Manila, Philippines, October 13, 2025 – Leading global smart devices provider HONOR Philippines is all set for the arrival of its newest viral smartphone HONOR X7d! In anticipation of the launch, it entices HONOR fans to watch its launch live on Facebook on October 14, 6PM to win a brand-new HONOR X7d: https://bit.ly/X7dLaunch_FB.
About the HONOR X7d
Setting a benchmark as a powerful budget phone with enhanced durability and brand-new AI experience in the market, the HONOR X7d brings 5-star Premium Drop Protection, IP65 Water Resistance, a robust 6500mAh Dual-cell Battery, 108MP Ultra-Clear Main Camera and stunning Instant AI Button.
Don’t miss the arrival of HONOR X7d on October 14! More exciting updates about this latest HONOR device will be revealed in the coming days. Stay updated by visiting www.hihonor.com or following HONOR’s official social media platforms: Facebook (@HonorPhilippines), Instagram (@honorph), and TikTok (@honorphilippines). To explore HONOR’s full list of retail stores, visit https://www.hihonor.com/ph/retailers/.
AXA global executives highlighted the Philippines’ strong growth potential during their visit in the country, citing its expanding economy and young population’s rising demand for insurance and financial services.
[From left to right: AXA Philippines Chief Financial Officer Mikael Malaganne, Chief Human Resources Officer Sharon Hernandez, Chief Operations Officer Kathleen Villegas, Chief Transformation and Technology Officer Caloi Santos, AXA Group Chief Executive Officer Thomas Buberl, AXA Philippines Chief Executive Officer Ayman Kandil, AXA International Markets Chief Executive Officer Hassan El-Shabrawishi, AXA Philippines Chief General Insurance Officer Gael Lapie, AXA Philippines Chief Distribution Officer Khaled Younis, and AXA Philippines Chief Marketing Officer Nandy Villar.]by
Manila, Philippines, October 8, 2025 – AXA, a worldwide leader in insurance, reaffirmed its commitment to the Philippines as a key growth market during the recent visit of its global leadership team. AXA Group Chief Executive Officer Thomas Buberl and AXA International Markets Chief Executive Officer Hassan El-Shabrawishi emphasized the country’s strong potential, citing its growing economy of about 5% per year that is driven by strong domestic demand from a growing yet fragile middle class, its young and dynamic population, and increasing demand for protection and financial solutions. They noted that these factors make the Philippines both a vital market for AXA’s global strategy and a hub of innovation and resilience.
The executives also reinforced AXA’s strong partnership with Metrobank, which anchors the company’s presence in the Philippines. The companies’ long-standing joint venture for over 25 years has pioneered bancassurance in the country, expanded digital channels for easier policy access, and integrated financial education closer to Filipino families and businesses. This partnership continues to amplify access to financial protection while pairing it with risk-reduction education to promote more inclusive economic growth.
[From left to right: AXA International Markets CEO Hassan El-Shabrawishi, AXA Philippines CEO Ayman Kandil, and AXA Group CEO Thomas Buberl]
During their visit, Buberl and El-Shabrawishi emphasized AXA’s mission to provide inclusive, future-ready protection solutions tailored to Filipino households, businesses, and communities. By combining the Group’s global expertise with its strong local presence, AXA aims to deliver solutions that address the country’s unique risks, helping future-proof the lives of Filipinos to ensure economic and financial progress for the long-term—from vulnerability to climate change and natural disasters to reliable safety nets for evolving health and financial challenges.
“Insurance today must go beyond protection after the fact. Our goal is to help communities anticipate risks, prepare for them, and recover more quickly,” said Thomas Buberl, CEO of AXA Group. “The Philippines plays an important role in this vision. If risk preparedness and recovery can be strengthened here, it can serve as a model for other high-risk regions across the globe.”
Hassan El-Shabrawishi highlighted the Philippines as a vital testbed for AXA’s inclusive protection initiatives. “We are committed to scaling access to insurance for underserved groups such as MSMEs, informal workers, and vulnerable households,” he said. “Through AXA EssentiALL, our global inclusive insurance program, we are creating affordable, practical solutions that support financial resilience for millions of families.”
