The Filipino R&B icon urges young artists to protect themselves – an issue mirrored in his new film, Songs For Selina
Filipino R&B king Jay R recently weighed in on the controversy surrounding the exploitative practices in the local music industry.
This comes after young singer-songwriter MRLD broke her silence about her departure from OC Records, alleging unfair compensation and limited marketing support, with claims that have sparked broader conversations online about transparency, artist rights, and the power imbalance between emerging musicians and record labels.
In a TikTok video posted over the weekend, Jay R spoke out about what he calls “uncomfortable truths,” reflecting on the dark side of the industry that has long placed new artists at a disadvantage. “I’ve been in this industry for more than 20 years, and situations like this really do happen to artists,” Jay R said. “It has happened to me as well. When you’re starting out, you enter record deals and contracts without fully understanding what’s written in them. Sometimes, you don’t really comprehend the terms.” He stressed the importance of legal advice and contract literacy for emerging musicians navigating the complexities of recording agreements.
“That’s why it’s important for artists to carefully read their contracts,” he added. “You should have a lawyer and review everything line by line. You need to understand exactly what you’re getting into. It’s a harsh truth about the industry, but it’s real. And honestly, I think it’s perfect timing that this issue has come to light. Artists need to be educated about what really happens behind closed doors.” The short-form video post has garnered more than a million views on TikTok and Facebook, combined, fueling wider debate about accountability with the music business.
Jay R further expanded on the topic during the press conference for Songs For Selina, a music-themed film that he produced and stars in. While fictional in form, the project echoes the same tensions now being publicly discussed: creative ownership, exploitation, and the invisible pressures artists face behind the spotlight. “Artists sometimes fear being marginalized or even blacklisted when they speak about the truth,” Jay R shared. “The story of Songs For Selina comes from real experiences: ours and the stories of fellow artists who have lived through these realities.”
Starring Rachel Coates and Mica Javier, Songs For Selina explores the power structures embedded in the music industry and the ethical dilemmas confronting artists as they navigate ambition, loyalty, and survival in a competitive landscape.
Whether by coincidence or design, the film’s themes now resonate with real-world conversation unfolding across the Philippine music scene—one that many believe is long overdue. Songs For Selina opens in Ayala Cinemas nationwide beginning March 18, 2026.
Baguio City once again came alive with colors, blooms, and celebration as the Panagbenga Festival filled its streets with floats, music, and the vibrant spirit of the Cordillera community. Beyond the festivities, the festival also highlighted a deeper story unfolding on the ground: how local entrepreneurs—many of them small family-run businesses—are gaining greater access to financial tools that allow them to participate more fully in the local digital economy.
For many nano, micro, small, and medium enterprises (NMSMEs), access to safe and convenient financial services is not just about efficiency—it is about opportunity, dignity in work, and the ability to grow their livelihoods. At this year’s Panagbenga Festival, GCash, the country’s leading finance super app and largest cashless ecosystem, supported local merchants by bringing practical digital solutions and on-ground activities that help level the playing field for small businesses.
By enabling simpler, safer, and more accessible transactions, these tools help ensure that even the smallest vendors—from sari-sari stores to flower stalls—can serve more customers and benefit from the surge in tourism during one of the country’s most beloved cultural celebrations.
The grand celebration was led by Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong and Vice Mayor Faustino Olowan, together with Congressman Mauricio Domogan and the Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon as guests of honor. The local government recognized the growing role of digital financial access in helping communities strengthen livelihoods and support inclusive economic participation.
“As proof of Baguio’s resilience, our deep pride in our Cordillera heritage, and our unique capacity to celebrate culture with discipline, it fuels our creative economy and strengthens local livelihood,” said Vice Mayor Olowan.
For this year’s festivities, GCash carried the theme “Festival of Progress: Empowering Local NMSMEs as the Heart of the Celebration,” highlighting how cashless payments help small businesses serve more customers and unlock new income opportunities during peak moments of celebration.
