Grab and MOVE IT partner with ARK, drive urban food security among rider communities

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Grab Philippines and MOVE IT have partnered with social impact innovator ARK Solves to launch a community-led food security program aimed at helping gig worker communities build more sustainable and self-reliant food sources.

Nearly 1,000 Grab delivery-partners and MOVE IT rider-partners have signed up in the pilot rollout of the ARK’s flagship community exchange program ‘Feed Back’

At the center of the partnership is Feed Back, ARK Solves’ flagship community exchange program that enables families to grow fresh produce at home and share excess harvests with their neighbors, helping strengthen food access at the community level.

The collaboration comes amid continuing concerns over food security in the Philippines. While government data showed food inflation easing to 0.7 percent in January 2026, down from 1.2 percent in December 2025 and 4.0 percent a year earlier, the Department of Agriculture said the gains remain fragile and could easily be undone by renewed supply disruptions[1].

Grab Philippines Managing Director Ronald Roda shares: “Grab remains committed to helping our driver- and delivery-partners and their families stay resilient in the face of shifting macroeconomic realities. Beyond ensuring that livelihood opportunities on our platform remain viable, we believe it is equally important to introduce support programs that reinforce their long-term well-being. Through our partnership with ARK Solves, we hope to help more gig worker families build more sustainable lives and greater food security for the future.”

The partnership was formally launched with the support of the local government units of Montalban, San Mateo, and Antipolo in Rizal, where the program will be piloted among Grab and MOVE IT’s rider community. So far, almost 700 community leaders and rider-partners from the platforms have signed up and begun receiving seeds, along with training on how to grow food and compost even in small spaces.

“Community has always been at the heart of MOVE IT. Our rider-partners look out for each other, and we see that every day in how they support one another on and off the road,” highlights MOVE IT General Manager Wayne Jacinto. “Our role is not just to recognize that strong sense of solidarity, but to help harness it, so riders can come together and co-create sustainable programs that support their everyday needs.”

Over the course of the 16-week program, participating riders will help expand access to fresh produce within their households and communities. Once harvests are ready, they will lead weekly exchange activities in their neighborhoods, allowing families and neighbors to share surplus crops with one another.

“This partnership is a major milestone, as we work with Grab and MOVE IT in showcasing how we can enable Feed Back’s impact to thrive wherever it is needed the most, including urban areas,” says Ayesha Vera-Yu, CEO and Co-Founder of ARK.

By combining behavior-change principles with a market-based approach, Feed Back helps families build and sustain productive home gardens that strengthen access to localized food sources. The program, which gathers multiple partners, has since scaled to 120 communities across the country, benefiting more than 36,000 fishing and farming households.

Following the initial rollout, Grab, MOVE IT and ARK Solves plan to expand the program to more driver- and rider-rich communities in the months ahead, applying lessons from the pilot to improve the model as it scales.

About Grab

Grab is a leading superapp in Southeast Asia, operating across the deliveries, mobility and digital financial services sectors. Serving over 700 cities in eight Southeast Asian countries - Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam - Grab enables millions of people everyday to order food or groceries, send packages, hail a ride or taxi, pay for online purchases or access services such as lending and insurance, all through a single app. Grab was founded in 2012 with the mission to drive Southeast Asia forward by creating economic empowerment for everyone, and strives to serve a triple bottom line: to simultaneously deliver financial sustainability and have a positive social and environmental impact in Southeast Asia.

About ARK Solves

ARK is an award-winning social impact innovator. With over 120+ partner communities and over 200,000 lives impacted, ARK has become the go-to food security solution in the Philippines, proving that hunger can be solved for good.

For more information, email info@arksolves.org and visit fb.com/ARKSolves for latest updates.

[1] https://www.da.gov.ph/da-eyes-supply-fixes-to-head-off-food-inflation-pressure/remains

Home Credit Philippines Encourages Customers to Seek Early Support for Payment Concern

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Home Credit Philippines (HCPH) is encouraging customers to reach out early if they encounter payment difficulties, underscoring the company’s continued commitment to responsible lending and customer care.

Through its Payment Support Program, Home Credit works with customers experiencing temporary financial challenges to explore practical repayment arrangements suited to their situation. The program is a standing support service available to all customers and forms part of the company’s broader approach to helping Filipinos maintain financial stability throughout their loan journey.

