Get ready to say “Aloha!” as SM North EDSA brings the spirit of Hawaii to life with Kokaua Town from Disney’s “Lilo & Stitch”!
Check out the supersized Kokaua Town at The Block Atrium, SM North EDSA.
Check out the supersized Kokaua Town at The Block Atrium, SM North EDSA.
From now until May 7, The Block Atrium at SM North EDSA has been transformed into a supersized tropical paradise, complete with vibrant island décor and a curated collection of adorable Stitch-themed merchandise.
Grab your Stitch merchandise before the highly anticipated premiere of the reimagined “Lilo & Stitch.”
Celebrate everyone’s favorite spacey troublemaker at this themed pop-up, with collectible merch, photo ops and more, before catching the live-action reimagining of Disney’s 2002 animated classic, “Lilo & Stitch,” landing in cinemas in May 2025.
Stitch galore!
Stitch galore!
Do not miss the chance to immerse yourself in the ultimate summer escape without leaving the city. Head over to The Block Atrium, SM North EDSA, and experience the unforgettable charm of Kokaua Town brought to you by Disney Philippines and SM Fandom.
For more information, follow SM North EDSA’s official social media accounts and visit www.smsupermalls.com.
As Filipino consumers spend more time on mobile than ever, brands are facing an urgent challenge: standing out in a market overflowing with apps. From finance to retail to food delivery, downloads are surging — but sustainable growth now hinges on keeping users engaged, loyal, and coming back.
“We’re entering a phase where install growth is just the beginning,” said April Tayson, Adjust regional vice president for INSEAU. “Being the most downloaded app is not enough – it’s about being the most retained, most used, and most valued. At Adjust, we help brands measure and understand user behavior, optimize retention strategies, and make data-driven decisions that fuel long-term engagement and growth.”
According to Apps Performance Insights from Sensor Tower, finance apps in the Philippines reached nearly 200 million downloads in 2024, with credit and lending apps growing over 30% year-on-year. Retail apps like Temu have also seen strong growth, driven by gamified and discovery-based shopping. Additionally, the Philippines now leads Southeast Asia in food delivery app installs, capturing the largest share (23%) of Food & Drink app downloads and ranking second in average daily time spent on these apps.
Yet, despite rising installs, retention remains a hurdle for brands.
(FROM L-R): Manish Wali, Head Of Inside Sales APAC; Roel Santos, Coins.ph Digital Marketing Manager; Pavan Powar, SarisukiDirector – Strategy, Investor Relations and Marketplace; Valid Al-Zoabi, Salmon Head of POS Product; Meg Amat, UNO Bank Head of Marketing; Bruce Nguyen, Google Apps Growth and Acquisition Lead SEA.
Adjust’s Guide to Maximizing Retention and Engagement in the Philippine App Landscape
Supporting these trends, Adjust shared insights from its latest Mobile App Trends Report, highlighting that while global install growth is robust, real performance lies in deeper engagement and smarter measurement. Highlights include:
Finance app installs rose 27% YoY, with APAC accounting for a significant share at 41% YoY growth. To maximize engagement, brands personalize user experiences and apply regional targeting – supported by tools like deep linking and web-to-app tracking – to ensure users land exactly where expected within the app.
Shopping app installs grew 28% YoY but saw shorter session lengths, underscoring the trend toward faster, more efficient user experiences. Brands can streamline the shopping journey with AI-driven recommendations, reducing friction and improving conversion rates. Incrementality testing and advanced attribution modeling can also reveal which strategies drive true engagement and measure cross-channel impact.
Retention rates for both finance and shopping remain below 10% by day 30, indicating a strong need to increase post-install engagement. Brands can improve retention with tactics like gamified onboarding, personalized push notifications, and loyalty rewards. Audience segmentation and re-engagement tools support more precise retargeting campaigns, while omnichannel attribution and fraud prevention ensure accurate performance tracking and protect budgets from invalid traffic.
“In the Philippines’ fast-growing app market, brands must now shift their focus from growth alone to sustained performance,” Tayson added. “By leveraging data-driven insights, marketers can optimize the user experience, turning installs into loyal, long-term customers. This is how brands in the Philippines, and the rest of Southeast Asia, can win the long game.”
To explore more findings, industry best practices and learn more about Adjust, visit https://www.adjust.com
Fujifilm Philippines officially launched the instax WIDE Evo™, a hybrid, wide-angle instant camera, through a vibrant two-day exhibit titled “10:10 – Wider Stories to Tell” at Glorietta Activity Center, Makati, last April 26 to 27, 2025.