GCash activations reached festival-goers and merchants across multiple touchpoints—from bus terminals and malls to gas stations, public markets, and along the famous Session Road. Merchant crawls showcased MSMEs embracing digital finance, while mall and market activations demonstrated how QR payments and GCash Pera Outlet can transform everyday stalls into community financial service points.
For this year’s Panagbenga, GCash initiative highlighted how accessible digital tools—from QR payments to community-based digital hubs for financial transactions — can help small merchants participate more equitably in the festival economy and expand their growth opportunities.
“Financial inclusion is about ensuring that every enterprise — no matter the size — has access to the tools needed to participate and thrive in today’s economy. Through solutions such as QR payments, SoundPay Plus, EasyPOS, and PocketPay, we help give smaller businesses the same opportunities as larger enterprises. At the same time, GCash Pera Outlet enables sari-sari stores and market stalls to provide essential services such as bills payment, remittances, and mobile load, bringing financial access closer to communities,” said Cleo Celeste Santos, GCash vice president and head of public sector.
Strengthening livelihoods at the community level
Across Baguio’s neighborhoods, sari-sari stores, flower vendors, cafés, and market stalls are more than businesses—they are lifelines that sustain families and support local communities. During Panagbenga, these entrepreneurs serve as the frontliners of local commerce, welcoming thousands of visitors and supporting household incomes.
For many merchants, access to digital financial tools has helped make their livelihoods more stable and resilient.
Jen, a cashier at Caroline Trading, has seen the small sari-sari store grow into a mini mart since adopting GCash. “Halos lahat nasa GCash na po, at mas dumami pa ang pumupunta dahil parang pinakamadaling way dito sa amin—very convenient. Mas nag-improve yung sales kasi halos cashless na po lahat. Para sa mga negosyo na mag-start pa lang, i-try lang nila kasi effective siya.”
For GCash Pera Outlet partner Marie Audrey Salvador, a general merchandise store owner in Baguio’s public market, going cashless created a more stable income stream while allowing her business to serve as a financial access point for the community.
“Nag-start kami ng negosyo noong July 2023, at napakarami na nitong naitulong sa akin—sa bills, sa rents, at sa travels with family. Dati sapat-sapat lang; ngayon nakaka-afford na rin kami mag-travel. Aside from cashless payments, nagse-serve din kami as cash-in, cash-out, pay bills, at load—sobrang laki ng tulong.”
Meanwhile, Tita Leah’s Food Specialty, a well-loved Baguio delicacy brand, found that digital payment tools helped streamline operations as their business expanded. “Dati hiwalay din ang nakukuha ng transaction confirmation. Na-solve yun ni SoundPay. Ngayon hindi na kailangan ng storekeeper na tumawag sa amin for confirmation—seamless na siya,” shared Don Paez.
For Yuan, a barista at Balai Studio Cafe, the shift to cashless payments also means better service for a growing number of tourists. “GCash eases our business operations at talagang napakadali. Marami po kaming foreigners na customer at naghahanap din po sila ng cashless payment.”
Protecting livelihoods in the digital space
As more Filipinos embrace digital finance, ensuring safety and trust remains essential to protecting the livelihoods of merchants and consumers alike. GCash continues to promote awareness and education to help users safeguard their accounts and income. The message remains simple but important: do not click suspicious links and never share your one-time password (OTP) with anyone.
By strengthening financial safety and awareness, GCash aims to ensure that small businesses can confidently participate in the digital economy while protecting the income they work hard to earn.
Sustaining inclusive growth beyond the festival
While Panagbenga lasts only a few weeks, its impact on communities can endure far longer. By expanding access to financial tools and services, GCash supports local entrepreneurs in building stronger businesses, supporting their families, and contributing to the broader local economy.
