SM Group raises renewable energy sourcing to 31% in 2025

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SM Investments Corporation (SM Investments), the parent company of the SM Group, said the Group increased its renewable energy sourcing to 31% of total electricity consumption in 2025, up from 27% in 2024, as it continued expanding cleaner energy use across its businesses.

The Group sourced approximately 730 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity from renewable energy sources during the year.

The shift to renewable electricity helped avoid 370,644.07 metric tons of carbon emissions, equivalent to taking around 296,954 electric-powered passenger vehicles off the road for one year.

The Philippine Geothermal Production Company, Inc. (PGPC)’s Mak-Ban steam field located in Batangas and Laguna is one of the company’s sites supporting a stable, low-carbon renewable energy production.

“For us, investing in renewable energy is both a sustainability and business decision,” SM Investments President and Chief Executive Officer Frederic C. DyBuncio said. “It helps us manage long-term energy costs, improve operational efficiency and build more resilient businesses to help us better serve our customers, tenants, communities and other stakeholders.”

Leading the Group’s broader renewable energy strategy is the Philippine Geothermal Production Company (PGPC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of SM Investments that currently operates the Mak-Ban and Tiwi steam fields in the Provinces of Batangas, Laguna and Albay supplying geothermal steam that can generate up to 400 megawatts of clean renewable energy to power households, offices and industrial facilities around the clock.

PGPC is developing new geothermal sites in six locations in Luzon that have the potential to provide up to 400 additional megawatts of clean, renewable geothermal power for the country.

Mak-Ban and Tiwi steam fields in Laguna and Albay alone can generate enough geothermal steam to power up to one million households annually.

“Reliable and affordable energy is important not only for businesses but also for communities and the broader economy,” Mr. DyBuncio added. “We believe renewable energy, particularly geothermal, can help strengthen long-term energy security while supporting economic growth.”

The SM Group operates the country’s largest rooftop solar panel network nationwide among property developers. Its investment in renewable energy started in 2014 with the very first installation of solar panels in SM North EDSA.

Across the Group’s integrated developments, renewable energy adoption continues to expand. SM Prime Holdings, Inc. has installed more than 200,000 solar panels across 69 properties as part of its broader energy efficiency initiatives.

The Group’s renewable energy transition is also increasingly reflected across its broader business ecosystem.

The Tiwi steam field in Albay is one of PGPCs geothermal sites

Alfamart recently installed solar panels at its Saraiya Distribution Center in Quezon Province with a solar peak capacity of 120.28 kilowatt-peak (kWp), helping improve operational efficiency within its supply chain network.

Meanwhile, the Group’s banking units continue to support sustainable financing initiatives. As of end-2025, BDO Unibank, Inc. has funded a total of PHP 1.21 trillion in sustainable projects, including 71 renewable energy developments amounting to PHP 177 billion. China Banking Corp., for its part, provided PHP72 billion in financing for energy access, renewables and energy efficiency projects in 2025.

SM Investments said the Group continues to integrate sustainability and operational efficiency across its retail, property, banking, and portfolio investments.

Bam Aquino fulfills campaign promise with launching of RLE financial assistance for nursing, allied health sciences students

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Another campaign promise fulfilled for Senator Bam Aquino as his Related Learning Experience (RLE) financial assistance program was formally launched on Monday by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) through the AHEAD (Allied Health Experiential Assistance for Deserving Students) grant.

Aquino helped secure the P500 million allocation in the 2026 national budget to help cover the RLE expenses of nursing and allied health sciences students during his time as chairperson of the Committee on Basic Education.

In a Facebook post, Aquino said 19,000 qualified allied health science students may receive a one-time ₱25,000 RLE subsidy under the AHEAD grant.

“Malaking ginhawa ito para sa ating mga nursing at allied health students na matagal ding nag-alala kung paano mababayaran ang kanilang Related Learning Experience (RLE) at clinical internship fees habang nagsasanay para makapaglingkod sa bayan,” Aquino announced.

During the 2025 senatorial campaign, Aquino vowed during his meetings with nursing students to address their concerns over the high cost of RLE, which is similar to on-the-job training (OJT) and is required for graduation.