Following the global success of the instax mini Evo™, the instax WIDE Evo is a hybrid instant camera equipped with a wide-angle lens, offering users the ability to capture memories on a broader canvas and create standout masterpieces.
Wider Stories on Display
The special exhibit showcased the creative works of renowned Filipino photographers—Jilson Tiu, Geloy Concepcion, Aya Cabauatan, and Issa Barte—who used the instax WIDE Evo™ as a medium for storytelling. The two-day event also featured interactive installations, workshops, photo areas, and exclusive hands-on experiences with the new camera model.
Through a combination of 10 lens effects, 10 film styles, and the groundbreaking “Degree Control” function—which allows users to finely adjust light and color gradation across 100 levels—the WIDE Evo empowers photographers to create more than 100,000 unique expressions. Designed with analog-style operability, including dials for effects selection and a manual “Print Crank” for printing, the WIDE Evo blends classic craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology.
A dedicated mobile app further enhances the experience, letting users replicate favorite shooting styles from a global “Discover Feed” and directly print smartphone images via Bluetooth connectivity.
Artistic Expressions with the WIDE Evo™
Each participating photographer unveiled a personal exhibit at “10:10 – Wider Stories to Tell,” reflecting the expanded creative possibilities offered by the instax WIDE Evo™:
Jilson Tiu’s “Finding Home” explored his search for belonging across various landscapes, immortalizing moments from Manila, Taipei, and beyond.
Aya Cabauatan’s “Pag-uruli: Where the Horizons Meet” traced a personal journey of homecoming, weaving together landscapes and quiet portraits from Sorsogon and Manila.
Geloy Concepcion’s “Moments to Memories” captured fleeting yet profound moments with his family amid a life constantly in motion.
Issa Barte’s “Heritage of Humanity” presented reflections on memory, loss, and revitalization, inspired by her travels to Vietnam.
The exhibit drew significant crowds, offering visitors an inspiring glimpse into how the instax WIDE Evo™ can be a powerful tool for storytelling and personal expression.
Instax WIDE Evo™ Now Available
The instax WIDE Evo™ is now available at Fujifilm authorized dealers across the Philippines, priced at PHP22,599 SRP. Along with the launch, Fujifilm also introduced the newest instax WIDE film Brushed Metallics, available for PHP660 SRP per 10-sheet pack.
Synology has launched DiskStation DS925+ for professionals and businesses seeking high performance and reliable data management.
As the frequency of data breaches and IT disruptions continues to rise, Filipino businesses express increasing concern regarding the threat of cyber incidents. Earlier this year, business resilience was identified as the top risk in the Asia-Pacific region, underscoring the escalating pressure for businesses to reinforce their IT infrastructure and ensure operational continuity. Addressing these urgent needs, Synology’s DiskStation DS925+ is designed to help businesses overcome today’s IT challenges.
“The 4-bay Plus Series models inherited over one million installations and have always been among our most widely-adopted products,” said Jeffrey Huang, product manager of Synology. “Not only are they favored by professionals but also deployed by enterprises in remote and branch environments as edge servers. For this reason, we’ve designed the Diskstation DS925+ to deliver business-grade performance and reliability.”
Efficient and Scalable Storage in a Compact Form
The Diskstation DS925+ is engineered to tackle demanding workloads. Equipped with dual 2.5GbE ports and two M.2 slots for creating all-flash storage pool or cache, the DS925+ delivers substantial performance gains with preconfigured settings compared to its predecessor— including 149% faster SMB downloads, 150% faster uploads, 131% faster reads, and 150% faster writes.
In addition to its performance, the new 4-bay model also provides high capacity and scalability. When paired with the new DX525 expansion unit, it supports up to 9 drive bays and offers up to 180TB of raw capacity, allowing users to expand as needed, making it ideal for growing data demands.
The Diskstation DS925+ is engineered as a full-featured system to deliver consistent performance and reliability with Synology hard drives. It follows a carefully curated drive compatibility framework, backed by over 7,000 hours of rigorous testing. To ensure optimal integration and long-term dependability, DSM on the DS925+ requires compatible hard drives for installation.
Versatile Features for Business Workloads
Powered by Synology’s DiskStation Manager (DSM), the DS925+ offers versatile features to meet diverse business data management needs.
Synology Drive transforms the system into a private cloud, enabling cross-platform access and site-to-site syncing for distributed teams.
