No Small Roles: Home Credit Named Among Best Companies to Work for in Asia at HR Asia Award 2026

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Honoring Home Credit’s efforts to foster a culture of creating an engaging, inclusive, and empowering employee experience for over 21,000 employees nationwide.

(R–L): Home Credit Philippines' Senior Corporate Lawyer, Atty. Michael Macabata;

Cash Loan Head, Marion Yvette Bugay; Operations Back Office Head, Christianne Luis;

Collections Head, Wojciech Antoni Krotoszynski; Chief People Officer, Barbara Ann Mecua;

Senior People Partner, Atty. Bianca Mae Bacani; and 

Campaigns Marketing Head, Jasper Sadiang Abay.

Home Credit Philippines (HCPH), one of the country's leading consumer finance companies, has been named among HR Asia's Best Companies to Work for in Asia 2026, marking its first win at the regional workplace recognition program. The recognition highlights Home Credit’s efforts to create an engaging work place for over 21,000 employees, where they feel valued and empowered to grow with meaningful career opportunities.

The HR Asia Best Companies to Work for in Asia Awards recognize employers that demonstrate strong employee engagement, effective human resource management, and positive workplace cultures. The 2026 Philippine edition selected 44 winners from 160 surveyed organizations, drawing on employee feedback gathered through HR Asia's Total Engagement Assessment Model (TEAM).

The recognition was presented on October 6, 2026, at the Manila Marriott Hotel, where Home Credit joined 43 other companies recognized nationwide in the HR Asia Awards for their employee engagement, workplace culture, and human resource practices.

True to its core belief, “No Small Roles, Everyone is Important,” Home Credit continues to cultivate a workplace where every employee is respected, supported, and encouraged to reach their full potential, regardless of role or function.

As part of its commitment to employee well-being and inclusion, Home Credit provides benefits and workplace arrangements designed to support the diverse needs of its workforce. These include health maintenance organization (HMO) coverage that extends to eligible same-sex partners, reinforcing the company's commitment to equitable access to healthcare benefits. Home Credit also offers hybrid work arrangements for eligible roles, providing employees with greater flexibility in managing their professional and personal responsibilities.

"At Home Credit, we believe that no role is too small to make a meaningful difference. Every employee, whether serving customers on the frontlines or supporting our operations behind the scenes, contributes to who we are as a company. This recognition reflects our commitment to building a workplace where people feel included, supported, and empowered to succeed. As we continue to grow, we want our employees to grow with us," said Barbara Mecua, Chief People Officer of Home Credit Philippines.

Home Credit Philippines continues to invest in talent development and career progression through programs that equip employees with the skills and capabilities needed for future leadership roles. Among these initiatives are the Harnessing Your Potential for Excellence (HYPE) Management Trainee Program and the Leadership, Influence, Focus and Transformation (LIFT) Management Development Program, which provide structured opportunities for professional development, leadership training, and career advancement.

Through these programs, Home Credit aims to develop talent from within the organization while preparing its workforce to adapt to changing business needs, new technologies, and evolving customer expectations. The company also recognizes the contributions of long-serving employees and frontline teams whose dedication has supported its continued growth and nationwide reach.

For Home Credit Philippines, the HR Asia recognition reinforces the importance of investing in employee experiences alongside business growth.

As the company continues to strengthen its presence in the Philippine consumer finance industry, it remains committed to creating a workplace where employees have opportunities to build meaningful careers, develop their capabilities, and contribute to the company's long-term success.

Home Credit Philippines is a financing company duly licensed and supervised by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

2GO Delivers Learning Resources to Public Schools in Culion, Palawan

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Donation of books bound for Culion Foundation, Inc. (CFI) beneficiaries (Photo courtesy of CFI)

MANILA, Philippines, October 2026 — 2GO, the country's leading integrated transportation and logistics provider, partnered with Culion Foundation, Inc. (CFI) to deliver essential learning resources to 19 public schools across Culion, Palawan, helping make educational materials more accessible to students in one of the country's island communities.