Whether dealing with medical expenses, employment transitions, or unexpected family needs, customers may coordinate directly with Home Credit representatives to discuss available options designed to keep repayment plans manageable.

In 2025 alone, more than 30,000 customers accessed Home Credit’s payment support services, reflecting growing awareness of the importance of early communication in managing financial obligations.

“Behind every payment is effort and commitment,” said Wojciech Krotoszynski, Head of Collections at Home Credit Philippines. “Our role is to listen, understand our customers’ situations, and work with them to find solutions when circumstances change. When customers reach out early, we are better able to support them and help them stay on track.”

Home Credit emphasizes that seeking assistance early can help prevent temporary financial challenges from becoming more difficult burdens. By coordinating proactively, customers may: 

• Discuss flexible payment arrangements for a defined period
• Maintain alignment with their longer-term financial plans
• Identify practical repayment solutions with company support

Customers who wish to learn more about payment assistance options may contact Home Credit through:

• Our official Home Credit website at www.homecredit.ph
• Official customer support channels
• Verified company representatives

As one of the country’s leading consumer finance providers, Home Credit Philippines continues to strengthen programs that promote responsible borrowing, financial resilience, and accessible support for Filipino customers. 

About Home Credit 

Home Credit Philippines is the leading consumer finance company in the country, backed by Bank of Ayudhya Public Company Limited (Krungsri), the fifth largest bank in Thailand, and Security Bank Corporation, one of the most trusted and leading universal banks in the Philippines. 

Now in its 12th year, Home Credit has served over 12 million Filipinos and financed more than ₱400 billion worth of loans through a diverse portfolio that includes installment financing, cash loans, credit cards, and Qwarta, a virtual spending limit. 

Registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and regulated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Home Credit continues to drive financial inclusion by expanding access to credit and transforming the consumer finance landscape. The company was named Best Finance Company of the Philippines in 2024 by the Asian Banking & Finance (ABF) Retail Banking Awards. 

More information on HCPH is available at www.homecredit.ph.  

 

GCash, Careem Pay partnership enables faster remittances for Filipinos in UAE

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The Philippines’ leading finance superapp GCash has partnered with Careem Pay, a digital payments service available within the Careem app, to enable faster and more reliable money transfers for overseas Filipinos living in the UAE.

Following the official signing between GCash and Careem Pay at Careem's head office in Dubai, users can now send money directly to GCash wallets in the Philippines, making transfers to family and friends faster and more convenient.

(L-R) general manager for GCash International Arjun Varma, and Careem Pay vice president Mohammad El Saadi

Through this direct integration, users in the UAE can now avoid the delays often associated with traditional bank transfers and the inconvenience of visiting physical remittance centers. Transfers settle within minutes, with funds credited straight to the recipient’s GCash app for immediate access.

Designed for Filipino expats who regularly support loved ones back home, the partnership focuses on making remittances simpler, more dependable, and easier to complete. By enabling direct wallet-to-wallet transfers, Careem Pay and GCash help ensure that funds reach recipients quickly and without unnecessary steps. To send money from the UAE to the Philippines, users simply need to download the latest version of the Careem app, select Pay on the home screen, and follow the steps under the Send Abroad tab.

First transfers made easier for first-time users

To mark the launch of the partnership, Careem Pay is offering a special promotion for transfers to the Philippines. Users can receive AED 20 cashback and enjoy zero fees on their first transfer by entering the code GCASH20, while Careem Plus members can benefit from exclusive rates on Careem Pay.

Arjun Varma, General Manager for GCash International said, “Sending money home is one of the most meaningful things our customers do with Careem Pay. For many Filipino expats, it’s about supporting loved ones, covering school fees, or helping parents with everyday expenses.”

“By integrating directly with GCash and adding cash pickup across nearly 15,000 locations, we’ve made the process simpler, faster, and more reliable, with most transfers now reaching their families in the Philippines within minutes,” said Mohammad El Saadi, Vice President of Careem Pay.

With faster and more reliable digital remittance options, GCash empowers overseas Filipinos in the UAE to send money home with confidence and ease. For more information, please visit www.gcash.com. To learn more about Careem Pay, visit www.careem.com/en-AE/pay.