For GCash, working alongside communities like Baguio City is part of a broader commitment to advancing financial inclusion, expanding economic opportunity, and helping build an economy where progress is shared—ensuring that the benefits of growth reach even the smallest businesses at the heart of Filipino communities.
● #FYP: Future‑proofing Young Pinoys study also shows women report significantly higher stress and wider work-life imbalance gap than men
● Manulife’s health and protection solutions aim to help Filipino women safeguard their health and longevity, income, and long‑term financial goals
MANILA, Philippines — Data from Manulife’s #FYP: Future-proofing Young Pinoys study shows that 60% of young Filipino women prioritize their healthspan—the years spent in good health—compared to 46% of male respondents. Women also place greater importance on financial independence than men (60% vs. 44%), underscoring that Filipinas want a future on their own terms.
Yet the path toward that future is not without its pressures. The same study finds that 73% of female respondents report high stress levels, compared to 55% of their male counterparts. The work-life balance gap offers a telling glimpse of why stress levels are notably wider among women (22%) compared to men (15%), reflecting the competing demands many Filipinas navigate across their professional, personal, and caregiving roles.
For many women, this pressure shows up as sustained stress that affects everyday well-being. One in five experiences shortfalls in sleep, while 15% struggle to maintain a balanced diet, foundational habits that directly influence health, energy, and resilience.
It is worth noting that awareness isn’t the issue. Most survey respondents report strong knowledge of health and wellness—yet 76% of millennial women say stress prevents them from pursuing their desired level of well-being, highlighting a persistent gap between knowledge and action.
“The data is clear: many women are feeling the physical and mental strain of trying to manage everything at once. With careers, caregiving, and financial pressures converging, Manulife is focused on giving Filipino women practical options to protect their health today while building financial confidence for tomorrow,” said Grace Mallabo, Chief Health and Products Officer, Manulife Philippines.
Turning insights into action: Solutions that help Filipinas protect their health today and build financial confidence for tomorrow
Through its suite of health and protection solutions, including the Manulife HealthFlex critical illness plan, which offers coverage for over 100 critical illnesses from early diagnosis to recovery, and provides additional benefits for gender-specific cancers, including breast, cervical, ovarian, and uterine cancer for women, among many others. Manulife Medical Secure, meanwhile, provides up to PHP5 million in medical coverage with cashless access to over 1,700 hospitals and clinics nationwide; and Manulife GoalReady, which supports long-term financial goals with protection and investment features, Manulife helps women safeguard their financial independence, no matter what stage or season of life they’re in.
As part of its global commitment to championing longevity, Manulife runs programs such as ManulifeMOVE, a holistic health platform designed to encourage healthier habits through everyday movement and proactive lifestyle choices Manulife Philippines and Manulife China Bank Life also recently entered into a partnership with ACHealth that aims to educate Filipinos on cancer prevention and help improve access to comprehensive cancer care.
“Closing the work-life balance gap starts with tools that enable women to protect what matters most: health, income, and time,” Mallabo added. “With the right coverage and guidance, women can move through every stage of life with confidence, whether they’re building careers, caring for family, or planning for the future. That’s how we champion longevity—not just living longer, but living better—by making financial wellness practical, personal, and empowering for every Filipina.”
As Women’s Month calls attention to the resilience and contributions of Filipino women, Manulife Philippines encourages women to prioritize their own health and financial security now and for the long term.
This initiative builds on Manulife’s refreshed strategy, advancing its strategic priority of empowering customers’ health, wealth, and longevity and aligns to the recently launched Manulife Longevity Institute, a global platform to drive action that helps people live longer, healthier, and more financially secure lives by 2030.
As Lent approaches, many Filipino families switch things up and adhere to modest, meatless meals. It’s all about vegetables, fish, and plant-based cuisine that everyone enjoys. At SM Hypermarket Baliwag, customers will find fresh, healthful foods, making it simple to stick to tradition without feeling deprived.
Kimchi Pancake is a guilt-free side dish you should try this Lenten season. Grab yours now at SM Hypermarket Baliwag.