Through 2GO’s integrated transport and logistics network, CFI delivered 17,239 books to elementary and high school students across the coastal municipality. The initiative supports CFI’s Education Program, which aims to strengthen local literacy, improve access to learning materials, and advance foundational educational goals.

The collaboration demonstrates how 2GO’s core capabilities can support organizations in reaching beneficiaries beyond major urban centers. By facilitating the transport of donated resources to underserved communities, 2GO helps connect organizations with the students and families they seek to serve.

“At 2GO, we believe our role goes beyond providing transport and logistics solutions. By working with partners like the Culion Foundation, we leverage our nationwide reach to help address community needs and support education initiatives that create more opportunities for the next generation. Ultimately, connecting the country means helping ensure that more Filipinos can participate in and benefit from its growth,” said 2GO President and CEO Frederic DyBuncio.

For organizations distributing resources across geographically dispersed communities, reliable logistics is essential to translating donations into tangible support for beneficiaries. By working with trusted community organizations, 2GO applies its transport and logistics solutions to move essential resources where they are needed, while contributing to broader efforts to improve access to education.

“Our partnership with 2GO has been instrumental in helping us bring donated books to public schools across Culion. Their logistics support demonstrates how the private sector can mobilize its core strengths to create collective community impact. Together, we are helping make learning resources more accessible and opening more opportunities for children to learn, grow, and thrive,” said Eugenio M. Caccam Jr., CFI executive director.

The initiative reflects 2GO's commitment to extending the value of its integrated solutions beyond commercial requirements. By working with organizations on the ground, the company helps connect resources with communities and supports efforts to expand access to education.

HUAWEI Teases nova 16s Series: The King of AI Selfies with Front & Rear True-to-Color Cameras, 200MP Main Camera, and 5G, Starting at PHP 29,999

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Self-expression meets next-level smartphone innovation as HUAWEI unveils the nova 16s Series, arriving soon in the Philippines with prices starting at PHP 29,999. Earning its title as the “King of AI Selfies,” the new lineup raises the bar in the front-facing camera experience by keeping skin tones true-to-color, preserving crystal-clear facial details, and providing smart AI-powered tools to effortlessly elevate every selfie.

The HUAWEI nova Series Legacy Continues

The HUAWEI nova Series has always focused on the vibrant self-expression of young people. Because it is designed for a generation that loves to create, curate, and share, HUAWEI dedicates its most advanced and cutting-edge front-facing selfie technology to the nova Series. By prioritizing these camera breakthroughs, the series continuously blends high-performance tech with trendsetting fashion DNA to match the confident lifestyle of today's youth.

This year, the legacy continues with the HUAWEI nova 16s Series, reinforcing its position as the “King of AI Selfies” with its latest innovations in mobile photography. Featuring Front and Rear True-to-Colour Cameras, a 200MP main camera, and reliable 5G connectivity, the series helps users capture every moment in stunning detail. Its smart AI imaging tools, including AI Composition and AI Move, make it easier to enhance photos.

King of AI Selfies with Front and Rear True-to-Color Cameras

Whether vlogging at a weekend music festival, capturing outfit photos under bright sunlight, or snapping memories during late-night hangouts, the HUAWEI nova 16s Pro’s powerful dual front camera system helps users capture true colors as they appear in real life.

HUAWEI’s exclusive Front True-to-Color Camera is equipped with a 1.5 MP multispectral sensor and pixel-level spectral perception algorithms to actively detect ambient color temperatures. This reproduces colors more naturally across tricky lighting situations like neon concert lights or harsh midday sun, improving color accuracy by 120%[1] and spatial resolution by 100,000x to eliminate distortion and keep skin tones and makeup true to life.

Along with the 50MP Ultra Portrait Camera, the HUAWEI nova 16s Pro also features a 1/2.5-inch ultra-large front camera sensor that captures significantly more light. This ensures exceptional clarity during nighttime parties or dimly lit dinners while preserving natural facial details. Finally, this 50MP Ultra Portrait Camera introduces the industry’s first 0.8x–5x Selfie Zoom, giving users flexibility to capture everything, from ultra-wide group shots with the entire squad to detailed close-up selfies that show off their eye makeup or accessories.