DITO Offers Free Calls to Help Filipinos Connect with Loved Ones in the Middle East

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In response to the ongoing conflict affecting parts of the Middle East, DITO Telecommunity is offering free calls to help Overseas Filipinos and their families stay connected during this time of uncertainty.

The initiative supports the Philippine government’s efforts to ensure Filipinos abroad and their loved ones back home remain connected and informed during times of crisis.

“Filipinos are connected not only by family, but by technology,” said Ernesto R. Alberto,

President and Chief Executive Officer of DITO Telecommunity. “We stand with the Philippine government in supporting and protecting our kababayans abroad. DITO remains committed to weaving Filipino communities together wherever they may be through reliable connectivity.”

From March 9 to 13, 2026, DITO subscribers roaming in select Middle East countries will receive a one-time allocation of up to five (5) minutes of free incoming calls from DITO numbers in the Philippines. Standard roaming call rates will apply after the free five-minute allocation.

The assistance covers Filipinos in Bahrain, Kuwait, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, and Lebanon.

“Moments like these remind us that access to communication and information should never be out of reach,” said Adel Tamano, Chief Commercial Officer of DITO Telecommunity. “At DITO, we believe connectivity is essential—especially when it allows families to check on one another and stay safe.”

The initiative reflects DITO’s continuing commitment to nation-building and to supporting

Filipinos wherever they may be, ensuring that distance never stands between families when they need each other most.

Customers who may need assistance placing calls may also visit DITO Experience Stores at SM Megamall and SM North EDSA.

Experience no bad weather with vivo V7

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Weather and lighting often determine whether a photo captures the perfect mood. A cloudy sky, harsh sunlight, or fading daylight can easily change the atmosphere of a shot. As smartphone photography continues to evolve beyond simple documentation, creators are looking for smarter ways to control these elements.

The vivo V70 removes the waiting game with its AI Magic Weather feature, allowing users to adjust the weather and atmosphere within the same scene, transforming everyday shots into more expressive visual creations.

Thalia turns one portrait into four different stories

Beauty and lifestyle creator Thalia Balmes explored vivo V70's creative flexibility through portrait photography, demonstrating how a single image can tell different visual stories depending on the scene's mood.

“One portrait. Four different moods. Captured with ZEISS Telephoto Portrait and transformed using AI Magic Weather on the vivo V70. Literal na no extra editing apps needed,” she shared.

Morning Glow 

Clear Sky

Evening Glow 

Twilight

For creators like Thalia, the ability to explore multiple moods from one portrait opens up new creative possibilities, without the need for complex editing tools.

Klervin reimagines city with different atmospheres

Beyond portraits, creators are also discovering how AI Magic Weather enhances urban and architectural photography.

Lifestyle and travel creator Klervin Fernando used the vivo V70 to photograph a city building and experimented with different weather settings to reshape the scene’s atmosphere. By adjusting the sky and lighting conditions, the same building can appear under a bright clear sky, a warm sunset glow, or a darker twilight mood.

This flexibility allows photographers to reinterpret everyday locations and experiment with different visual narratives from a single capture.

Turning one scene into multiple creative possibilities

The AI Magic Weather feature offers several atmospheric presets that instantly change the weather of a photo.

Watch this  video: 

https://www.tiktok.com/@vivo_philippines/video/7615573578515320085?_r=1&_t=ZS-94ZZ7ejy6yt

● Clear Sky creates a bright and refreshing look ideal for outdoor and travel shots.

● Morning Glow adds soft, warm tones that enhance natural light.

● Evening Glow introduces richer shadows and sunset hues for a more cinematic feel.

● Twilight shifts the scene into a darker, more dramatic atmosphere.

With these AI-powered adjustments available directly on the device, creators can transform their photos without relying on additional editing apps, making it easier to experiment with different visual styles anytime, anywhere.

Experience no bad weather with the vivo V70! It is now available for pre-order at vivo stores nationwide and on Shopee until March 13, with savings of up to Php 7,000. Shopee pre-order bundles also include a limited-edition V70 x POP MART Zsiga phone strap and a vivo VIP Card, which comes with extended warranty and screen protection benefits.