SB19 turns monumental concert into lasting legacy in Simula At Wakas: Kickoff Concert Album

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Recorded across the two-day concert in Philippine arena, the 19-track live album captures a defining moment in P-Pop history

P-Pop phenomenon SB19 has released Simula At Wakas: Kickoff Concert Album, a live recording of tracks from their two-day concert at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan on May 31 and June 1, 2025. The album redefines a new era of boldness and ambition in SB19’s music, further elevated by the group’s undeniable world-class performance.

Mixed and mastered by Radkidz, with live arrangements by Jem Florendo, the 19-track album features live performances of songs from Simula At Wakas (2025), Pagtatag! (2023), and Pagsibol (2021), alongside the concert version of the fan-favorite single “Moonlight.”

Originally featuring US-based producer/DJ Ian Asher and Chinese electronic producer Terry Zhong, “Moonlight” takes a more restrained, but more soulful direction in its live iteration. For this version, the subdued arrangement places SB19’s vocals front and center, offering a more intimate take on the track.

“The live version of Moonlight is absolutely one of our favorites from the new record,” SB19 shares. “By keeping the production minimal and letting our voices lead, we found something more honest and human. Sometimes, less is more.”

Recorded during the opening stops of their Simula At Wakas world tour, the concert album reflects the Filipino group’s evolution on an artistic and emotional level. The two-night spectacle set the tone for a 21-show tour spanning cities and territories across the United States, Canada, Taiwan, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Australia, and more.

“These versions reveal who we are now,” the P-Pop powerhouse adds. “Everything was done with intention, but also with openness, allowing the moment to shape the performance. This album represents years of hard work, discipline, and belief, and we wanted it to feel alive and heartfelt.

Check out the track list:

1. WHAT? (Simula At Wakas Tour Kickoff)

2. MANA (Simula At Wakas Tour Kickoff)

3. GENTO (Simula At Wakas Tour Kickoff)

4. MOONLIGHT (Simula At Wakas Tour Kickoff)

5. I WANT YOU (Simula At Wakas Tour Kickoff)

6. WYAT (Simula At Wakas Tour Kickoff)

7. DUNGKA! (Simula At Wakas Tour Kickoff)

8. BAZINGA (Simula At Wakas Tour Kickoff)

9. 8TONBALL (Simula At Wakas Tour Kickoff)

10. CRIMZONE (Simula At Wakas Tour Kickoff)

11. NYEBE (Simula At Wakas Tour Kickoff)

12. TIME (Simula At Wakas Tour Kickoff)

13. ILAW (Simula At Wakas Tour Kickoff)

14. QUIT (Simula At Wakas Tour Kickoff)

15. MAPA (Simula At Wakas Tour Kickoff)

16. SHOOTING FOR THE STARS (Simula At Wakas Tour Kickoff)

17. FREEDOM (Simula At Wakas Tour Kickoff)

18. SLMT (Simula At Wakas Tour Kickoff)

19. DAM (Simula At Wakas Tour Kickoff)

In addition to the album release, SB19 announced the official conclusion of their landmark world tour with “Wakas At Simula: The Trilogy Concert Finale,” happening on April 18 at the SMDC Festival Grounds. Tickets are anticipated to go on sale in February 2026.

SB19’s Simula At Wakas: Kickoff Concert Album is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment.

Follow SB19 on their socials:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm4v7afBTnJKRm4SlfHJzyg

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SB19Official/

X: https://twitter.com/SB19Official

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialsb19

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@officialsb19

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Addressing the brain drain: SM group brings higher education to the region

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Home to more than 84,000 students, National University’s (NU) presence in seven cities outside of Metro Manila has not only expanded access to higher quality education but also access to professional opportunities.

NU Cebu

These seven provincial areas include NU Bacolod, the university’s first campus in the Visayas, which has 96% local employees and the remaining are from other campuses who moved to Bacolod. NU Laguna has 99% local employees; NU Baliwag has 98% local employees; NU Dasmarinas has 96% with 4% transferees; NU Lipa has 98% local employees, and NU Clark has 97% local employees. NU Cebu, which opened this academic year, has 100% local hires.

NU’s presence especially in the provinces allows professors and students to access quality education and employment without leaving their hometown. The university’s standardized compensation package across its campuses attracts talent while helping address brain drain in the provinces.