Beyond specific programs, AXA illustrates this commitment by prioritizing financial literacy, enabling digital access, and conducting resilience-building initiatives. In the Philippines, these efforts help families gain a better understanding and appreciation of how insurance can help them navigate life’s uncertainties, making protection a standard part of Filipinos’ everyday lives.
With a focus on deepening partnerships, driving a prevention-first mindset and shifting to more inclusive insurance into general protection benchmarks, the executives’ visit reflects AXA’s broader strategic direction of positioning insurance as an essential societal infrastructure.
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ABOUT AXA PHILIPPINES
Established in 1999, AXA Philippines is one of the largest insurance companies in the country. It offers financial security to over a million individuals through its group and individual life insurance as well as general insurance products.
AXA Philippines is one of the first to introduce bancassurance operations in the country and is among the pioneers in the investment-linked insurance sector.
AXA Philippines is a joint venture between the AXA Group, headquartered in France, GT Capital Holdings, Inc. (GT Capital), a leading listed conglomerate in the Philippines, and Metropolitan Bank and Trust Company (Metrobank), one of the Philippines’ largest financial institutions. It is duly recognized by the Insurance Commission and has license to operate and engage in life and general insurance business under License No. 2025/14-R.
For more information on AXA Philippines and their products, visit their website at www.axa.com.ph.
Following their 2024 collaboration, the pair deliver another heartfelt tune steeped in emotion, chemistry, and grace
Filipino singer-songwriter Jolianne reunites with chart-topping R&B star Arthur Nery on their collaborative single “Palayo Sa Mundo”—released under Sony Music Entertainment. The smooth yet soulful pop track paints a picture of romantic love that is strong enough to make the world wait.
Marking their second collaboration following “Lullaby,” from Arthur Nery’s 2024 album, II: The Second, “Palayo Sa Mundo” finds the two Bisaya artists seamlessly blending their voices in a tender duet that feels both effortlessly captivating and intimate.
“Working with Arthur came so naturally,” Jolianne shares. “For one, we’re both Bisaya, so that was an effortless connection. Musically, we also speak the same language. We share a lot of the same influences, and we’re both deeply rooted in R&B.”
Written during a songwriting camp with producer Luke April (James Reid, Playertwo), the song evolved from an English concept titled “The World Can Wait” into an emotionally arresting Tagalog piece that pays homage to classic OPM romance.
“Arthur is a real poet,” the rising newcomer recalls. “And he wrote the song so quickly. It felt like a masterclass watching him in his element.”
Arthur Nery reveals that the song wasn’t intentionally written as a love song at first. “Joli wanted a track about self-reflection or identity crisis,” he shares. “The direction of the song changed after I wrote the first two lines. While Luke let us listen to his guitar sample and production, I wrote and arranged the lyrics freely and we just let the song take us to where it is now. It was a fun experience.”
For what it is, “Palayo Sa Mundo” reflects on the bittersweet nature of love that persists even when fate intervenes.
“This song is about that bittersweet feeling of loving somebody you know loves you too,” Jolianne explains. “But sometimes fate has its own plans, and things don’t turn out as we hope. Still, love in its purest form is worth offering, because love isn’t about guarantees. It’s, I love you because I do, not because I expect it back.”
The track’s stripped-down but warm arrangements highlight the duo’s vocal chemistry while retaining the melodic pop appeal of the material.
Jolianne adds, “We paid homage to ‘Lullaby’ by going the acoustic pop route. We wanted something that felt intimate and timeless. When Arthur and I sing together, it’s never a sing-off; it’s a duet.”
Jolianne and Arthur Nery’s “Palayo Sa Mundo” is out now on all digital music platforms via Sony Music Entertainment.