In the produce section, everything from leafy greens like kangkong and pechay to staples like eggplant and squash is readily available. These are on-the-go ingredients for the classic recipes people keep coming back to during Lent. Over in the seafood aisle, there’s no shortage of choices: fish, shrimp, shellfish—these are perfect for grilling, steaming, stewing, or whatever suits the family.
Kimchi Pancake is a guilt-free side dish you should try this Lenten season. Grab yours now at SM Hypermarket Baliwag.
Curious about new options? SM Hypermarket also stocks more plant-based products lately. Tofu and meat substitutes such as vegetable dumplings are right there on the shelves, so going meatless feels less like a sacrifice and more like something to actually look forward to.
Kimchi Pancake is a guilt-free side dish you should try this Lenten season. Grab yours now at SM Hypermarket Baliwag.
Put it all together, and SM Hypermarket Baliwag really helps families whip up meals that feel meaningful, nourishing, and affordable all throughout Lent.
Women’s Month this year opened with a clear message: women are done settling for less. Across social media, conversations about respect and accountability have been louder than ever.
But empowerment isn’t just about calling things out. For many, it’s also about making sure they never feel financially stuck in the first place. Because independence doesn’t only show up in conversations or personal choices. It shows up in everyday decisions, including how we manage our money.
As the country’s #1 Digital Bank and leading all-in-one fintech platform in the Philippines, Maya is helping more Filipinos take control of their finances with tools that make saving, spending, and borrowing easier to manage.
If you’re thinking about strengthening your own financial independence, here are a few places to start:
Start by Building Your Own Safety Net
One of the most empowering things you can do for yourself financially is having a buffer.
Life happens: a medical bill, an urgent repair, or a sudden trip. And when those things come up, having savings means you don’t have to rely on anyone else or scramble for solutions.
With Maya Personal Goals, you can create up to five savings targets for things like emergencies, travel, or future plans. Each goal earns 4% interest per annum immediately, and every ₱20,000 added increases the rate, reaching up to 8% p.a. on deposits of up to ₱100,000.
If you prefer a more structured way to grow your savings, Time Deposit Plus allows you to lock in funds for 3, 6, or 12 months, earning up to 6% p.a. on deposits of up to ₱1 million per account. With up to five accounts available, that’s as much as ₱5 million growing through disciplined saving.
Spend for Yourself. Not for Expectations.
Another part of financial independence is deciding what your money should actually go toward.
Used responsibly, credit cards can make everyday spending work in your favor. The Maya Black Credit Card, for example, turns routine purchases into rewards. Cardholders earn instant Maya Miles on all transactions — from groceries and bills to flights, hotel bookings, dining, and more.
At Maya Black Preferred merchants, you can earn up to 10X Maya Miles, helping rewards build faster on select purchases. Those Miles can later be used to offset future travel and lifestyle expenses.
With no annual fees for life, Maya Black also comes with premium perks like complimentary quarterly global lounge access, making travels more comfortable without the typical annual costs associated with premium cards.
For those who prioritize everyday savings, the Landers Cashback Everywhere Credit Card offers a practical way to make the most of your spending. Cardholders can enjoy up to 5% cashback at Landers, 2% cashback on dining, and 1% cashback on other transactions, turning routine expenses into real savings.
Borrow When You Need To — But Borrow Smart
Independence doesn’t mean never seeking help. It means knowing your options.
For short-term needs, Maya Easy Credit[1] offers a revolving credit line of up to ₱50,000, payable up to 30 days, helping bridge temporary cash flow gaps while giving you clear visibility into repayment.
For big goals or unexpected expenses, Maya Personal Loan[2] provides up to ₱250,000 with flexible repayment terms of up to 24 months, making it easier to manage obligations without unpredictable balances.
Having a variety of borrowing options means you can stay in control of the situation, not the other way around.
