Keep moving no matter the condition: Shop your MOVE IT Ride-Ready essentials on GrabMart

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Packable rain jacket, helmet liner, and refresh kit now available exclusively on GrabMart

Clear skies at 7:00 in the morning, wet and windy by 5:00 PM in the afternoon. The rainy season does not negotiate with anyone’s calendar, and for the professionals who have moved to motorcycle-taxis to protect their schedule, the distance between leaving and arriving has become a gamble on how they turn up.

MOVE IT launched Ride-Ready, a line of commuter essentials built for that gap. Now available exclusively on GrabMart, the range includes a packable rain jacket, a scarf or cap that doubles as a helmet liner, and a refresh kit with travel-size alcohol spray, cooling wipes, and tissue.

The launch comes at a time when motorcycle-taxis have become indispensable to the daily grind. While MOVE IT recorded a 20% growth in monthly users during the first half of the year compared to last year, commuter feedback highlighted lingering hesitations to booking a ride like sudden downpours and scorching heat, along with concerns about shared helmet conditions.

“Filipino commuters have become extraordinarily good at adapting to city life. What they should not have to accept is arriving at a meeting soaked, or starting the afternoon already behind,” says MOVE IT General Manager Wayne Jacinto. “Ride-Ready is a practical answer to that. We want our passengers to step off the ride the same way they left the house.”

MOVE IT also brought Ride-Ready into the busy commercial districts where many of its passengers work. Interactive booths ran at select office buildings in Makati, Bonifacio Global City, Ortigas, and Cebu City from June to July, where commuters claimed Ride-Ready items on site and booked their next trip from the booth.

As the rainy season and worsening traffic remain major concerns for commuters, MOVE IT's Ride-Ready essentials make every journey easier and more comfortable. By equipping passengers with the right tools, MOVE IT empowers them to keep moving no matter the condition—ensuring they step off their ride fresh, confident, and ready to face the day ahead.

The Ride-Ready range is available on GrabMart starting July 13. Prices start at P275, with special bundles that mix and match essentials for more savings. Details are on MOVE IT’s official social media channels.

EastWest’s Investment Banking earns industry recognition for helping bring major capital market deals to life

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EastWest's Investment Banking team has been recognized by two respected industry organizations for its work in the Philippine capital market. The awards acknowledge the team's involvement in significant fundraising transactions that have helped companies raise capital, and expanded investment opportunities for local investors.

The team recently received the IPO Deal of the Year – Philippines award from Asian Banking & Finance for its participation as a Domestic Participating Underwriter in the initial public offering of Maynilad Water Services, Inc. The Bank was also named among the Top 5 Corporate Issue Managers/Arrangers (Bank Category) by the PDS Group for its performance in 2025, a distinction that EastWest has maintained every year for the past six (6) years.

EastWest Investment Banking Officers Mark Angelo Borreo and Jerome Antonio Lim (center) received the award on behalf of the Bank during the recent PDS Awards 2026.

Together, these recognitions show the breadth of EastWest's investment banking capabilities—from supporting one of the country's largest public offerings to helping issuers access the domestic capital markets through debt securities and other funding transactions.

“At the heart of successful capital raising is a clear understanding of what our clients want to achieve,” said Mr. Rafael S. Algarra, Jr., SEVP and Head of Financial Markets and Wealth Management. “By bringing together the right investors and helping build confidence throughout the process, we aim to deliver thoughtful advice and disciplined execution. These recognitions encourage us to keep doing just that.”

One of the team's recent highlights was its participation in the Maynilad Water Services, Inc. initial public offering completed on November 7, 2025. The transaction raised approximately Php 34.3 billion in gross proceeds and became the second-largest IPO in Philippine history as well as the country's largest since 2021. The offer was oversubscribed 2.7 times which reflected strong investor demand. Through its network and client relationships, EastWest supported participation from domestic and retail investors. The Bank's efforts helped broaden the company's shareholder base and supported funding for long-term water and wastewater infrastructure investments. The team's activity in the debt capital market also earned industry recognition. Based on its 2025 performance, EastWest once again ranked among the top five (5) Corporate Issue Managers/Arrangers in the Bank Category in the PDS Group's annual rankings.