“Matagal nating ipinaglaban na mabigyan ng suporta ang ating mga future healthcare professionals, kaya naman napakahalagang hakbang ng paglulunsad ng AHEAD (Allied Health Experiential Assistance for Deserving Students) grant ng CHED upang mas marami pang kabataang Pilipino ang makapagpatuloy sa kanilang pag-aaral at mas mapalapit sa kanilang pangarap na maging healthcare professionals,” he stressed.

Aquino expressed gratitude to CHED, under the leadership of Chairperson Dr. Shirley Agrupis, for creating this program, swiftly releasing the guidelines, and developing the portal that students can use to apply for the RLE subsidy.

During the launch, 10 nursing students from the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Marikina (PLMar) held a ceremonial enrollment via the online application portal for the AHEAD grant.

Pre-order vivo X300 FE, compact flagship for creators

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vivo is expanding its flagship X Series lineup with the launch of the new vivo X300 FE, a compact yet powerful smartphone built for creators who want professional imaging, strong performance, and all-day reliability in a lighter form. Priced at Php 54,999, the device is now available for pre-order nationwide until June 5. Designed for modern urban explorers and content creators, the X300 FE brings together professional-grade photography, flagship processing power, and intelligent software in a portable flat-design body. It carries vivo’s signature ZEISS co-engineered imaging system while introducing a compact form that makes premium creation more accessible for users who are always on the move. Customers who pre-order the X300 FE at vivo stores nationwide will receive exclusive in-store rewards, including the vivo X Series VIP Exclusive Card and a free limited-edition vivo Buds Air3. Those purchasing through vivo e-store will also get an exclusive camera bag designed for creators who want their tools ready wherever inspiration strikes. To make ownership easier, Home Credit Philippines offers installment plans starting at just Php 76 per day at 0% interest for up to 18 months. Professional telephoto, pocket-sized The vivo X300 FE has a versatile imaging system designed to adapt to real-world storytelling. It features a 50MP ZEISS Super Telephoto Camera, a 50MP ZEISS Main Camera, and a 110° Ultra-Wide Low-Distortion Camera, allowing users to capture everything from expansive cityscapes to intimate portraits with rich detail and natural color rendering. Its standout feature is the 50MP ZEISS Super Telephoto Camera, which elevates long-distance photography while preserving texture and depth. For creators seeking even greater reach, vivo introduces the vivo ZEISS Telephoto Extender Gen 2, available separately for Php 13,999. The detachable lens unlocks a 200mm equivalent focal length, transforming the X300 FE into a long-range creative tool. Built with 15 high-transmittance glass elements and a compact Kepler-based optical architecture, it delivers exceptional image precision while reducing overall weight to just 153g, making advanced telephoto photography more portable than ever. Designed to move with you The vivo X300 FE follows a clean flat-design philosophy that feels equal parts polished and practical. Its 6.31-inch display with ultra-narrow bezels offers a balanced viewing experience, while the slim 7.99 mm body and lightweight 191g build make it comfortable for one-handed use. The device features a Metallic Sand AG glass back with upgraded matte texture, creating a smoother touch and improved resistance to fingerprints. The floating dynamic camera module, shaped through a droplet-style sculpting process, creates a seamless visual transition between camera and body. Available in Mist Purple and Luxe Black, the X300 FE balances youthful style and refined sophistication. Aerospace-grade aluminum framing adds structural strength while keeping the device compact enough to slip into everyday life like a sketchbook in a coat pocket. Flagship performance that keeps up Inside the slim frame, the vivo X300 FE packs serious power. It runs on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 platform, delivering smooth multitasking, responsive gaming, and fast content processing for creators who shift between shooting, editing, and sharing. Powering the experience is a 6500mAh BlueVolt Battery supported by 90W FlashCharge and 40W Wireless Charge. The battery combines 4th-generation silicon anode technology and vivo’s intelligent energy management system to provide dependable endurance throughout the day. Built for longevity, the vivo X300 FE also offers IP68 and IP69 dust and water resistance, five years of OS upgrades, seven years of security maintenance, and five years of smooth experience optimization, giving users a device designed not just for launch day excitement, but for years of creative growth. With the X300 FE, vivo proves that smaller does not mean less. It delivers flagship imaging, intelligent software, and robust performance in a form factor that fits modern lifestyles without demanding extra bulk. The X300 FE is now available for pre-order in the Philippines until June 5 through vivo stores nationwide and vivo e-store. For creators who want flagship capability in a compact body, this is a device designed to keep pace with every frame, every idea, and every story waiting to be captured. Learn more about its features via the vivo website. About vivo