Let Your Money Grow Alongside Your Goals
Financial independence rarely comes from one big move. More often, it’s built through small decisions like saving consistently, spending intentionally, and making sure your money is working for you.
Keeping funds in Maya Savings can earn up to 15% interest per annum, credited daily, helping balances grow steadily while remaining accessible when needed.
Women’s Month is often about celebrating progress. But it’s also a reminder of something important: Independence isn’t just social or cultural. It’s financial too. And increasingly, more Filipinas are making sure they have both.
To know more, visit maya.ph or mayabank.ph, and follow @mayaiseverything on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok to stay updated. Approval and offer are subject to credit evaluation. Maya Philippines, Inc. and Maya Bank, Inc. are regulated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (www.bsp.gov.ph). Deposits are insured by PDIC up to ₱1 million per depositor. For 24/7 assistance, visit the Help Center in the Maya app or call us from 8 AM to 7 PM daily at +632 8845-7788.
Filipinos can claim the free coverage through the GCash app until March 21,2026
Accidents and life-threatening moments can strike anytime, and for many, having financial protection can make a crucial difference. To help more Filipinos, particularly the underserved, experience the value of insurance firsthand, GCash, through digital insurance platform GInsure, is offering free accident insurance powered by Singlifefor a limited time, as a public service initiative aimed at expanding access to protection.
While unforeseen emergencies remain among the top concerns of Filipino households, insurance penetration in the country continues to be lower than regional neighbors at around 1.79% due to lack of awareness, trust barriers, and limited financial resources. This initiative seeks to help bridge that gap by giving eligible GCash users, access to free accident insurance for up to three months, which they can claim directly through the GCash app.
The policy gives families extra peace of mind with income coverage up to Php100,000 in the event of accidental death or disability. Users can activate their free protection until March 21, 2026 by simply opening GInsure and clicking the Singlife free insurance banner.
“Insurance continues to be out of reach for many Filipinos because of cost and uncertainty. Together with our partner Singlife, we’re helping bridge that gap by giving people the opportunity to experience insurance coverage for free as a public service,” emphasized Winsley Bangit, group head of new businesses at Mynt, the parent company of GCash.
“Protection shouldn’t be a privilege; it should be within reach for every Filipino. With GCash, we’re removing barriers and giving families the chance to experience real financial protection, at no cost.” said Lester Cruz, CEO of Singlife.
By removing upfront costs and simplifying access through GCash, a platform used daily by millions of Filipinos to manage their personal finances, the initiative encourages more Filipinos to explore financial protection as part of their everyday financial toolkit.
Through programs that widen access to insurance and other financial services, GCash continues to make practical and meaningful safeguards more accessible across communities, helping individuals and families build resilience against life’s uncertainties while strengthening confidence in their financial future. For more information, please visit www.gcash.com.
Summer is here, and that means long sunny days, weekend getaways, and a wardrobe refresh that matches the season’s vibrant vibe. Whether you love breezy streetwear, timeless classics, or stylish accessories that are both functional and playful, SM City Valenzuela has the hottest picks to keep you summer-ready.
ARTWORK: FUN AND FUNCTIONAL
ARTWORK brings a playful twist to your summer wardrobe. Their bag, t-shirt, and bag charm bundle are perfect for adding personality to your everyday look. Each piece is uniquely designed with quirky prints and colors that make it a breeze to mix and match for sunny outings.
GIORDANO: GO FOR CLASSIC
Giordano has been defining casual style in the Philippines since 1989. The brand continues its legacy of simplicity, comfort, and quality with modern wardrobe staples. This season, the classic t-shirt dress is your go-to piece for effortless summer style. Pair it with sneakers for daytime adventures or sandals for a relaxed evening look.
Anello: The Go-To Summer Bag
Travel light and in style with Anello. Known for its practical and stylish bags, Anello, a Japanese brand, simplifies summer packing. The signature Kuchigane backpack opens wide for easy access and holds everything you need for beach trips or city explorations. For eco-conscious shoppers, the Repreve collection uses recycled PET bottles so you can stay stylish and sustainable.