As more Philippine companies tap the capital markets to support their growth, EastWest continues to build its investment banking franchise through sound advice, disciplined execution, and strong relationships with issuers and investors.

“Every transaction represents a company's next chapter, whether it's expanding operations, investing in infrastructure, or pursuing long-term growth,” Algarra added. “Our role is to help our clients achieve those goals while creating more opportunities for retail investors to participate in the capital market and build their investment portfolios with confidence.”

Peek inside vivo Global HQ with Anne Curtis

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DONGGUAN, CHINA – What truly drives innovation on a global scale? Behind every smartphone lies not only cutting-edge technology and precision manufacturing, but also the people, culture, and vision that bring it to life.

After touring vivo's intelligent manufacturing facilities at its Global Headquarters, Anne Curtis—Filipino actress and vivo Philippines Brand Ambassador—continued her journey through the headquarters campus in Dongguan, China. From its architecture and corporate culture to its innovative vision and social responsibility, she discovered how innovation is woven into every aspect of vivo.

For Anne, the visit offered more than a behind-the-scenes look at vivo. It showed that the brand's innovation is driven not only by technology, but also by its people-first philosophy.

Where tradition meets innovation

During her visit to Dongguan, Anne explored the vivo Exhibition Hall and Global Headquarters campus, gaining a deeper understanding of the brand's innovation philosophy.

Blending traditional Eastern aesthetics with modern architecture, the campus serves as vivo's global hub for innovation and collaboration. From the expansive waterscapes and landscaped gardens to the iconic timber gateway and contemporary office buildings, the campus reflects a harmonious balance between Chinese tradition and technology, creating an inspiring environment for vivo's global teams.

Impressed by the campus, Anne shared, "It's beautiful. I wish I had an office like this in real life." The visit also gave her a firsthand look at how vivo fosters creativity through a thoughtfully designed workplace.

Imaging without limits

During her headquarters tour, Anne also explored the vivo X300 Ultra, gaining a closer look at vivo's latest advances in mobile imaging.

At the exhibition hall, Anne experienced the X300 Ultra paired with the 400mm equivalent vivo ZEISS Telephoto Extender Gen 2 Ultra. As distant scenes came into sharp focus, she experienced the impressive telephoto performance of vivo's latest flagship imaging smartphone.

As the first Ultra model introduced to global markets, the X300 Ultra combines professional imaging, flagship performance, and long-lasting battery life, bringing vivo's latest innovations to users around the world.

For Anne, who has spent much of her career in front of the camera, the X300 Ultra strikes a balance between professional capabilities and everyday portability, making high-quality content creation easier than ever. The experience also gave her a deeper appreciation of how vivo continues to make advanced mobile imaging more accessible through innovation.

More than a tour

For Anne, the headquarters tour revealed a side of vivo that goes beyond technology. From its people and culture to the ideas behind its products, the visit gave her a deeper understanding of what defines the brand.

"It was always great to learn more about vivo in detail. It was such a variety; the brand that keeps on innovating," Anne shared.

Together, these experiences painted a more complete picture of vivo as a brand.

Anne's journey to China continues. Follow vivo Philippines on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X, and TikTok for more highlights from her visit.

The vivo X300 Ultra, which Anne experienced during her headquarters tour, is now available for Php 109,999 at vivo concept stores nationwide and the vivo e-store

Jobstreet by SEEK and DITO BizBayan join forces to champion Filipino MSMEs

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Leading online job platform Jobstreet by SEEK enters a strategic partnership with DITO BizBayan through the ongoing DITO BizBayani Awards, reinforcing their shared commitment to empowering Philippine micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

The partnership aims to help MSMEs build stronger, more empowering workplaces that attract, develop, and retain talent. Beyond fostering people-first cultures, the partnership seeks to create more job opportunities by equipping small businesses with the tools and support they need to grow sustainably. Jobstreet by SEEK and DITO BizBayan are helping local enterprises scale with confidence, driving employment growth and opening more quality career opportunities across the country.