LG Electronics Launches 2026 QNED evo Mini LED TV Lineup, Headlined by Ultra-Large 115-Inch Model

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SEOUL — LG Electronics (LG) is rolling out its 2026 QNED evo Mini LED lineup, led by a new 115‑inch model. The new lineup combines ultra-large screen sizes with AI-based picture and sound technologies to support sports viewing, gaming and home entertainment on a larger scale.

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• LG Electronics is launching its 2026 QNED evo Mini LED lineup, led by the new 115-inch and 100‑inch ultra‑large models, alongside the QNED70.
• Dynamic QNED Color Pro, certified 100 percent color volume and Precision Dimming Ultra powered by the AI processor enhance picture quality on large screens.
• AI Super Upscaling, Dynamic Tone Mapping Pro and AI Sound Pro support a stadium‑scale experience for sports and big‑action content.
• VRR up to 165Hz and Motion Booster up to 330Hz offer smooth gameplay, while the LG Gaming Portal adds access to thousands of cloud gaming services and native web games.

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Richer Colors and Deeper Contrast for Immersive Viewing

This year, QNED’s picture quality is advanced by Dynamic QNED Color Pro and Precision Dimming Ultra.

Dynamic QNED Color Pro¹ optimizes color mapping, helping maintain rich and accurate tones even in bright HDR scenes. Certified by Intertek for achieving 100 percent Color Volume,² this wide color gamut coverage enables faithful color reproduction on bigger QNED evo screens, amplifying impact when watching bright sports scenes or gaming.

Powered by LG’s α (Alpha) 8 AI Processor Gen 3³ this year’s QNED evo delivers high-quality visuals on screens up to 115 inches with vivid brightness, color and detail across ultra-large displays. Leveraging 13 years of LG OLED leadership, the AI processor lends its OLED light control capability to QNED.

Enabled by this advanced processing, Precision Dimming Ultra⁴ orchestrates thousands of local dimming zones, precisely controlling light to reveal fine detail in dark scenes while keeping bright highlights crisp. It also delivers deeper blacks and cleaner highlights for stronger contrast, preserving depth even in shadow-heavy scenes on larger screens.

AI‑Driven Upscaling and Image Refinement for The Big Screen

The AI processor also powers a suite of intelligent enhancements designed to elevate the viewing experience. AI Super Upscaling⁵ analyzes on-screen objects with deep learning algorithms and refines texture, edges and fine details to produce more natural-looking 4K visuals that stay crisp on larger screens.

AI Picture Pro identifies and enhancing faces, bodies and other key elements to improve perceived depth and detail. Dynamic Tone Mapping Pro⁶ analyzes each frame to refine resolution, brightness and clarity. Complementing these picture enhancements, AI Sound Pro immerses viewers in virtual 11.1.2 channel surround sound, providing clearer spatial separation and a more immersive soundstage through the TV’s built-in speakers.

Stadium‑Scale Sports Viewing with Real‑Time Updates

With the webOS 26 smart TV platform, the 2026 LG QNED evo TVs help users keep up with live sports with a suite of versatile features, bringing a more connected and personalized way to enjoy sports matches.

Sports Portal provides a centralized hub with live content, scores, match schedules and league standings, letting sports lovers check key information without switching apps or inputs. Sports Alert⁷ allows users to receive notifications for selected teams and leagues, including score updates, match results and upcoming games.

Key stats such as match progress and game‑result predictions can be easily checked through an on‑screen AI Concierge card, helping users stay updated on multiple games at once.

Smooth, Responsive Gameplay for Big‑Screen Immersion

The latest QNED evo TVs also include gaming features designed for fluid motion and responsive gameplay.