BNY: Streetwear That Moves With You
Summer is all about carefree, laid-back style, and BNY delivers just that. This homegrown streetwear brand champions Filipino urban fashion with lightweight jackets, denim shorts, and statement tees. Affordable, trendy, and comfortable, BNY is perfect for long walks, city adventures, and weekend chillouts.
Outland: Footwear for Every Adventure
No summer wardrobe is complete without the perfect pair of shoes. Outland combines premium leather craftsmanship with comfort in its sandals, slip-ons, and slingbacks. Whether for a seaside escape or a casual city date, these shoes let you move with confidence while keeping every outfit stylishly grounded.
PENSHOPPE: SUMMER ACCESSORIES and SCENT
Penshoppe takes summer style beyond clothing. Their scented candles and fragrance gel beads keep your personal space fresh and inviting, while twill caps protect you from the sun without compromising style. Perfect for accessorizing your summer wardrobe, these essentials let you stay on-trend from morning errands to evening hangouts.
The heat is rising, and so should your fashion game. From wardrobe staples to statement pieces and travel-ready accessories, SM City Valenzuela is your go-to destination this summer. Refresh your summer look today and step into the season with confidence, style, and fun.
(L-R) general manager for GCash International Arjun Varma, and Careem Pay vice president Mohammad El Saadi
GCash, Careem Pay partnership enables faster remittances for Filipinos in UAE
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.
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.
MANILA, Philippines — Unfinished ideas, ambitious prototypes, and concepts once kept in notebooks and hard drives are set to take center stage as De La Salle-College of St. Benilde introduced the finalists of the second edition of Benilde Open Design + Art, its grant initiative that supports Filipino creatives in developing, producing, and presenting untried and experimental projectsat the intersection of art, design, technology, and sustainability.
Designed as a platform for all creatives such as artists, architects, designers, and filmmakers to move bold concepts from proposal to public presentation, the program provides production funding of up to Php300,000 per selected project, alongside curatorial guidance and an exhibition platform.
From hundreds of proposals submitted locally and internationally, only a small group was selected for the opportunity to develop their ideas at full scale. The resulting works span disciplines including video, installation, textile, industrial design, and jewelry, among others, reflecting how contemporary practice moves fluidly between the handmade and the high-tech, the poetic, and the practical.
The 10 Benilde Open grantees, each receiving a P300,000 production grant, are: Andi Osmeña; Bianca Carague; Karl Castro; Kiri Dalena and Ben Brix; Krishner Appay; Mac Andre Arboleda; Mikael Joaquin; Nicole Racal; Niño Tayao; and Studio Unosinotra.
Running alongside Benilde Open is Best of Benilde, a category dedicated to Benilde students that supports the realization of student-led projects with both funding and full curatorial assistance. The Best of Benilde grantees are Patty Malijan and Pen Vinzon, each receiving a P50,000 grant.
The Best of Benilde spotlights how student work can extend beyond the classroom by elevating early-stage ideas into publicly experienced projects and giving emerging creatives a platform to test their thinking in the real world.
Extension of Nature
All finalists worked under the 2025 theme, “Extension of Nature,” which challenges creatives to imagine a future where art and technology work in harmony with the environment, not against it. The theme draws from the evolving history of kinetic and responsive art, pointing to a lineage of works that not only move, but also respond, interact, and adapt whether through wind, light, sensors, reclaimed systems, or hybrid materials.
Rather than treating nature as something to conquer, “Extension of Nature” asks participants to design with nature as collaborator: to build poetic machines, invent hybrid ecosystems, and craft material narratives that can shift how people think about energy, motion, and interdependence.
In this spirit, Benilde Open Design + Art becomes a call for experiments for projects that blur boundaries between the organic and engineered, the useful and expressive, and the speculative and real.