“We bring talent back to the provinces. NU offers a standardized salary matrix applicable to all our employees across the country. This approach has helped NU make our recruitment more appealing to applicants in provincial regions,” NU President and CEO Dr. Renato Carlos Ermita said.

NU President and CEO Dr. Renato Carlos Ermita

Strengthening local ecosystems for work and enterprise by aligning education, labor, and development policies is necessary in combating the deepening inequality between urban and rural areas. SM’s expanding social footprint, in which most NU campuses are located, helps local communities retain their education talent, reinforcing access and contribution to the social economy. This underscores SM’s vision of responsible development of its host communities.

“NU is part of SM’s corporate social responsibility. By allowing the campus to be a part of the SM community, accessibility is achieved and affordability is maintained. Transportation hubs are also located near most of the mall-based campuses, allowing safety and convenience for the students and employees,” Dr. Ermita further shared.

Back home

In NU Cebu, one of Cebu’s returning locals is the campus’ Executive Director Johanna Minglana who shared, “We have all local hires, with three of us returnees from NU Manila where we were based when NU Cebu was not yet opened. NU Cebu gave me the opportunity to come full circle in my birthplace after decades of growing up in Manila while continuing my academic career.”

She shared how her sentiment also resonates with the faculty and employees, “they shared how working at NU Cebu has allowed them to pursue meaningful careers without having to leave their families or communities. They speak of a better sense of purpose—being able to contribute to nation-building through education while remaining rooted in the culture and values of their hometown. Our stories are not isolated—they reflect a broader impact of NU Cebu’s commitment to regional development and talent retention.”

The Cebu campus, according to Executive Director Minglana, is a testament to how NU embodies SM’s vision of being a catalyst for community development. “Having been in the NU system since 2012, I’ve seen how our goals align with SM’s broader purpose. What keeps me here is the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of our students and to contribute meaningfully to the development of my hometown. It’s a privilege to be part of a transformative journey that uplifts not just individuals, but entire communities.”

For Executive Director Minglana, NU Cebu’s presence in a local community like Cebu goes beyond education. “It stimulates the local economy by creating jobs—not only within the university but also in surrounding businesses such as food establishments, boarding houses, transportation services, and retail. Our students, faculty, and employees contribute to the vibrancy of the local economy through their daily needs and activities in a fun, safe, and secure place.

As the university celebrated its 125th founding anniversary, its quasquicentennial year, recently at the SM MOA Sky, thousands of NU alumni attended the event. This, as NU aims to continue providing its students, eventually graduates, with world class and life-ready education to enable them to be competitive in whatever arena they are in, provincial or otherwise.

Canon Philippines Launches Canon PhotoMarathon 2026, Camera Prizes Up for Grab

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Canon Marketing Philippines, Inc. brought together media partners, brand ambassadors, and the professional creator community to recognize shared milestones and usher in a new chapter of creative possibilities during its annual Thanksgiving Celebration held on January 27, 2026. The event also marked the official launch of Canon PhotoMarathon 2026.

The Canon PhotoMarathon, a photography competition originally launched in Singapore in 2003, has since grown into a regional phenomenon across multiple countries, including Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines. Now in its 19th year in the Philippines, the Canon PhotoMarathon continues its legacy, challenging participants to create compelling visuals under time pressure and based on assigned themes.

This year, Canon PhotoMarathon 2026 also spotlights its video category, which encourages participants to express their stories through motion, sound, and narrative.

Ace Porlet, Manager of CII Marcom and Activations at Canon Marketing (Philippines), Inc., presents the Canon Photomarathon 2026 mechanics to media and community partners.

Anuj Aggarwal, President & CEO of Canon Marketing (Philippines), Inc., delivers opening remarks at the Canon Photomarathon 2026 launch and thanksgiving event on January 27, 2026, at Revel at the Palace, BGC.

The competition, scheduled for April 18, 2026, at BGC Amphitheater, Taguig City, is open to professionals, hybrid creators, camera club members, students, and photography enthusiasts. Various categories are also open to non-Canon users.

Media, past Photomarathon winners, and members of the Canon community celebrate new creative possibilities at the official launch of the Canon Photomarathon 2026.

How to join:

1. Download the Canon PH Delightful app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
2. Create an account.
3. Go to the Events tab and select the Canon PhotoMarathon banner.
4. Tap Register and wait for the confirmation prompt.