(second from right) Dannah Majarocon, Managing Director of Jobstreet by SEEK Philippines, joins the DITO BizBayani Awards in recognizing and empowering Philippine micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

The cornerstone of this collaboration is the BizBayani in Employer Excellence Award, a special category by Jobstreet by SEEK as part of DITO BizBayan’s ongoing program. This award recognizes business leaders under 45 who have built people-first and high-performing workplaces and created meaningful opportunities for employees.

MSME owners and business leaders are encouraged to nominate their businesses for the BizBayani in Employer Excellence Award and showcase their commitment to creating jobs, developing talent, and building people-first workplaces. Nominations are open until July 3, 2026, through the official DITO BizBayani Awards website.

The winner of this category will receive Jobstreet by SEEK's Top-up Reward Package worth over PHP 165,000, designed to boost employer branding and visibility. This complements DITO’s main prize pool, which includes a business connectivity kit and an all-expenses-paid business learning workshop trip to China.

Public nominations officially opened on June 3 and will run until July 3, 2026, after which entries will undergo shortlisting and expert panel evaluation. Finalists will advance to public voting, with winners determined through a combination of panel deliberation and public votes. The awards night is set for August 12, 2026.

"Through our participation in the DITO BizBayani Awards, we want to show that small businesses can build incredibly strong, magnetic employer brands even with limited resources. When an entrepreneur invests heavily in learning agility, open communication, and employee care, they don't just build a successful company; they help create a more resilient job market for all Filipinos," said Dannah Majarocon, Managing Director of Jobstreet by SEEK Philippines.

As the premier job platform, Jobstreet by SEEK aims to bridge growing local businesses with top-tier talent, reinforcing its mission of expanding employment access and connecting Filipinos to more meaningful and sustainable livelihoods.

To learn more about the DITO BizBayani Awards and submit your nomination, visit https://ditobizbayaniawards.com/. For more information about Jobstreet by SEEK, visit jobstreet.com.ph.

Ella in the website and InLife App: Your personal insurance assistant Is now just a chat away

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Getting answers about your life insurance policy is now faster and easier.

First and largest Filipino life insurer InLife has enhanced its digital customer experience by bringing Ella, its AI-powered virtual assistant, into the website for general inquiries, and the InLife App, allowing policyholders to get direct answers about their policies anytime, wherever they are.

Ella can assist customers with information specific to their InLife policies through their InLife App. Whether checking premium due dates, fund values, coverage details, or beneficiary information, customers can simply start a conversation and receive answers within seconds.

The move is part of InLife's continuing efforts to make insurance more accessible, convenient, and responsive to the evolving needs of its customers, and reflects the company's own transformation.

Formerly known as Insular Life, the company now carries the shorter name InLife, reflecting its commitment to making insurance simpler, not only in name, but also in the way customers access information, purchase protection, and manage their policies.

"Our customers increasingly prefer digital channels that allow them to access information quickly and conveniently, wherever they may be, and whenever they want. By bringing Ella into the InLife App and our website, we're making it easier for policyholders and even the general public to connect with us and get the information they need. It's another step in our commitment to deliver a simpler, smarter, and more customer-centered insurance experience," said InLife Chief Customer Experience and Operations Officer Geraldine B. Alvarez.

Available around the clock, Ella offers a convenient alternative to calling InLife’s hotline or sending an email, making it easier for customers to access information anytime.

As with any intelligent virtual assistant, Ella continues to improve through every interaction. Customers are encouraged to provide feedback whenever a response is unclear or incomplete, helping Ella become even more helpful over time.

Ella is now available through the InLife Website at www.inlife.com.ph, InLife App (downloadable via the Google Play or Apple App Store), making policy information more accessible with just a few taps.