About Sony Music Entertainment
At Sony Music Entertainment, we honor the creative journey. Our creators shape movements, culture, communities, and even history. And we’ve played a pioneering role in music history, from establishing the first-ever music label to inventing the flat disc record. We’ve nurtured some of music’s most iconic artists and produced some of the most influential recordings of all time. Today, we work in more than 100 countries, supporting a diverse and distinctive roster of talented creators at every level and on every stage. Situated at the intersection of music, entertainment, and technology, we bring imagination and expertise to emerging products and platforms, embrace new business models, and employ breakthrough tools—all to support the creative community’s experimentation, risk-taking, and growth. And we form deep, trusted, cause-based partnerships to uplift and empower communities around the world. Sony Music Entertainment is part of the global Sony family.
MANILA, Philippines — October 7, 2025 — Bossjob, the chat-first, AI-powered career platform, continues its strong growth trajectory across Southeast Asia and beyond, powered by steady user expansion, breakthrough product innovations, and new employer partnerships that reinforce its role as a trusted hiring platform for the future of work.
From January to August 2025, Bossjob achieved remarkable global adoption, generating more than 1.7 million monthly chats between job seekers and employers. This surge in engagement highlights the success of its AI-driven, chat-first hiring model, which provides faster, smarter, and more efficient talent matching.
“Our vision has always been to make hiring seamless for both talents and employers. These milestones show that Bossjob is not only growing steadily but also transforming the way recruitment works across markets,” said Kiat How Quak, Co-Founder of Bossjob.
Driving Product Innovation Central to this momentum is BossAI, now fully integrated into the Employer Dashboard. The tool consolidates resumes, applies AI-powered suitability analysis, and introduces new collaboration features, such as team notes—giving employers sharper insights and faster decision-making capabilities.
Bossjob also improved its onboarding process, driving resume completion rates up to 86% through A/B testing. Enhanced job recommendations and upcoming UI and copy refinements are set to create an even more intuitive experience for job seekers and higher conversion rates for employers.
Philippine Growth: A Core Driver The Philippines remains at the heart of Bossjob’s growth. From January to August 2025, the platform’s registered talents increased from 4.16 million to 5.20 million (+25%), while employer accounts grew from 67,000 to 81,000.
This expansion has been strengthened by deeper collaborations with PESO Biñan, PESO San Jose del Monte, PESO Pasay, and partner schools, including Trimex Colleges, University of Rizal System, Philippine Women’s University, and Adamson University. These partnerships are expected to grow even further as part of Bossjob’s continuing commitment to preparing the Filipino workforce for success and generating employment opportunities nationwide.
Trusted by leading employers such as INGCO PH, Good Eats by SSI, Jeeves Manila, and TDCX, Bossjob’s value continues to grow as it further equips businesses across various industries. In recent months, high-profile brands Gongcha Philippines Inc. and Fruitas Group Inc. also joined its growing roster of employer partners, underscoring Bossjob’s reputation as a platform of choice.
Building the Future of Work By bridging innovation with impact, Bossjob is building a future-ready ecosystem where technology, employers, and talents converge. The platform’s continuous growth across markets reflects not just business success but also its role in uplifting lives, empowering job seekers, and enabling companies to thrive with the right talent.
“Find Job. Talk to Boss.” — Bossjob continues to reshape recruitment: fast, direct, and impactful.
To learn more about Bossjob’s latest updates and explore career opportunities, visit Bossjob.ph or download the app here: Bossjob App.
Some days just call for something extra — and after long hours, endless deadlines, or that long-awaited sweldo, you #SUPERDESERVE a meal that delivers the best of everything you crave. With the Jollibee Super Meals, you no longer have to choose between Jollibee favorites because it’s got them all in one special plate.
The lineup includes: Super Meal A: 1-pc. Chickenjoy, Burger Steak, Half Jolly Spaghetti, Rice and Drink Super Meal B: 1-pc. Chickenjoy, Half Jolly Spaghetti, Fries and Drink Super Meal C: Yumburger, Half Jolly Spaghetti, Fries and Drink Each option brings together classic Jollibee dishes in one rewarding meal— making it easy to celebrate and treat yourself to something special without having to choose.