Contest categories and prizes:

● Main Category (Photo)

○ Open to: Canon users only

○ Prize: Canon EOS R6 Mark III with RF24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM

● Open Category (Photo)

○ Open to: All camera brands

○ Prize: Canon EOS R8 w 24-50MM

● Video Category

○ Open to: All camera brands

○ Canon Prize Winner: Canon EOS R50 V

○ Non-Canon Prize Winner: Canon Powershot V1

To gear up for PhotoMarathon 2026, creators are invited to visit the Canon booth at PhotoWorld Asia 2026, happening from January 29 to February 1. Attendees can enjoy exclusive deals and freebies worth up to ₱20,000 on select Canon camera products.

Along with this, from February to March 2026, Canon will host photowalks, school tours, and regional tours leading up to the main PhotoMarathon event, all designed to engage photographers at every skill level. Admission is free and open to all digital camera users.

For more details on upcoming PhotoMarathon activities, follow Canon Philippines at https://www.facebook.com/canonphils/.

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About Canon in the Philippines

Canon is a multibillion-dollar company with one of the most extensive product lines of digital imaging devices. 2020 marks the company’s 35th consecutive year it has been ranked among the top five U.S. patent holders and the 16th consecutive year it has been ranked first among Japanese companies for the number of U.S. patents granted. It continues to enrich lives through technological innovation.

Guided by its commitment to its Kyosei philosophy of living and working together for the common good, Canon provides total imaging solutions to improve personal and professional lives. The brand ranks as one of the top 20 brands in the region according to a 2018 study conducted by Campaign Asia-Pacific and Nielsen thanks to its strong reputation on performance and good corporate citizenship.

Canon Marketing (Philippines), Inc. has offices spread across the Philippine archipelago supported by its vast network of authorized service centers. Recognitions and awards received include the Corporate Award and Gold Bagwis Seal of Excellence for providing distinctive service to customers.

Canon Marketing Philippines reaffirms its dedication to sustainability, integrating eco-friendly practices across all its operations and product lifecycle, striving for a greener future for generations to come.

More information and images are available at the Press Center section at https://ph.canon/en/consumer/press. For any queries about products and services, you may call our customer care hotline at 63-2-884 9000.

Welcome the Year of the Horse with Big Deals in OPPO’s 2.2 Chinese New Year Sale

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Charge into the Year of the Horse with speed, strength, and smart upgrades. This Chinese New Year, OPPO invites you to celebrate new beginnings, fresh momentum, and good fortune with its 2.2 Sale, packed with lucky deals, exclusive vouchers, and generous freebies.

From February 1 to 6, 2026, enjoy big savings on your favorite OPPO devices, from everyday essentials to premium flagships, available on Shopee, Lazada, TikTok Shop, and OPPO’s official online store.

Auspicious Savings with OPPO’s All-Day Vouchers

Bring in good fortune with these exciting deals with OPPO’s All-Day Vouchers via Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop—all applicable without minimum spend for the following devices:

● PHP 100 off on all variants of OPPO A3

● PHP 200 off on OPPO A5i

● PHP 500 off on OPPO A6 Pro

● PHP 500 off on OPPO Enco X3s

● PHP 500 off on OPPO Reno12 F 4G/5G

● PHP 800 off on OPPO A6x

● PHP 1,000 off on OPPO A5

● PHP 1,000 off on OPPO Pad SE WiFi/LTE

● PHP 1,000 off on OPPO Reno14 Series 5G

● PHP 1,500 off on OPPO A5i Pro

● PHP 2,000 off on all variants of OPPO A5 Pro

● PHP 2,000 off on OPPO Find X9

● PHP 2,000 off on OPPO Reno12 5G & OPPO Reno12 Pro 5G

● PHP 3,000 off on OPPO Reno13 Series

You can also get PHP 1,000 off the OPPO A6x through OPPO’s Livestream-Exclusive Vouchers, with no minimum spend.

More discounts await with PHP 500 off on the OPPO A5x with a minimum spend of PHP 3,999, and PHP 3,000 off on the OPPO Find X8 with a minimum spend of PHP 19,999.