On the back, the HUAWEI nova 16s Pro boasts a powerful four-camera system that elevates everyday photography. This quad-camera setup introduces a dedicated Rear True-to-Color Camera that enhances the color accuracy of all the other rear lenses. Thanks to this integration, users can be confident that their photos will always show their true colors with authentic, natural skin tones, whether they are shooting portraits from the front or the rear cameras.

Anchoring this setup is a flagship-level 200MP RYYB Ultra-Large Sensor Main Camera with a 1/1.28-inch sensor and F1.8 aperture to capture more light and produce clearer photos in low-light conditions. Users can also crop photos of distant concert stages or travel destinations while keeping important details clear.

The HUAWEI nova 16s Series makes photography and editing effortless for young creators using smart AI tools. AI Composition serves as a built-in photography assistant, offering real-time guidance on lighting, perspective, and subject positioning to help make every photo feed-ready. AI Move enables users to reposition subjects in a frame, while AI Remove erases photobombers and background clutter with seamless color blending. For shots taken through reflective surfaces, AI De-Glare sweeps away distracting reflections. Finally, AI Best Expression scans multiple captures to swap and select everyone's best facial look, so no one is caught blinking in group photos.

Powerful Performance & All-Day Durability

For young professionals on the move, the HUAWEI nova 16s Series delivers a smarter, seamless mobile experience powered by robust 5G. This advanced connectivity enables significantly faster upload and download speeds for uploading heavy vlogs and high-resolution photos or lag-free online gaming. The optimized 5G network also ensures instant signal recovery when entering or leaving an elevator, while maintaining stable connections in weak-signal areas such as basement parking lots.

Powered by an upgraded IceBridge Heat Dissipation Architecture, the HUAWEI nova 16s Series delivers smoother gameplay and boosted performance for high-demand activities. The HUAWEI nova 16s Series takes endurance further with a massive 7,000mAh battery and 100W HUAWEI SuperCharge Turbo, topping up to 40% in just 15 minutes. Its vibrant 6.84-inch display features an adaptive 1-120Hz refresh rate and up to 6,000 nits peak brightness, ensuring razor-sharp clarity whether under direct sunlight or reviewing photos.

Wave-Inspired Aesthetics Built for Everyday Adventures

The HUAWEI nova 16s Pro balances everyday durability with a striking visual identity. Built for peace of mind during daily commutes or outdoor travels, the device features an aerospace-grade aluminum mid-frame and durable Kunlun Glass. This specialized glass utilizes an advanced nanocrystal coating to deliver 10x higher drop resistance and 5x higher wear resistance than the previous generation.

This durability is packed into an ultra-slim 7.1 mm, 218 g body with a fingerprint-free Frosted AG Glass back. Inspired by summer skies and rolling waves, its soft icy-blue matte finish and upgraded Twin Star Orbit Ring catch shifting light with a subtle, soothing shimmer.

Users can express their personal style with the HUAWEI nova 16s Pro in Breathing Crystal, Isle Blue, and Starry Black colorways. The HUAWEI nova 16s is available in Breathing Crystal, Starry Black, and Sky White.

Intelligent and Seamless Ecosystem

Equipped with the latest EMUI 16, the HUAWEI nova 16s Series makes everyday tasks easier and more intuitive. Users can take advantage of the enhanced Celia AI Assistant, which responds to voice commands, answers knowledge-based questions, and helps book a ride hands-free.

It also introduces Seamless Cross-OS File Transfer that allows users to share files and high-resolution photos between the HUAWEI nova 16s Series and Apple devices, like the iPhone, iPad, and MacBook.

For everyday tasks, the HUAWEI AppGallery delivers a smooth and reliable app experience, allowing users to access go-to apps like Gcash, BDO, Shopee, and Grab, and explore Google essentials like Gmail, YouTube, Drive, Meet, and Docs.

