Scottie Thompson, Scotty Pippen Jr. unite at vivo x NBA event

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Two accomplished point guards from different sides of the basketball world came together as special guests at the vivo x NBA Meet & Greet, where PBA star Scottie Thompson joined Memphis Grizzlies guard Scotty Pippen Jr. on July 30 at vivo Concept Store, SM Megamall, sharing insights on leadership, perseverance, and life on and off the court.

The event carried special personal significance for Thompson, who revealed that he was named after Pippen Jr.'s father, six-time NBA champion Scottie Pippen, because of his own father's admiration for the Chicago Bulls legend.

"It's truly an honor to meet Scotty. I'm sure my dad would be very proud," Thompson shared during his onstage conversation with host KC Montero, describing the encounter as a full-circle moment.

The admiration was mutual. When asked about meeting Thompson during his visit to the Philippines, Pippen Jr. said he was equally amazed by the story behind the PBA star's name.

"Definitely cool. He's a cool dude and a super accomplished player. Just hearing all the accolades he's achieved is surreal. It's also crazy that he was named after my dad and now, years later, we're both here together. It's really cool to meet someone like that," Pippen Jr. shared.

Scotty Pippen Jr. and Scottie Thompson with KC Montero (host) during the Q&A

The exclusive gathering, held at the vivo Concept Store in SM Megamall on July 30, gave fans a rare opportunity to interact with two elite point guards whose basketball journeys have inspired countless athletes in their respective leagues.

Two point guards, one passion

Throughout the afternoon, Thompson and Pippen Jr. reflected on the experiences that shaped their careers and the values that continue to guide them as leaders on the court.

Pippen Jr. looked back on the perseverance that helped him reach the NBA, beginning with Vanderbilt University before joining the Los Angeles Lakers in 2022 as a two-way player then working his way through the NBA G League and eventually earning a spot with the Memphis Grizzlies.

"The main thing for me is confidence. In college, I was the best player on my team, but when I got to the NBA, you kind of start at the bottom. Just working hard every day, instilling confidence in yourself, knowing you belong, and believing you should be there really helped me," Pippen Jr. shared.

Thompson, meanwhile, shared how years of hard work transformed him from a collegiate standout into a PBA Most Valuable Player, multiple-time champion, and one of the country's premier floor generals.

"For me, I just keep pushing myself every single day. I keep working hard. It shows in my game because what I do in practice is the same thing I bring onto the court," Thompson said.

Although their journeys unfolded in different leagues and basketball cultures, both stars shared the same message: success comes from hard work, perseverance, discipline, and putting the team above yourself.

The conversation also gave fans a glimpse into what it takes to become an elite point guard. While their paths have been different, both emphasized that leadership, making the right decisions under pressure, and helping teammates succeed are qualities that transcend any league or level of competition.

Connecting with Filipino fans

Fans became part of the conversation during an interactive Q&A session, where they asked both athletes about basketball, their personal interests, and the lessons they've learned throughout their careers.

When asked by a fan who had the biggest influence on his basketball journey, Pippen Jr. immediately credited his father.

"My biggest influence on my basketball journey is my dad. Growing up with someone who played in the NBA and has so much knowledge of the game, he was always pouring into me, giving me advice and tips that I still use to this day," Pippen Jr. shared.

Thompson also gave fans a glimpse of the person behind the athlete. When asked what might surprise people about him, the PBA star answered with a smile: "I'm a family man."

The simple yet heartfelt response drew smiles from the audience and reminded fans that, beyond his accomplishments on the court, Thompson takes the greatest pride in being a family-oriented person.

Both players also expressed their appreciation for Filipino basketball fans, praising the country's unmatched passion for the sport and the energy that filled the venue throughout the afternoon.

Missed the live event? You can still relive the excitement by watching the livestream, captured using the vivo X300 Ultra, here: https://www.facebook.com/vivo.philippines/videos/2265009864249930

Every basketball moment captured using vivo X300 Ultra

From heartfelt conversations to unforgettable fan interactions, every highlight of the event was captured with the vivo X300 Ultra.

Built for sports, concerts, and fast-paced moments, the vivo X300 Ultra features Triple ZEISS Master Lenses paired with ZEISS Telephoto Extenders capable of reaching up to 400mm, allowing users to capture crisp details even from the upper bowl of an arena.

Scotty Pippen Jr. using the vivo X300 Ultra during the group photo

Whether capturing the intensity of live sports or once-in-a-lifetime moments with basketball icons, the vivo X300 Ultra delivers flagship imaging that preserves every detail with remarkable clarity.

More than just a fan event, the vivo x NBA Meet & Greet celebrated basketball's unique ability to connect generations, cultures, and communities.