Enjoy exclusive deals on Lazada and TikTok Shop

Make your shopping spree even sweeter with the following platform-exclusive perks on Lazada and TikTok Shop:

Lazada

● PHP 2,500 off on all variants of OPPO A5 Pro

TikTok Shop

● PHP 1,000 off on all variants of OPPO A5x

Enjoy freebies with every purchase

Top off these 2.2 deals with freebies with every purchase of the following:

● Free OPPO Enco Buds3 with every OPPO Reno14 Series 5G purchase

● Free OPPO Pad SE Case with every OPPO Pad SE WiFi/LTE purchase

● Free Keyboard & Case (Black) with every OPPO Pad Neo WiFi/LTE purchase

● Free OPPO Enco Buds3 Pro with every OPPO Find X9 purchase

Flexible payment terms for guilt-free shopping

Purchase your OPPO device without strain on your budget with these flexible payment terms:

● On Lazada - up to 0% interest installment for 3 months via LazPayLater

● On Shopee - 0% interest for 3 months via SPayLater

● On TikTok Shop - 12 months installment via TikTok PayLater

Even More Fortune at the OPPO Online Store

Get more exclusive benefits in the official OPPO online store—with vouchers redeemable using OPPOints via the My OPPO App, plus free shipping and freebies with every purchase.

OPPO Earbuds

● PHP 200 voucher – 500 OPPOints

● PHP 500 voucher – 1,000 OPPOints

● Free Shipping

OPPO Tablets

● PHP 300 voucher – 500 OPPOints

● PHP 500 voucher – 1,000 OPPOints

● PHP 1,000 voucher – 2,000 OPPOints

● Free Shipping

● Comes with OPPO Enco Buds3 + 1-Year Extended Warranty

OPPO Smartphones Below PHP 10,000 (excluding OPPO A3x, OPPO A5i, OPPO A5x and OPPO A3)

● PHP 100 voucher – 500 OPPOints

● PHP 200 voucher – 1,000 OPPOints

● PHP 500 voucher – 2,000 OPPOints

● Free Shipping

● Comes with OPPO Enco Buds3 + 1-Year Extended Warranty

OPPO A Pro Devices

● PHP 300 voucher – 500 OPPOints

● PHP 500 voucher – 1,000 OPPOints

● PHP 700 voucher – 2,000 OPPOints

● Free Shipping

● Comes with OPPO Enco Buds3 + 1-Year Extended Warranty

OPPO Reno Series Devices

● PHP 1,000 voucher – 500 OPPOints

● PHP 1,500 voucher – 1,000 OPPOints

● PHP 2,000 voucher – 2,000 OPPOints

● Free Shipping

● Comes with OPPO Enco Buds3 + 1-Year Extended Warranty

OPPO Find Series Devices

● PHP 1,500 voucher – 500 OPPOints

● PHP 2,000 voucher – 1,000 OPPOints

● PHP 2,800 voucher – 2,000 OPPOints

● Free Shipping

● Comes with OPPO Enco Buds3 Pro + One Free Movie Ticket (to claim within three months, valid exclusively at Bonifacio High Street Central Square Mall Cinema – Standard Cinema)

Celebrate the Year of the Horse Right with OPPO

OPPO’s 2.2 Sale is your lucky chance to welcome the Year of the Horse with powerful devices, meaningful savings, and festive freebies. Shop from February 1 to 6 on Shopee, Lazada, TikTok Shop, and OPPO’s official online store.

To know more about OPPO’s 2.2 Chinese New Year Sale, check out OPPO Philippines’ official website at www.oppo.com/ph/ and Facebook page.

To get the best care for OPPO devices, visit the nearest OPPO Care Center or contact us on our website, via Facebook.

Entrepreneurs, professional KOLs back MOVE IT’s “Keep Moving” promise as a smart urban mobility choice

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Entrepreneurs and corporate content creators are backing MOVE IT’s new brand promise, “Keep Moving,” sharing a common sentiment during a panel discussion: they don’t have time to be stuck.

Host Alex Sy speaks to podcast host and lifestyle influencer Stephanie Zubiri, medical professional and commercial model Phil Gomez, and actress and entrepeneur Wilma Doesnt in an engaging discussion on how urban achievers need smart mobility options in navigating metro gridlocks.

Podcast host and lifestyle influencer Steph Zubiri and model-actor Phil Gomez spoke about how traffic can disrupt productivity and steal time from building both their work and personal lives. "For me it takes away peace of mind. Time for myself. Because no matter what, I will give 100% to everyone. 100% to my work, 100% to my kids, 100% to my partner, 100% to my parents. Matanda na rin parents ko. So actually, all my time goes to them. 'Pag may traffic, I sacrifice myself,” shared Zubiri.