Experience the Most Powerful nova Series Ever

The HUAWEI nova 16s Series delivers a fresh take on the youthful flagship experience. Official pre-orders open on October 30, offering the HUAWEI nova 16s at a promo price of PHP 29,999 and the HUAWEI nova 16s Pro at PHP 39,999, giving early buyers a limited-time PHP 5,000 discount. All pre-orders include a premium gift bundle worth up to PHP 14,997.

An exclusive deposit promo runs on the official HUAWEI Online Store from October 23 (10:00 AM) to October 29 (11:59 PM), where a PHP 500 deposit grants a PHP 6,000 discount.

Early buyers on Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop can claim a PHP 5,000 voucher. Early bird vouchers and promos are limited, so claim now before they are gone.

To celebrate the upcoming launch, HUAWEI invites everyone to join the TikTok #TrueColorsSelfieChallenge starting October 23. Using the exclusive HUAWEI nova 16s Series Branded Effect, capture your true colors and post your selfie video using the hashtags #TrueColorsSelfieChallenge, #HUAWEInova16sSeries, and #KingOfAISelfies. With a total prize pool worth PHP 2,249,950, the top 50 users with the highest views will win a brand-new HUAWEI nova 16s Pro.

Stay tuned for official availability, and visit the official HUAWEI website and HUAWEI’s official social media pages (Facebook | Instagram).

[1] Data comes from Huawei labs, and compares HUAWEI nova 16s Pro with HUAWEI nova 14.

Do More, Carry Less: Meet the Viral ‘No-Tripod’ Galaxy Z Flip8 and Next-Gen Smartwatches

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The Galaxy Z Flip8 makes hands-free content creation effortless, so you can capture more moments wherever life takes you.

From capturing solo travel memories to keeping up with fitness goals, today’s lifestyles call for technology that can keep pace without adding to the things people carry. With the Galaxy Z Flip8, Galaxy Watch9, and Galaxy Watch Ultra2, users can enjoy more convenient ways to create content, stay active, and make the most of every experience.

The appeal of going hands-free continues to grow. Whether it’s filming a morning routine or capturing a workout, the Galaxy Z Flip8 and Samsung’s latest smartwatches offer practical ways to bring technology into everyday pursuits.

Hands-Free Creativity with the Galaxy Z Flip8

With its compact foldable design and FlexCam, the Galaxy Z Flip8 makes it easier to capture photos and videos hands-free, without the need for a separate tripod.

By folding the device at a suitable angle and placing it on a stable surface, users can frame hands-free shots for outfit checks, travel diaries, group photos, and everyday videos. The FlexWindow also allows users to preview shots and capture moments without unfolding the device, while Super Steady video helps keep footage stable when recording on the move.

Beyond its practical design, the Galaxy Z Flip8 gives users more opportunities to express their individuality and capture life's moments, making it a natural companion for an active, on-the-go lifestyle.

Stay on track with Galaxy Watch9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra2

Meanwhile, the Galaxy Watch9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra2 help users stay connected to their wellness goals and active lifestyles. The Galaxy Watch9 supports everyday health and fitness tracking, making it a practical companion for monitoring activity and building more consistent routines.

The Galaxy Watch Ultra2 is designed for more demanding activities, bringing together a durable design and features suited to active adventures. Whether working toward a new fitness milestone, exploring a destination, or simply making more time for movement, both smartwatches help users keep their goals in focus while spending more time doing what they enjoy.

Upgrade Your Flip Side with Exclusive Galaxy Offers

For those ready to experience foldable innovation, Samsung offers more reasons to upgrade. Trade in an eligible device and enjoy up to 50% trade-in savings on the Galaxy Z Flip8, bringing iconic style, intelligent features, and innovation together in one compact device. The trade-in offer is available until November 8, 2026.

Consumers can also power up their payday with exclusive Galaxy offers available from October 26 to 31, 2026. Get 10% off the Galaxy Z Flip8, plus an extra 10% off on up to 24-month installments and freebies. Meanwhile, shoppers can use the code GALAXYAF30 to enjoy 30% off the Galaxy Watch Ultra2, plus freebies.