Active Backup Suite provides comprehensive protection for Windows, Linux, and MacOS devices, virtual machines, and cloud accounts, with flexible off-site backup options.
Surveillance Station delivers scalable video management and offers real-time intelligent analytics to safeguard physical assets.
Availability
The Diskstation DS925+ and DX525 expansion unit are available through Synology’s network of partners and resellers worldwide. For more information, please see the DS925+ and DX525 product pages. https://www.synology .com/en-ph/products/DS925+
Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) is continuing its strides to improve customers’ aftersales experience. The brand has announced that Service Advisors of its 38 dealerships nationwide have now shifted towards a digital approach through the ‘Electronic Checksheet’ (E-Checksheet) Mobile Service Tablet.
HCPI is aware that certain processes done at the dealerships tend to be tedious, so it has applied a more people-oriented method to ease customers’ stress. A number of manual forms and checklists that will now be digitalized through the E-Checksheet are vehicle appearance, tire & battery condition, repair order creation and processing, service repair, and total quality inspection.
Service advisors are now able to utilize the tablets for vehicle walk-arounds for inspection, take photos & videos, and quickly collect digital signatures to be shared with the customer via email. The service repair checklist will also allow technicians to be more transparent by recording all repairs requested and required into the system.
Once repair has been completed, a separate inspector then conducts a quality inspection. Any concerns or recommended repairs are thoroughly documented and supported with photos or videos to assist the customer in making an informed decision in order to proceed with additional work before the vehicle is returned. This results in a more efficient and convenient transaction.
Lastly, the E-Checksheet also integrates the body repair and paint estimation tool announced earlier this year, which standardizes the costing of refurbishment and is aligned with Honda Japan standards.
As an added bonus, this digitalization will also reduce paper consumption for HCPI and its dealers, aligning with the brand’s initiatives to be more environmentally friendly, not just through its products but also through its practices.
BYD Cars Philippines and ACMobility are teaming up to accelerate Cebu’s transition to electric mobility with the arrival of the BYD Tech Tour at SM Seaside City Cebu and the activation of new ACMobility electric vehicle charging stations (EVCS) at 16 locations around the island province. These milestones mark a significant expansion in Cebu and the broader Visayas region. With BYD leading the charge through its growing presence and innovative EV models, ACMobility is ensuring that the infrastructure is in place to support a seamless shift to electric vehicles across the region. This move reflects their joint mission toward a future where electric mobility is accessible, practical, and sustainable for all Filipinos.
“This expansion brings electrification within reach of more Filipino communities,” said Carla Buencamino, head of mobility infrastructure at ACMobility. “As Cebu takes the lead in the Visayas region, we are building a reliable and inclusive EV charging network that caters to the increasing demand for sustainable mobility.”
Cebu at the Forefront: BYD’s Expanding Electric Ecosystem
To further fuel public interest in sustainable mobility, BYD brought its immersive Tech Tour to SM Seaside City Cebu from April 25 to 27, 2025. Aside from interacting with BYD’s various technologies, guests test drove the latest BYD EVs, and enjoyed up to PHP10,000 in discounts and savings.
In 2024, BYD launched its first dealership in the Visayas region, specifically in Cebu, through Global Star Motors with the opening of BYD Cebu North. The full-service BYD dealership was followed by additional locations at Ayala Center Cebu and IL Corso. The company’s commitment to accessible electric mobility continues with plans for three more dealerships: Cebu Central, Cebu Toledo, and Cebu South. These new outlets are part of BYD’s broader strategy to provide world-class electric vehicle experiences for Cebuanos and solidify the brand’s presence in the region.
“Our expansion in Cebu reflects our commitment to making sustainable mobility real for everyday Filipinos,” said Bob Palanca, managing director of BYD Cars Philippines. “And we’re able to do that because of our work with ACMobility to ensure the infrastructure is in place to support every EV we put on the road.”
ACMobility: Paving the Way for EV Infrastructure Across the Visayas
As BYD expands its presence in Cebu, ACMobility is driving the region’s EV transformation with a robust and growing charging network. Through its Charge Forward initiative and the national Philippine EV Spine program, ACMobility aims to power over 35 strategic locations across the Visayas by the end of 2025. With charge points already live at Ayala Center Cebu, Il Corso, and up to Bantayan and Camotes Islands, the network is designed to give EV drivers dependable access, whether they’re navigating urban centers or exploring island destinations.