For Scottie Thompson, it was personally a full-circle moment. For Scotty Pippen Jr., it was an opportunity to witness firsthand the passion of Filipino basketball fans. For everyone in attendance, it was a rare experience that turned admiration into unforgettable memories.

Scotty Thompson using the vivo X300 Ultra during the group photo

By creating experiences that bring fans closer to the athletes they admire, vivo Philippines continues to go beyond smartphone innovation—building meaningful moments through the game of basketball.

Whether you're cheering from the arena or capturing unforgettable moments with your favorite stars, the vivo X300 Ultra delivers flagship imaging powered by ZEISS. It is available for Php 109,999 at vivo concept stores nationwide and the vivo e-store.

Watch What Matters: Pre-Order the New Galaxy Watch Ultra2 and Galaxy Watch9 and Discover a Smarter Way to Live Well

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Now available for pre-order with up to 15% savings, 0% installment for up to 36 months, and up to ₱7,000 Trade-In savings

The glow-up has entered a new era. Today, wellness is no longer just about looking fit, it is about feeling your best. More Filipinos are shifting from chasing aesthetic goals to building healthier, more sustainable habits, prioritizing better sleep, mindful movement, recovery, and overall wellness.

Helping Filipinos embrace this new era is Samsung’s newest wearable lineup, the Galaxy Watch Ultra2 and Galaxy Watch9. Now available for pre-order, both smartwatches combine Samsung’s most advanced AI-powered health innovations with powerful performance to transform everyday health data into personalized, actionable insights.

Galaxy Watch9: Everyday Wellness, Elevated

For those embracing healthier habits one day at a time, the Galaxy Watch9 is designed to be the ultimate everyday wellness companion, combining intelligent health tracking, lasting comfort, and powerful performance in Samsung’s slimmest and most comfortable Galaxy Watch yet.

Working seamlessly with Samsung Health, the Galaxy Watch9 goes beyond tracking activity to delivering meaningful, AI-powered health guidance. New features, including Vitals, Heart Health Score, Daily Cardio Load, Fitness Index and Samsung’s enhanced Sleep Apnea detection, work together to provide personalized recommendations that help you sleep better, train smarter, recover more effectively, and build healthier routines over time. You receive personalized recommendations that help you build healthier habits with confidence.

Powered by the new Snapdragon Wear® Elite Platform, it delivers faster performance and greater power efficiency for seamless, around-the-clock health monitoring. Its refined cushion design sits naturally on the wrist, while a brilliant 3,000-nit display and dependable battery life make it easy to stay connected to your health from sunrise to bedtime.

Galaxy Watch Ultra2: From Mountain Trails to Ocean Depths, Built for Every Extreme

When adventure calls, the Galaxy Watch Ultra2 is built to answer. Engineered for athletes, outdoor enthusiasts, and high-performance seekers, Samsung’s most advanced Galaxy Watch ever delivers the brand’s largest-ever 800mAh battery, world-first brightest 5,000-nit display, highly accurate dual-frequency GPS, and a slimmer titanium design that offers exceptional durability without compromising everyday comfort.

Whether conquering steep mountain trails or diving beneath the waves, the Galaxy Watch Ultra2 delivers specialized tracking designed to help you perform at your best. Its dedicated Trail Run mode provides detailed insights into elevation, climbing progress, terrain impact, and pacing, while the new Nutrition Alert intelligently estimates sweat loss to deliver personalized hydration guidance, helping runners stay fueled and recover smarter throughout every run.

Beyond the trail, the Galaxy Watch Ultra2 is equally at home underwater. With 10ATM, IP69K, and EN13319 certification, the watch is built for professional-grade diving, automatically tracking key dive metrics such as depth, water temperature, and dive duration. Developed with Mares, the world’s leading diving equipment brand, the upcoming Galaxy Watch Ultra2 Diving app experience will also introduce advanced features, including ascent and descent speed monitoring and safe dive limit guidance.

Together with Samsung Health, the Galaxy Watch9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra2 create a connected wellness experience that empowers you to make every workout, recovery, and adventure count, whether building healthier everyday habits or pushing beyond limits.

Pre-Order Your Next Wellness Upgrade

Your healthiest chapter starts now. May it be better sleep, a stronger finish, or your next great adventure; there has never been a better time to upgrade. Pre-order the new Galaxy Watch9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra2 until August 13 and enjoy exclusive offers, including up to 15% savings with 0% installment for up to 36 months using UnionBank or Metrobank Credit Cards, or up to 11% savings with 0% installment for up to 24 months using EastWest, BDO, BPI, Security Bank, PNB, HSBC, and Chinabank Credit Cards.