With these limited-time offers, it is the perfect opportunity to upgrade their devices and discover new ways to capture moments, stay active, and pursue their passions with Galaxy.

For more details on the promotions, eligible devices, and full terms and conditions, visit Samsung Philippines.

DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-268621, 266841, 269369, 267976, and 266269 Series of 2026

InLife champions health protection that goes beyond the hospital bill

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As Breast Cancer Awareness Month draws to a close this October, InLife University Sr. Asst. Vice President and Business Development Head Fay Cuadra shares her journey from a routine check-up to achieving one year with No Evidence of Disease (NED), and the importance of comprehensive health coverage in managing the true cost of healing.

A cancer diagnosis can change a life and the cost of care can reshape a family’s future. As Breast Cancer Awareness Month closes this October, InLife is championing early detection and comprehensive health protection to help Filipinos face both challenges with greater confidence.

For InLife University Senior Assistant Vice President and Business Development Head Fay Cuadra, that commitment is personal. After more than 20 years in the insurance industry, she found herself navigating the uncertainties she had long helped others prepare for.

A routine Executive Check-Up flagged a breast abnormality requiring a biopsy, despite the absence of pain or noticeable symptoms. "When you hear those words, it feels like time has suddenly stopped. You can spend years advising people about protection and preparing for the unexpected, but when you become the patient, everything feels different," Fay recalls.

Following her cancer diagnosis, Cuadra underwent neoadjuvant therapy, a mastectomy with breast reconstruction, and radiation therapy. Today, she marks one year with No Evidence of Disease (NED), meaning current examinations and tests show no detectable cancer.

Her initial diagnostic procedures exhausted her inpatient Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) limits. Breast surgery cost approximately ₱800,000, followed by ₱585,000 for radiation therapy. Six months later, she underwent another major procedure, a Total Abdominal Hysterectomy with Bilateral Salpingo-Oophorectomy (TAHBSO), costing an additional ₱700,000. Even with PhilHealth benefits, PWD discounts, corporate leave benefits, and personal insurance payouts, the financial burden remained considerable. "Your HMO, group hospitalization coverage, and individual insurance policies may have different benefits, limits, and conditions. It is important to understand how these work together and identify any gaps in your protection," Cuadra explains.

Closing the gap with InLife Global Care

To help Filipino families address these gaps, InLife offers InLife Global Care, a comprehensive health insurance solution with up to ₱125 million in annual coverage and access to accredited hospitals, clinics, and specialists in the Philippines and abroad.

Its benefits extend beyond hospitalization to eligible outpatient consultations, diagnostic scans, and monitoring therapies. The plan also offers cashless service options through supported providers, guaranteed annual renewability up to age 99, and worldwide emergency coverage of up to ₱12.5 million outside the selected coverage area, subject to policy terms and conditions.

"Healthcare confidence is knowing that when a serious medical situation happens, you have choices, resources, and someone you can rely on to help you move forward. InLife Global Care aims to provide all these and more so Filipinos can have access to quality healthcare without compromising everything they worked hard for. This is what we mean by World-class care, Filipino heart, and InLife certainty," states InLife Chief Product and Innovation Officer Jose Eduardo O. Ang.

A milestone of gratitude and action

For Cuadra, protection also meant having people beside her. She credits her husband, family, and InLife colleagues for supporting her recovery, including InLife President Raoul Littaua, who personally encouraged her to focus on healing. "Cancer treatment does not end when you leave the hospital or complete your surgery. Follow-up consultations, blood tests, monitoring scans, medications, and ongoing medical care became important parts of my recovery. You have to consider the entire healthcare journey, not just the initial hospital bill," she emphasizes.

As Breast Cancer Awareness Month comes to a close, Fay encourages women not to delay preventive check-ups or wait for symptoms before seeking medical advice. "Early detection can make a difference in identifying cancer and understanding your treatment options. Do not postpone the check-up that could change your life," she says.

Through InLife Global Care and its continuing call for preventive care, InLife encourages Filipinos to take two essential steps: prioritize their health and prepare financially for the care they may need.