It’s the reward that hits every craving while giving you big servings and big value, making it the well-deserved treat-yourself meal for paydays, celebrations, achievements, or extra-gutom days. “We want all Filipinos to celebrate their wins and achievements in life, whether big or small—with Jollibee to be part of that joyful experience. With Super Meals, you get a rewarding meal, bringing together Jollibee’s best-tasting favorites in one hearty, special plate. It’s a bundle made for everyday indulgence and joyful moments alike,” said Luis Berba, Assistant Vice President of Jollibee Philippines.
So, the next time you’re asking yourself, “Which Jollibee favorite should I treat myself with, in celebration of today’s big win?” — don’t stress. The answer is you #SUPERDESERVE all of them, in the Jollibee Super Meals!
The Jollibee Super Meals is available nationwide in all Jollibee stores for dine-in, takeout, or delivery. Order now through the Jollibee App, JollibeeDelivery.com, #87000, GrabFood, or foodpanda, and give yourself the super treat you #SUPERDESERVE.
From exclusive deals to interactive activations, SM Beauty is the one-stop shop where beauty meets excitement. This month, three powerhouse local brands, namely Ever Bilena, Careline, and Spotlight, take center stage with unique concepts designed to delight beauty enthusiasts nationwide.
A sweet escape at the Ever Bilena Beauty Bakery
Indulge your senses at the Ever Bilena Beauty Bakery, where beauty looks as tempting as a box of treats. Shoppers can enjoy irresistible bundles such as The Sweet Deal – 3 items for only ₱499, Mid-Tier Indulgence – 4 items for just ₱599, or The Ultimate Confectionery – 8 items for only ₱999.
And here’s the cherry on top: every purchase that includes an EB Plus Tinted Lip Oil comes with a complimentary Pond Naravit poster, a must-have collectible for fans. The Beauty Bakery experience will be open until September 30 at SM Manila, SM Calamba, and SM Cebu Department Stores.
Fill it up with Careline’s Beauty Tank With beauty experiences getting more creative than ever, there’s one activation that’s sure to catch the eye of Gen Z shoppers. Careline is turning up the fun with its Beauty Tank: Fill to the Max activation, designed especially for young beauty lovers. For only ₱999, customers can load their pouch with products valued at up to ₱5,000. To add sparkle to the experience, every Canva Pot purchase comes with free bedazzling, while shoppers who collect three Canva Pots will also take home a stylish silver pouch.
This activation runs until September 30 at SM Megamall, SM Bicutan, and SM J Mall Department Stores. Feast at the Spotlight Beauty Buffet Exploring new makeup finds can be just as exciting as discovering a fresh look. This September, Spotlight is offering beauty fans the chance to do both with its Beauty Buffet.
For just ₱999, shoppers can pick out eight of their favorite Spotlight products from a wide array of essentials, perfect for restocking or experimenting with something different. To sweeten the experience, exclusive freebies await, making this buffet as rewarding as it is fun. The Spotlight Beauty Buffet runs until September 30 at SM Marikina and SM Consolacion Department Stores.
A month of beauty you’ll love This September, SM Beauty redefines the beauty shopping experience with activations that are as fun as they are rewarding. From Ever Bilena’s sweet-inspired bundles to Careline’s pouch-filling challenge and Spotlight’s indulgent beauty buffet, every visit promises something new to discover. Whether you’re drawn to bold experiments or simply revisiting trusted makeup favorites, these activations make beauty feel fresh, lighthearted, and worth savoring.
Head to your nearest SM Beauty and join the fun, because beauty is always better at SM!
Filipino cosmetics giant Ever Bilena has made history as the first brand to sponsor a major fan service event, bringing global A-lister Pond Naravit closer than ever to his fans through a one-of-a-kind “PondCall.”
Traditionally, fan calls are exclusive opportunities where fans with the highest album purchases can win through a lottery system to speak with their idol. For this breakthrough event, dubbed “PondCall,” supporters simply needed to shop Pond’s Ever Bilena favorites via the brand’s TikTok Shop to earn raffle entries, making the experience more accessible than ever.