“ACMobility’s Philippine EV Spine initiative is pivotal in shaping the future of electric mobility across the country,” added Buencamino. “We’re laying the foundation for a strong nationwide network of EV charging stations, ensuring that every Filipino has easy access to the infrastructure needed to embrace electric vehicles with confidence and convenience.”
Through its growing partnerships starting with Ayala Malls, GlobalStar, Continuum Mobility Solutions, Prince Stores, City Time Square, and Club Filipino Cebu, ACMobility continues to ensure reliable access to EV charging in both bustling urban centers and historically underserved areas. This is just the beginning with more partners and locations on the horizon.
To deliver dependable, around-the-clock charging, ACMobility has introduced a paid model through the Evro app, helping maintain 24/7 availability, consistent upkeep, and reliable service. With rates in Visayas starting at PHP33.5 for AC and PHP38 for DC, pricing remains aligned with regional energy costs while supporting a network built for long-term ease of access and peace of mind.
For even greater value, ACMobility offers flexible subscription plans ranging from PHP1,200 to PHP4,000. As an alternative, Charge500 is available as a one-time prepaid offer that gives users access to the same discount without the full subscription. Each plan includes 30-day charging credits and up to 20% in savings, making EV ownership easier, smarter, and more cost-effective — wherever the road takes you.
One Vision, Two Forces: A National Blueprint for Electrification
The strategic partnership between BYD and ACMobility represents a coordinated effort to accelerate EV adoption across the Philippines. As BYD innovates with its vehicles, ACMobility ensures the infrastructure is always ahead, facilitating a seamless nationwide shift to electric mobility.
For more information on BYD’s full range of electrified vehicles, visit bydcarsphilippines.com or follow BYD Cars Philippines on Facebook and Instagram. Customers can also visit BYD Cebu North at 21 A. S. Fortuna St, Mandaue City, or contact 0917 314 5479 for details. To learn more on ACMobility’s EV Charging Hub setup or to explore partnership opportunities, visit acmobility.ph or email [email protected].
Microsoft has released the 2025 Work Trend Index Report, an annual research initiative on the state of work. It reveals that we’re entering a new era—one defined by “intelligence on tap” and the rise of AI-powered organizations, spotlighting a critical turning point for organizations in the Philippines as they embrace the transformative power of artificial intelligence. This year’s report introduces the rise of the “Frontier Firm”—businesses that are not simply adopting AI but reimagining their core strategies, operations, and workforce structures to fully harness its potential.
“Filipino organizations are standing at the edge of a major transformation. The emergence of the Frontier Firm marks a new chapter in how we think about work—where AI becomes a co-pilot, not just a tool. It’s no longer about keeping up, it’s about building the future of work, today,” according to Peter Maquera, CEO of Microsoft Philippines.
The Urgency for Transformation is Clear
In the Philippines, 86% of business leaders say 2025 is a pivotal year to rethink their strategies and operations, closely aligned with global sentiment at 82%. Yet, as the pressure to boost productivity mounts, a growing disconnect has emerged between expectations and reality. Nearly half of Filipino leaders (46%) say productivity must increase, but 53% of employees report they lack the time and energy to perform at their best—indicating that while the demand for output is rising, the current way of working is unsustainable. AI has emerged as the solution to bridge this gap.
Filipino Leaders are Embracing AI at Scale
A significant 89% say they are confident their organizations will be using AI agents as digital team members within the next 12 to 18 months. This optimism is fueling new workforce models, with 42% citing the expansion of team capacity through digital labor as a top business priority—second only to upskilling at 44%. Notably, a third of local leaders (33%) are considering reducing headcount, signaling that AI is no longer just about enhancing how work gets done, but also reshaping who does it. To support this shift, 80% of leaders in the country are planning to hire for AI-focused roles in the next year.
“With intelligence now scalable and on demand, Filipino leaders have a unique opportunity to close the productivity gap and reimagine workforce capacity. AI is not replacing human potential—it’s unlocking it in entirely new ways,” Maquera said.
Human-Agent Teams: The New Org Chart
As AI becomes embedded in the workplace, Filipino organizations are evolving into human-agent teams. Already, 44% of leaders say they are using AI agents to fully automate business processes across entire teams or functions. Workers are increasingly comfortable relying on AI, with 44% saying they prefer it over a colleague due to its 24/7 availability. This is followed by AI’s speed and quality of work (32%), and its capacity to generate unlimited creative ideas (29%). When it comes to how AI is used, 46% of employees treat it like a thought partner, while 53% still rely on it as a command-based tool—highlighting an ongoing shift in user behavior and workplace dynamics.