"'Pag nasa biyahe ka, 'yung focus mo actually nade-drain na ko. Alam niyo 'yung feeling na gusto mo na lumipad 'yung sinasakyan mo para makarating ka on time. So pagdating mo na kung sa'n ka man, ubos na 'yung energy mo. Actually, ang pinaka-ayaw ko doon is 'yung late ako kasi as much as I value and respect my time, ganoon din ako sa ibang tao,” said Gomez.

With packed calendars filled with meetings, deadlines, shoots, client calls, and errands, the group pointed to MOVE IT as a smart mobility choice for urban achievers who need to protect momentum and make the most of every hour.

The message reflects a reality many commuters know too well: based on TomTom’s Traffic Index data for Metro Manila in 2025, motorists can lose around 143 hours a year in rush-hour traffic, which is equivalent to five days and 23 hours spent waiting in congestion.

Multi-hyphenate celebrity and entrepreneur Wilma Doesnt also took part in the discussion as the headliner of MOVE IT’s “Keep Moving” campaign. Through a humorous, fast-paced online ad, she captures a familiar commuter reality—that when your day is full, being stuck in traffic cannot be your normal commute. The campaign speaks directly to urban commuters looking for a smarter way to move through Metro Manila.

https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSa4TUHs5/

Wilma shared that MOVE IT enables its users to efficiently manage their day amid the current traffic situation in the metros. "Mag-adjust, mag-adapt, at hindi kinakailangan na 'yung traffic ang magco-corrupt ng oras ninyo for the day. At hindi rin p-pwede na 'yung traffic ang nagiging dahilan para masira 'yung purpose mo for the day or to steal your joy for the day...so let's start using MOVE IT. Let's adapt. Ito na 'yung time natin para makauwi tayo ng safe and sound sa ating mga pamilya,” said Wilma.” I choose to keep moving with MOVE IT because I make time for what I choose to have in my life. That's why I choose MOVE IT.” Steph added to this by sharing that MOVE IT allows her to have better control of her time. "I choose to keep moving with MOVE IT because I only have one precious life. I don't want to waste a moment of it,” she said.

The panel’s takeaway reinforces the platform’s push to be a smart mobility option in urban centers’ evolving mobility mix. “Keep Moving is our promise that MOVE IT is the smart mobility choice that is built to help commuters move forward safely, reliably, and with professionalism they can trust,” said Wayne Jacinto, General Manager of MOVE IT.

Leading the introduction of MOVE IT’s new brand promise were MOVE IT General Manager Wayne Jacinto, Wilma Doesnt, Steph Zubiri, Phil Gomez and MOVE IT Rider-Partner and Community Leader, Racma Macato-on Talib

MOVE IT’s “Keep Moving” promise is powered by a combination of industry-leading and platform-exclusive reliability tools — like intelligent trip routing and rider matching — in-app safety safeguards, and a community of professional rider-partners. Together, these help commuters cut through gridlock in metro cities with greater confidence and peace of mind.

On reliability, MOVE IT highlights platform features aimed at improving trip efficiency and reducing waiting time, so commuters can get served more effectively and keep their day on track. Among these features is GrabMaps and Navigation, which helps deliver accurate ETAs, smarter pick-up and drop-off points, and routing that adapts to real-time road conditions. The platform also uses Back-to-Back Bookings, which searches for and assigns a rider’s next booking before the current trip is completed to reduce idle time between rides.

On safety, MOVE IT points to tech-enabled safeguards and in-app tools such as Trip Monitoring and Share Your Ride, which are designed for real moments on the road, supported by rider accountability systems and community-led standards. Rounding out the promise is professionalism, powered by MOVE IT’s rider quality standards, which reinforces screening, training, hygiene, and service discipline for its rider-partners.

This was attested to by Zubiri, who, in the panel highlighted that, “What I love (is that) the people who I’ve encountered really take their jobs seriously. They really are professionals. They want to have good reviews. To me that is the value that MOVE IT brings – their riders are educated, they feel empowered, and there’s a level of professionalism you won’t find anywhere else.”

“Keep Moving is our promise to commuters that MOVE IT is the smart mobility choice that is built to help you move forward safely, reliably, and with professionalism you can trust,” said Wayne Jacinto, General Manager of MOVE IT.