The initiative followed the overwhelming success of the Pond Naravit x Ever Bilena Daily Dose Roadshow at SM Mall of Asia, which drew nearly 3,000 PangPonds and Narawins. With PondCall taking place online, Ever Bilena extended the excitement to an even wider audience.
The PondCall was officially held, and screenshots and videos captured during this fan call blew up on X (formerly Twitter), TikTok and Instagram as fans excitedly awaited updates from winners who were able to have one-on-one conversations with their idol. Throughout the sessions, Pond recognized some of his loyal fans, and expressed how much he is looking forward to return to the Philippines and meet them in person.
For now, Ever Bilena proudly supports him as he prepares to headline the sold-out three-day fancon “Rendezvous” with Phuwin Tangsakyuen in Bangkok this October 31 to November 2.
“More than a campaign, PondCall showed us fans that authentic connections matter most,” said Denice Sy, chief sales & marketing officer of Ever Bilena. “Watching Pond interact so genuinely with his fans reminded us that Ever Bilena is not just makeup. We’re a brand that helps people feel seen, heard, and part of something bigger.”
As the country’s leading homegrown beauty company, Ever Bilena continues to bridge cultures and celebrate beauty through innovations that go beyond products—creating experiences and memories that last.
The Philippines’ leading finance super app, GCash, is expanding its global ‘cash in’ feature through a strategic partnership with Western Union, one of the world’s most trusted international money transfer providers, with a global financial network spanning over 200 countries and territories worldwide.
Filipinos living and working overseas may ‘cash in’ (send money) to GCash e-wallet accounts through the Western Union App, website, or through a network of hundreds of thousands of retail locations worldwide. Additionally, they can also send funds to their families and friends with GCash accounts. Once completed, funds are credited instantly to the GCash wallet and can be used immediately for essentials such as groceries, bills, online shopping, savings, insurance, or even investments. Customers can now send up to PHP 500,000 per transaction.
“At GCash, we remain committed to driving financial empowerment for all Filipinos, wherever they are in the world,” said GCash International general manager Paul Albano. “This collaboration with Western Union enables fast, secure, and reliable remittances, ensuring that the hard-earned money of OFWs reaches their families swiftly and safely.”
Western Union’s global scale now connects with the extensive local cashless ecosystem of GCash—the largest in the country. GCash users in the Philippines benefit from over 339,000 cash-in and cash-out outlets, 5.2 million QR-accepting merchants, and more than 520 partner brands on the GLife platform.
Gregory Laurent, regional vice president, Philippines, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific Islands for Western Union, said, “our partnership with GCash, one the the Philippines’ most respected financial services brands, enables us to stay true to our purpose of serving the aspiring populations of the world with accessible, easy-to-use services, particularly in the digital space. It is yet another mark of the importance we place on the Philippines and consumers in the country, as well as the Filipino diaspora abroad.”
For millions of OFWs, this integration removes long-standing friction in the remittance process and strengthens their ability to support their families from afar. GCash continues to evolve from a money transfer platform into a holistic digital finance hub that serves the needs of Filipinos, wherever they may be.
According to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), personal remittances from OFWs reached USD 38 billion in 2024, an all-time high and accounting for over 8% of the country’s GDP.
“While digital adoption is accelerating, a significant portion of these remittances is still routed through over-the-counter channels. The integration of GCash with Western Union provides a digital-first alternative that empowers OFWs and their families to manage money more efficiently, securely, and on their terms,” said Albano.
GCash highlights role of national ID in enabling inclusive, secure finance at BSP forum
A trusted digital identity system lays the foundation for true financial inclusion, helping ensure that every Filipino, regardless of their background or circumstances, can access essential financial services with confidence.
This was the central message at the recent Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Forum on Digital Identity, where GCash, the country’s leading finance finance super app and largest cashless ecosystem, shared how its integration with the National ID eVerify Authentication Service (NIDAS) is making identity verification easier, more accessible, and more inclusive to help more Filipinos, especially those with limited access to traditional IDs, open an account.