According to Maquera, AI is reshaping what teams look like, from the frontline to the boardroom. The rise of human-agent collaboration means we must rethink traditional roles and invest in the right tools, training, and trust to empower every worker to thrive in this new environment.
Welcome to the Era of the Agent Boss
This shift is giving rise to a new breed of leader: the agent boss. Over the next five years, leaders in the Philippines expect their teams to play a central role in redesigning business processes using AI (46%), building multiagent systems to automate complex tasks (54%), training agents (48%), and managing them (41%). However, a knowledge gap remains—while 60% of leaders say they are familiar or extremely familiar with AI agents, only 42% of employees report the same. Bridging this divide will be essential. In fact, 55% of managers expect AI training and upskilling to become a key responsibility for their teams, reinforcing the need for continuous learning and support as AI adoption accelerates.
“Filipinos have always been known for their adaptability and ingenuity. As the world of work evolves, equipping our workforce with AI fluency and digital skills is not just a competitive advantage—it’s essential to driving inclusive growth and innovation across the country,” Maquera said.
To help organizations unlock the full potential of this AI-driven future, Microsoft is expanding its suite of Copilot tools through Copilot Wave 2. These enhancements include new reasoning agents, improved search capabilities, and dynamic creativity features, all designed to make AI more intuitive and impactful for every role—from frontliners to executives.
With Intelligence now truly on tap, organizations in the Philippines are poised to lead a new era of work—one where AI is not just a tool, but a collaborative force that drives strategy, scales operations, and elevates human potential. As more companies evolve into Frontier Firms, those that move early and invest in AI readiness will be the ones to redefine what high performance looks like in the modern workplace.
Leading online job portal Jobstreet by SEEK, in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd), has officially launched its Career Readiness Caravan, a nationwide initiative designed to improve employability and career awareness among Senior High School (SHS) and Alternative Learning System (ALS) learners, in an effort to prepare young Filipinos with the competencies needed for future success.
The initiative is designed to empower students and help them develop necessary skills, provide insights about the job market, and provide useful career advice and practical tips for navigating their professional careers confidently.
It started with pocket runs in major cities within Metro Manila, such as Valenzuela, Navotas, Taguig, Pateros, and Caloocan. The pilot run successfully gathered 200 participants, who engaged in workshops, talks, and career-building activities to enhance their confidence and job readiness.
Additionally, Jobstreet by SEEK participated in the National Career Expo 2025 held in Lubao, Pampanga—a nationwide effort to promote career readiness. The event, organized by the Bureau of Learner Support Services-Youth Formation Division (BLSS-YFD) in collaboration with DepEd Region III, welcomed over 450 student participants. It offered interactive career readiness, industry information access, and motivational sessions specific to students, providing them with actual tools and skills to succeed in finding a job in a competitive market.
Jobstreet by SEEK is committed to this cause due to the challenges faced by senior high school graduates in entering the workforce. According to a survey conducted by the Philippine Business for Education (PBEd), only 1 in 5 Filipino companies are open to hiring senior high school graduates. Through the Career Readiness Caravan, Jobstreet aims to empower students with the information and tools they require to bridge these gaps and successfully transition from school to work.
Aside from the Caravan, Jobstreet by SEEK and DepEd will have other initiatives in the future, including on-ground career fairs to facilitate in-person interactions among job seekers and employers for instant placement into jobs, and career hub, an online resource that provides continuous assistance to ensure that learners make a seamless transition into employment. Likewise, the career platform will provide free job posts for vacant teaching positions in public schools to further reach qualified candidates. “Jobstreet by SEEK is not just an employment platform; we are a career partner to all Filipino students, equipping them with the right knowledge and confidence to achieve the job that they want. That’s why we continue to partner with government agencies like DepEd to achieve the goal of making young Filipino learners empowered and help them transition seamlessly from education to employment,” said Dannah Majarocon, Jobstreet by SEEK Philippines managing director.
To learn more about the initiative, follow @JobstreetPH on Facebook, @jobstreetp on Instagram, and @jobstreet.philippines on TikTok.
Filipino online sellers just got a major boost as LBC Express teams up with Pancake PH to make managing online businesses easier and more efficient. This partnership brings together LBC’s trusted logistics services with Pancake’s user-friendly selling platform to better support Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across the country.
