has been taking proactive measures, successfully blocking over 4 million fraudulent accounts and taking down thousands of malicious posts. These efforts will be further strengthened and complemented by CICC’s expertise, enabling GCash to better protect users who rely on digital services for their everyday transactions.

The partnership represents a vital step in the ongoing efforts of GCash to achieve its vision of financial inclusion while securing its users. “This partnership with CICC also serves as a compelling reminder that we must continue improving and innovating to protect our customers from ever-present cyber threats and other types of scams,” Atty. Alvarez-Adriano said.

With its continued focus on safety and innovation, GCash, together with the government, affirms its role in enabling every Filipino to safely participate in the digital economy with confidence and peace of mind.

For more information, please visit www.gcash.com.

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