Held at the BSP Assembly Hall, the forum brought together leaders from government, financial institutions, and the tech sector to examine how digital identity can support more secure and inclusive financial systems. Guided by the theme “Building Trust and Synergy in Digital Identity for an Inclusive and Secure Financial System,” the discussions emphasized the need for collaboration, innovation, and user-centric solutions that address real-world access challenges.
Representing GCash was Joanne Avendaño, vice president and head of customer experience management, who shared the company’s experience as the first and only Electronic Money Issuer integrated with NIDAS. This enables GCash users to validate their identity using their National ID in real-time, eliminating the need for multiple traditional IDs, which many Filipinos today still lack. This approach has helped reduce drop-offs during onboarding and has improved the success rate of account creation, especially among underserved groups. Most importantly, it has helped streamline onboarding for a broader range of users.
“Our partnership with the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) has always been more than just ID acceptance. It’s a shared commitment to make sure that no Filipino is left behind in the digital economy,” said Avendaño. “By enabling real-time National ID validation and bringing services on-ground, we’re helping more Filipinos complete their verification journey with ease and confidence,” Avendaño added.
The forum also featured insights from the National Privacy Commission, World Bank, Korea Credit Information Services, and several units within the BSP. Topics ranged from data governance and consumer protection to practical implementation challenges and international benchmarks. Avendaño joined fellow panelists from Asia United Bank, Seabank Philippines, Maya Philippines, and the Bankers Association of the Philippines in discussing the value of coordinated efforts, shared learnings, and responsible use of digital identity systems in strengthening public trust.
Beyond app integration, GCash has also worked with the PSA and local government units (LGUs) to support on-ground National ID registration and account onboarding events, which were held in schools, barangays, and underserved communities across the country. This approach brings both digital identity and financial access closer to Filipinos who need it most. With digital ID adoption gaining momentum, GCash’s role as an early adopter highlights the importance of responsible integration, cross-sector collaboration, and community engagement in building a more accessible and inclusive financial ecosystem. For more information, please visit www.gcash.com.
MANILA, 1 OCTOBER 2025 – Western Union today announced the launch of a new mobile app in the Philippines, giving millions of consumers in the country the power to send funds abroad, enjoying competitive FX rates in the process, and request remittances in a new way that adds convenience and flexibility.
The Philippines is the first global market where Western Union launches an app with both send and request capabilities.
Consumers who download and use the app can send funds abroad seamlessly, and through Western Union’s global financial network gain access to billions of bank accounts, millions of digital wallets and cards, and hundreds of thousands of retail locations for cash payout. To send funds, app users have the option to pay online securely using the national QR code payment method ‘QR Ph’. Signing up to use the app is easy and takes up only a few minutes.
Equally, consumers who use the app can request funds from senders in the U.S., Australia, Singapore the UK and several other global markets with large Filipino diasporas present , simply by filling their receiver info. Senders will then be able to complete the transaction online from the country they reside in.
Receivers have multiple options to access their funds: cash withdrawal at a retail location, deposit to bank account or directly to a digital wallet, depending on the market. Additionally, when funds are sent by Senders from abroad to the Philippines, their Receivers will be able to redirect the funds to their preferred bank account or digital wallet . Consumers can track their transfers by entering the transaction tracking number (MTCN) in the app.
“Today’s launch marks an important milestone in our effort to serve consumers in the Philippines better and connect them to their families and loved ones across the world,” said Gregory Laurent, Vice President for the Philippines, Japan, Australia, New Zealand&Pacific Islands at Western Union. “For many in the country, remittances represent a life with more opportunity and hope. At the same time, an increasing number of Filipinos opt to send funds abroad. Our new app gives the opportunity to do both, with the flexibility and trust that Western Union can provide.”
According to data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, remittances to the Philippines reached an all-time high of $38bn in 2024. According to the World Bank, the Philippines had the fourth-highest remittance levels among low- and middle-income countries last year. The United States was the biggest source of cash remittances in 2024, followed by Singapore.
The app is available on the App Store and Google Play.