You can also enjoy ₱3,000 off via Home Credit at Samsung Authorized Stores nationwide, guaranteed Trade-In savings of up to ₱9,000 for Galaxy Watch Ultra2 or ₱7,000 for Galaxy Watch9 when upgrading from participating brands, plus 25% off a two-year Samsung Care+ plan at Samsung Authorized Stores and partner online retailers or receive three months of Samsung Care+ free when purchasing through Samsung.com.

To learn more about Galaxy Watch Ultra2, please visit: https://www.samsung.com/ph/watches/galaxy-watch/galaxy-watch-ultra2-titanium-silver-lte-sm-l715fzsaxtc/buy/

To learn more about Galaxy Watch9, please visit: https://www.samsung.com/ph/watches/galaxy-watch/galaxy-watch9-40mm-cream-bluetooth-sm-l340nzeaasa/buy/

Lenovo Powers Esports World Cup 2026 as a Founding Partner

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The Esports Foundation (EF) and Lenovo today announced an expanded partnership, with Lenovo becoming a Global Partner of the Esports World Cup 2026 (EWC) and powering the world’s largest esports event with its high-performance Legion gaming devices.

The EWC 2026 will be bringing the world’s largest esports event to Paris for the first time, welcoming more than 2,000 players, 200 esports teams and fans from over 100 countries between July 6 and August 23. As EWC expands into the international stage, Lenovo joins the event’s Founding Partner roster, bringing its latest Legion desktop PCs and monitors to competition arenas, training facilities, broadcast studios, and festival spaces during the seven-week event.

“We are excited to welcome Lenovo as a Global Founding Partner for the Esports World Cup 2026, as we prepare to bring thousands of players and millions of fans to Paris this summer,” said Mohammed Al Nimer, Chief Commercial Officer of the Esports Foundation. “Across seven weeks, thousands of matches, broadcast hours, and player setups, the technology behind the competition matters just as much as what happens on stage, and we are grateful to Lenovo for bringing its cutting-edge systems that will make our event possible.”

“As one of the largest gaming brands in the world, we are immensely proud to have Lenovo Legion devices powering the world’s largest esports event,” said Volker Düring, VP & GM, Gaming Business, Intelligent Devices Group, Lenovo. “Lenovo’s partnership with EWC reflects a shared commitment to enable top esports athletes to use Legion’s premier gaming devices to compete at the highest levels on the largest esports stage.”

Legion Powers Competition at One of the World’s Largest Esports   Events

From competition arenas and broadcast studios to player facilities and fan experiences, Legion hardware will power key aspects of EWC 2026, enabling peak performance across one of the world's biggest esports events. EWC 2026 players will compete using Legion Tower 7i and Tower 5i desktop PCs. This year, athletes will also be competing on Legion monitors as they fight for the top podium spots.

From Competition Stage to Concept Innovation

This partnership has already inspired significant hardware innovation from Lenovo in the Legion Pro Rollable Concept, a 16” rollable Lenovo PureSight OLED technology screen showcased earlier this year at CES 2026. Designed for esports athletes who need a single portable device that allows them to train for high-level competitions around the world, this gaming laptop concept’s display expands from 16” to both 21.5” and 24” sizes. EWC attendees will be able to demo the Legion Pro Rollable in the Legion booth.

Bringing Fans Closer to the Action

Legion branding will appear across EWC 2026 broadcasts and onsite experiences, including the Legion Gauntlet stage and dedicated festival zones featuring Legion laptops, tablets, and peripherals available for fans during the event. Fans will have a chance to win Legion hardware through on-site challenges, while exclusive content featured across Legion channels during EWC 2026 will offer a closer look at the players, setups, and hardware used across the competition.

As a Founding Partner for EWC 2026, Lenovo will also feature as a major part of this year’s global campaign, appearing across creative, broadcast and fan-facing content in the lead-up to and throughout the event.

Building on a Growing Global Esports Partnership

The partnership follows Lenovo’s debut at EWC 2025, where more than 2,000 Legion devices were used across tournament operations, broadcast studios, creator zones, and festival activations. Legion branding appeared across all 24 game titles and seven weeks of international broadcasts, reaching 750 million people across multiple regions and languages worldwide.

The Esports World Cup 2026 will be hosted in Paris from July 6 to August 23, welcoming more than 2,000 players and 200 Clubs from over 100 countries to compete across 24 games and 25 tournaments for a share of the record-breaking $75 million+ prize pool.

For more information, visit the Esports World Cup and explore Lenovo Legion’s full lineup at www.lenovo.com/legion.

Salady, Korea's biggest salad chain, to open at PNB Makati Center

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PNB Makati Center is set to welcome Salady Philippines, bringing Korea's biggest salad chain to the heart of Makati's business district and further strengthening the property’s evolving dining and retail offerings.