The collaboration was officially launched during “Level Up: Empowering the Future of eCommerce for Online Sellers,” held on April 24, 2025, at One Esplanade in Pasay City. The event drew over 250 online sellers and influencers who came together to learn, network, and explore growth opportunities. Key sessions covered digital marketing trends, AI in eCommerce, and strategies for reaching international markets, featuring speakers from both the Philippines and Vietnam.
“We’ve always believed in the incredible potential of Filipino MSMEs. Through our partnership with Pancake, we’re making logistics simpler and providing sellers with the peace of mind that every delivery is in safe hands,” said Jerome Santos, senior vice president of LBC Business Solutions.
“Our mission is to simplify selling through technology. With LBC’s powerful delivery network behind us, sellers can now focus more on growing their businesses rather than worrying about logistics,” added Pham Dong, business development manager at Pancake PH.
As online selling becomes increasingly complex with the rise of multi-platform selling and growing customer demands, this partnership offers a seamless solution from order management to shipping, all in one place.
More than a business collaboration, both Pancake and LBC see this partnership as a way to uplift Filipino MSMEs, which make up 99.6% of businesses in the Philippines. By combining smart technology and reliable delivery, they aim to empower even the smallest home-based sellers to grow and thrive.
“This is only the beginning,” Santos said. “Our goal is to help entrepreneurs evolve from one-person shops into thriving enterprises. When they win, we all win.”
Pancake PH echoed this vision, highlighting that every new feature and partnership is designed to give sellers an edge in today’s competitive digital market.
With Pancake’s intuitive system and LBC’s nationwide reach, Filipino online sellers can better focus on building their network and growing their brand. This partnership marks a major step forward in helping sellers thrive in the digital economy.
Ready to level up your business? Sign up now with Pancake PH and LBC through THIS link. Boost your business with LBC Express’ Business Solutions today.
New users who sign up on or before May 15, 2025 will receive free shipping on their first batch of bookings.
To know more, visit LBC Express’ official website or follow their social media pages (Instagram | Facebook) for the latest updates.
Suit up, rev your engines, and get ready to shift into high gear as we launch toward another journey with the UP Statistical Society (UP StatSoc), because this year, they’re taking you to the future with LIMITLESS 2025: National Youth Summit on Statistics.
The nation’s biggest student-led statistical summit, returns on May 10, 2025, bringing the rapidly expanding landscape of statistics to the University of the Philippines – Diliman. Organized by the passionate students of UP StatSoc, LIMITLESS 2025 proves to be different from your typical academic summit. At the heart of this event are trailblazers determined to empower their fellow young minds to brave the path towards the future of data.
Driven by the spirit of learning and innovation, LIMITLESS 2025 offers an immersive experience revealing the power of data to examine, build, and connect the community. This event sets the stage for keynote talks by esteemed speakers and breakout sessions on statistics and nation-building, banking and finance, actuarial science, data science and analytics, statistics in business, and sports analytics. This event is sure to compel individuals to explore what lies ahead by diving into a special statistics workshop led by experts in the field, all while challenging and inspiring them to think past the threshold of knowledge. Beyond the facts and figures of the talks and workshops, attendees may also enrich their LIMITLESS 2025 experience by participating in the games and competitions prepared or by visiting the booths installed at the event.
Whether you are a curious student or an entry-level professional, LIMITLESS welcomes everyone — from the learners of today to the changemakers of tomorrow. Join the charge on May 10, 2025, from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM at the UP School of Statistics New Building, Diliman, Quezon City.
For any inquiries, feel free to reach out to contact us via email at [email protected]. Keep up-to-date by following our social media page on Facebook (facebook.com/limitlessnationalyouthsummitonstatistics/).
LIMITLESS is proud to be co-presented by the UP School of Statistics and endorsed by the Philippine Statistics Authority, the Analytics & Artificial Intelligence Association of the Philippines, and the Philippine Statistical Research and Training Institute.
The Institute of Electronics and Communications Engineers of the Philippines, UP Student Chapter (UP IECEP) proudly presents Get Licensed—an event committed to providing future electronics engineers with the tools to reach their full potential.
The field of Electronics Engineering is constantly evolving, and electronics engineers must possess a strong foundation in both theoretical concepts and practical applications to stay ahead. This demand makes the Electronics Engineering (ECE) board exam one of the most challenging licensure examinations. Year by year, aspiring engineers undergo rigorous preparation to hone their problem-solving skills and deepen their understanding of core engineering principles.