Supporting variable refresh rate (VRR) up to 165Hz,⁸ AMD FreeSync™ Premium⁹ and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), QNED TVs optimize motion clarity so that rapid in-game action stays sharp, highly responsive and free of lag. The new Motion Booster raises the refresh rate to an ultra-fast 330Hz¹⁰ on supported models, significantly reducing motion blur and delivering exceptional visual smoothness during fast-paced shooters and racing titles where split-second responses matter.

As an all‑in‑one platform for gamers, LG Gaming Portal¹¹ provides access to thousands of cloud gaming services and native web games.

AI‑Driven Personalization, Secured by LG Shield

LG’s webOS 26 platform also adds AI-based personalization features to the 2026 QNED evo lineup. With Voice ID, the TV can recognize individual users to automatically load their personalized My Page home screen. AI Concierge provides context‑aware suggestions and quick access to helpful functions based on current viewing activity. With support from multi‑AI capabilities powered by Google Gemini and Microsoft Copilot, users can also ask questions, check information and search for related content while watching.

Securing this entire ecosystem is LG Shield, a CES 2026 Innovation Award-winning technology that utilizes advanced encryption to keep user data and personalized experiences safe.

2026 QNED Lineup with a Range of Mini LED Models

LG’s 2026 QNED evo lineup offers a range of Mini LED models from QNED90 through QNED80, providing screen sizes suited for different viewing preferences and environments. The flagship 115-inch QNED90 brings sports and gaming to the big screen with precise visuals powered by Mini LED technology, Dynamic QNED Color Pro and Precision Dimming Ultra. The 100-inch QNED85 provides an immersive home entertainment setup, allowing viewers to enjoy cinematic content at home with a theater-like experience. Additional QNED82, QNED8M, QNED80 models offer precision Mini LED clarity for everyday viewing, while the popular QNED70 Mini LED provides a compelling balance of size, performance and accessibility.

“The 115‑inch QNED TV reflects our commitment to creating shared, immersive viewing experiences,” said Park Hyoung‑sei, president of the LG Media Entertainment Solution Company. “With enhanced Mini LED technology, we are giving sports fans and gamers even more reason to embrace ultra‑large screens.”

LG’s 2026 QNED evo TV lineup will be available starting this month in Korea, the U.S. and European countries, with other markets to follow throughout the year.

 

Manulife Philippines Appoints Manish Sangal as Deputy CEO

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Sangal will drive strategy and execution across priority transformation and business initiatives, advancing agency distribution, digital, and AI innovation across the business

Manulife Philippines, the local arm of leading international financial services provider Manulife, announced the appointment of Manish Sangal as Deputy Chief Executive Officer. As Deputy CEO, he will join the Company’s executive committee and will report directly to Rahul Hora, President and Chief Executive Officer, Manulife Philippines.

Over the past three years as Chief Agency Officer in Vietnam, Sangal has delivered sustained quality growth and built a highly engaged, high-performing team. His appointment reflects Manulife’s continued investment in the Philippines as a market central to the company’s Emerging Markets strategy and underscores the insurer’s focus on building enterprise-level capabilities across its business.

“Manish is a proven insurance leader who combines strategic clarity with disciplined execution,” said Rahul Hora, President and Chief Executive Officer, Manulife Philippines. “His track record in agency development and digital transformation, along with his strong culture-building leadership, will help us accelerate our growth ambitions, strengthen our competitiveness, and create even more value for our customers and distribution partners in the Philippines.”

In his new role, Sangal will be responsible for driving strategy and execution across priority transformation and business initiatives, partnering across teams to advance technology and AI innovation, agency transformation, expanded Corporate Solutions, and enhanced digital journeys for advisors and customers, deepening customer value and distribution excellence.

“I’m honored to take on this role and to partner with our talented teams across Manulife Philippines,” said Manish Sangal, Deputy CEO, Manulife Philippines. “Backed by 119 years of rich understanding of the Filipino customer, we have an exciting opportunity to scale our agency strength, enhance customer engagement through data, digital, and AI, and bring innovative and market-leading health and life protection solutions—making decisions easier and lives better for more families in the Philippines.”