A fresh dining experience is set to open at PNB Makati Center as (from left) Palette Passion Inc., Head of Operations Austin Villamanca, President Arvin Pitao, PNB Holdings Corporation President Karlu T. Say, and PHC Chief Financial Officer Ponciano S. Carreon, Jr. formalize their partnership through a ceremonial lease signing on July 29, 2026.

Through its Philippine master franchisee, Palette Passion Inc., Salady has begun expanding its footprint in the country following the brand’s success in South Korea. Known for its menu of fresh salads, grain bowls, wraps, and protein-rich meals, they have built a loyal following by making healthy eating accessible, convenient, and affordable for everyday consumers.

The partnership was formalized through a ceremonial lease signing ceremony attended by PNB Holdings Corporation (PHC) President Karlu T. Say, PHC Chief Financial Officer Ponciano S. Carreon, Jr., and representatives from Salady Philippines, including Palette Passion Inc. President Arvin Pitao and Head of Operations Austin Villamanca on July 29, 2026.

For PHC, the arrival of Salady reflects the changing role of commercial developments in business districts. As consumer preferences continue to shift, office properties are increasingly becoming destinations that blend work, lifestyle, convenience, and community.

Salady's entry to PNB Makati Center's introduces a globally inspired dining concept that aligns with the growing demand for healthier food choices among urban professionals.

Its presence is expected to appeal to office workers, nearby residents, and visitors seeking fresh and convenient meal options in Makati's central business district.

The Korean salad chain is among the new dining concepts expected to join PNB Makati Center in the coming months, gradually transforming the property into a vibrant food block in the heart of Makati's central business district.

It is set to open later this year on the Ground Floor of PNB Makati Center along Ayala Avenue, becoming the brand's first branch in Makati and its first location within an office development in the Philippines.

A New HONOR Begins: Powering the Future of AI

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HONOR Unveils New Logo, Marking Its Bold Evolution into a Global AI Device Ecosystem Company

Pivoting from a “smartphone manufacturer” into a globally leading “AI device ecosystem company” is a radical redefinition of HONOR’s future. This redefinition is a new identity born organically — after relentless breakthroughs across technology, markets, and industry dimensions.

When a tech company begins to rethink the relationship between AI and humans differently, and when its trajectory consistently defies outside expectations, change becomes inevitable. Brand renewal is the necessary outward expression of that change.

Boundaries are shattering. Growth is accelerating. HONOR is no longer just the phone maker it once was. Marked by the advent of "Robot Phone" — a truly new species — HONOR has officially entered the next phase as an AI device ecosystem company. From on-device AI to system-wide synergy; from global foldable leadership to winning a half marathon with a humanoid robot; from AiMAGE, the industry’s first end-cloud collaborative computational photography system, to partnering with ARRI to usher in a cinematic era of mobile imaging; from the species evolution of Phone to RobotPhone; from traditional operating systems to the generational leap of Agentic OS; from a single device to building an open, co-created, and shared AI device ecosystem — HONOR has turned its Alpha strategy and AHI philosophy from blueprint into reality through a series of hardcore breakthroughs. The market has given the most honest answer: in Q1 2026, HONOR achieved counter-trend growth of 25%, becoming the only Chinese brand to post positive growth; overseas revenue accounted for more than half; and foldable phones firmly held the global Top 2 spot. Success is no accident — it is the natural emergence of qualitative change when long-term quantitative accumulation reaches its critical point.

The pace of transformation is quickening, and the direction grows ever clearer. HONOR’s brand character is evolving in tandem — it is no longer just a breaker of cold specs, but a brand that steps actively into the cultural sphere of the younger generation: partnering with top-tier global events, striking a chord of passion through extreme exploration; co-branding with designer toys, turning the brand into a statement of attitude. What young people feel is not a lofty tech giant, but a companion who understands them, dares to be different, and is willing to run alongside them.

This brand renewal is a comprehensive upgrade that spans technology, industry, ecosystem, and the core of the brand. It is not the end, but an entirely new beginning: HONOR is no longer being defined — it is defining; no longer following the wind — it is becoming the wind; no longer merely a companion — it is an initiator of change. ‘Dare to be’ has long been etched deep into HONOR’s DNA. The future is here. HONOR aspires to be a cool company, joining forces with the coolest people in the world to chase the frontiers of imagination, and together, create a cool AI future that belongs to everyone.

To learn more about this exciting news, visit HONOR’s website www.hihonor.com, and follow HONOR Philippines on Facebook (Facebook.com/HonorPhilippines), Instagram (Instagram.com/honorph/) and TikTok: (Tiktok.com/@honorphilippines) for exclusive teasers, launch updates, and big reveal.