Get Licensed returns on May 3, 2025, at the UP School of Statistics, featuring two main events: (a) a comprehensive mock board exam in the morning; and (b) insightful talks from distinguished industry professionals and board topnotchers in the afternoon.
The mock board exam will provide participants with the avenue to identify their strengths, determine areas for improvement, and familiarize themselves with the questions they might encounter. This activity is designed to help participants build confidence, gain meaningful understanding, and refine their test-taking skills.
Esteemed professionals from the Electronics Engineering industry and the field of research and development will share their valuable expertise and insights through a series of seminar talks. These talks will expose ECE students to the diverse range of career opportunities that await them. Additionally, last year’s topnotchers will lead a podcast-style discussion to offer participants a firsthand look into the board exam experience, share essential tips, and answer participants’ burning questions.
Exciting prizes await you at Get Licensed 2025! The top scorers for the mock board exam will win exclusive prizes, and a raffle will be held for even more chances to win.
So what are you waiting for? Gear up for the future this May 3, 2025, at UP School of Statistics. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn and take your skills to the next level! Register now for only PHP300 at https://tinyurl.com/GL25-Registration.
Ready to capture life’s best moments, anytime and anywhere? The all-new vivo V50 Lite is now available in vivo physical and online stores, starting at just PHP13,999!
With its powerful 6500mAh BlueVolt battery and ultra-fast 90W FlashCharge, the vivo V50 Lite keeps up with your every adventure from sunrise hikes to all-night parties. But here’s where it really shines: capturing every memory in crystal-clear beauty.
Equipped with a 50MP main camera powered by the Sony IMX882 sensor, the vivo V50 Lite brings every photo to life. Say goodbye to washed-out backlit shots and grainy low-light or night photos. Each click delivers vibrant colors, sharp details, and a natural glow, no matter the lighting.
Heading out at night? Let Aura Light work its magic. Softer and more natural than a regular flash, it lights up your portraits with warm, lifelike tones and a beautiful three-dimensional feel – perfect for parties, dinners, and golden hour selfies.
And under the bright sun, daytime portraits look even more stunning. Check out the sample shots: rich colors, gorgeous clarity, and faces full of life.
Want to get creative? Try the 2x Portrait Mode. Even from a distance, your subject stays sharp, vivid, and full of personality – no heavy editing needed.
Ready to experience the perfect blend of power and photography? Head to the nearest vivo concept store, kiosk, or authorized retailer today to grab your vivo V50 Lite! You can also conveniently shop online via the vivo e-store and Shopee.
There’s a reason mobile app designers are some of the most sought-after tech professionals in today’s market. As of December 2024, Statista recorded approximately 41,000 mobile app releases through the Google Play Store. Most services and brands with a website likely have a mobile app that accompanies it. The world is going mobile, and there is a lot of evidence supporting this new revolution. One can do almost anything from a mobile or tablet device, including remote work, digital payments, banking, and forex trading. However, despite this advancement, desktop applications continue to lead in certain areas, especially regarding financial market investments. If you’re a forex trader wondering which is your best bet, this article has all the answers you need.
Mobile tech in forex trading
It is common knowledge that one of the significant perks of forex trading and other financial market investments has always been flexibility. With mobile trading and applications, a lot of service providers in the industry have been able to drive this narrative further. Before the developments in these industries, investments were much more complicated and restricted to institutional investors. Today, anyone with a mobile app and decent capital can pick up their phone or tablet and start trading. Trading on the go, flexibility. 24/7 access and portability are some of the significant perks of mobile trading. Phones serve that purpose in this regard, which explains why every financial investment platform and software has applications for users. For example, MetaTrader 4 Singapore investors have the MT4 app, which is easily accessible for trading forex, stocks, and other assets.
Is mobile tech good enough for investors?
The simple answer to this is no. There are some limits to the functionality that mobile tech offers traders. Financial market investments are complex, and with this complexity comes the need for technical analysis, which involves dealing with large datasets, interpreting charts, and more. Mobile trading is not sophisticated enough to offer these services, so investors look to desktops and larger screens to manage their portfolios. Let’s further discuss the significant challenges and limitations of tablet trading.
Processing power
Desktops and laptops generally have larger processing power than mobile devices, designed for more demanding tasks. Financial asset management includes fundamental and technical analysis and charting tools, among other complex tasks. A good processor speed used in a smartphone will produce about 2.0GHz to 2.5GHz, while some laptops can offer as much as 3.8GHz with a modern processor. This processing speed is very functional when managing some technical aspects of asset trading and automatically works better with desktop devices. If you prioritize speed and ability to handle intensive tasks and charting software, a mobile device might not do the trick.