Finalists for the second edition were reviewed by an international panel of judges composed of Jihoi Lee (Curator, MMCA Korea; founder of Watch & Chill), Mireia Luzárraga (Co-founder, TAKK; Assistant Professor, Columbia GSAPP), Nathalie Huni (Managing Director, Head of Design, Wells Fargo), Timothy Moore (Curator of Contemporary Design and Architecture and Melbourne Design Week, NGV; founder of Sibling Architecture; Senior Lecturer, Monash University), and Freddy Anzures (Filipino-American designer from the original iPhone team and holder of numerous iPhone-related patents).
Benilde Open Design + Art and Best of Benilde are convened in synergy with De La Salle University by Ayi Magpayo, Rita Nazareno, Gabby Lichauco, Joselina Cruz, and Dindin Araneta, with the support of Br. Dodo Fernandez FSC, Benilde President. Together, the initiative is envisioned as a platform that nurtures collaboration, invention, and bold thinking supporting creatives whose work challenges conventions and resists the status quo.
As the College of St. Benilde celebrates its 37th founding year, it continues to champion innovation and inclusion through programs that prepare learners for leadership in creative, digital, and service industries, supported by industry-linked education, state-of-the-art facilities, and global connections.
Visit Benilde Open Design + Art and Best of Benilde
The exhibition opens on April 11 and will run until April 27, 2026 at several spaces in De La Salle College of Saint Benilde – School of Design + Arts (SDA) Campus.
Building a digital future: GCash celebrates 7th Bangsamoro Foundation Day with a push towards inclusive, cashless communities
In support of the commitment of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to promote inclusive and people-centered progress, GCash, the country’s leading finance app, took part in the 7th Bangsamoro Foundation Day by working alongside the Bangsamoro Government to deliver initiatives focused on digital inclusion, financial literacy, and community empowerment.
Recognizing that limited access to banking infrastructure remains a barrier to economic participation in many Bangsamoro communities, GCash partnered with the Ministry of Human Settlements and Development (MHSD) and the Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) to bring practical, entry-level digital financial tools closer to citizens. Through these collaborations, the initiative aimed to reach households, beneficiaries, and communities that are often underserved or excluded from the formal financial system.
To help more Bangsamoro residents join the formal financial system, GCash also provided easier access to the GCash Visa Card. This lets users use their digital wallet for everyday purchases, even in places that still require a card. With more ways to pay safely and conveniently, users can participate more actively in the local economy and the shift toward digital payments.
Complementing access, GCash emphasized financial capability and protection through guided demonstrations and financial literacy sessions. Participants were introduced to practical digital wallet use cases relevant to daily life, such as remittances, bill payments, and essential purchases. Residents also took part in financial literacy sessions that focused on cybersecurity, fraud awareness, and responsible digital behavior. These sessions aimed to ensure that adoption of digital finance is safe, informed, and sustainable, particularly for first-time users, PWDs, children, and senior citizens.
“Financial inclusion is more than about access to tools; it is about enabling people to participate fully in the economy and in society,” said CJ Alegre, Head of Sustainability at Mynt, parent company of GCash.
“By working closely with the Bangsamoro Government and engaging communities on the ground, we help ensure that digital finance becomes a practical, safe, and empowering resource for everyday life. When more people are connected to the formal financial system, entire regions benefit through greater economic activity, resilience, and opportunity,” he added.
The participation of GCash in the Bangsamoro Foundation Day reflects its broader strategy to deepen presence in BARMM by combining access, education, and partnerships. By engaging directly with communities and local government stakeholders, the initiative contributed to building trust in digital financial services and supporting the region’s transition toward a more inclusive and resilient digital economy.
Through sustained on-ground engagement and collaboration with regional partners, GCash continues to advance digital inclusion nationwide, helping ensure that communities in BARMM are not left behind as the country moves toward a cash-lite, digitally empowered future.
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