Screen size and multitasking limits
Dual and triple monitor setups are standard devices you’d find with dedicated investors. As much as it looks like it’s all about aesthetics, there is much more to it than that. These devices are versatile tools for seamless multitasking and better productivity. For instance, for forex trading, you could have live price charts running on one hand while the other screen shows a news feed or your trade execution panel. There is also a different level of clarity that comes with using larger screens.
Managing distractions
With tablets, getting carried away and falling for distractions is extremely easy. This device mostly contains other personal applications like TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter. A notification from these social media platforms could derail your concentration for hours. Staying away from mobile could be a great way to pay close attention to charts, price movements, and other things that matter to your portfolio. Financial investments are also quite volatile. 24/7 attention to economic events and other news could positively influence your investments and save you from losses.
Tablets or desktops? What’s your best bet?
To a large extent, trading the markets with desktops and larger screens makes things a whole lot easier. However, this does not displace the place of tablets. There are excellent recommendations like iPad Pro, Samsung Tab S9, and others, but the best approach is to have these devices on the side and only use them on the go. This includes during travels when you’re on the move and typically anytime you’re not close to your home setup. It can serve its purpose, but not for full-time traders and people who are highly invested in trading multiple securities.
Striking a balance
The key to succeeding with both is knowing when and where these systems stand and learning to strike a balance. With a good tablet device and a great home setup, you’re likely to have a more seamless experience navigating several assets. For smart traders, the approach isn’t choosing one over the other. It’s learning to leverage both.
The Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) proudly honored its outstanding retail loans partners at the 6th Padayon Awards, an annual gathering that celebrates the exceptional contributions of BPI’s partner dealers, manufacturers, developers, and brokers. Organized by the Retail Loans Group, the event highlighted the collaborative spirit that drives BPI’s mission to build a better Philippines.
“Padayon,” a Visayan term meaning “to move forward,” embodies the spirit of resilience, optimism, and determination that defines BPI’s approach to progress. This year’s awards recognized the vital role of these partners in helping Filipinos achieve their dreams through strong partnerships and innovative financial solutions.
This year, the awards expanded to include partners from the motorcycle industry and highlighted the bank’s sustainability-focused products: MyBahay, the first 30-year term affordable housing program offered by a commercial bank; MyKotse, which extends auto loan terms up to 6-7 years; and Green Solutions, which provides financing for electric and hybrid vehicles.
“We’ve always been moving, transforming and responding to the changing needs of our customers and shifting market dynamics. This is the Padayon spirit, a vibrant expression of our strong conviction to face the future with hope and optimism because of our confidence, that, We Go Together, “ said Maria Cristina “Ginbee” Go, BPI’s Head of Consumer Banking.
Padayon Awards: Celebrating resilience, partnership, and progress
This year’s theme, “We Go Together,” highlights the power of unity in driving shared success and delivering life-changing opportunities to more Filipinos.
The Padayon Awards serves as a platform to inspire our partners to continuously refer loan applications to BPI, strengthening long-term loyalty and collaboration. The awards also reinforce BPI’s position as a trusted and holistic financial partner, one that values deep personal relationships beyond business transactions. This year BPI awarded the following:
Top National Developer-Production (Developers): DMCI Project Developers, Inc.
Top Dealer Group Nationwide (Manufacturers and Dealers): Gateway Group
Top Dealer Branch Nationwide (Manufacturers and Dealers): Toyota Bacoor Cavite, Inc.
Top Dealer Branch Nationwide (Motorcycle): Premiumbikes – Sapang Palay
Top Loan Referrer Nationwide 2024 (Brokers): Jojo Taming
Top ROPA Nationwide (Motorcycle): Adrian S. Gueverra
Together, BPI and its partners have helped many Filipinos achieve their dreams of owning a home, purchasing a car, or securing a motorcycle.
Record-Breaking Growth in Key Product Categories
BPI achieved an extraordinary milestone in 2024, reporting a record-breaking 37% growth in retail loan releases, bringing its total portfolio to over PHP 300 billion. This outstanding performance highlights BPI’s continued commitment to providing accessible, affordable, and customer-centric financing solutions to Filipinos nationwide.
BPI’s impressive performance in 2024 is reflected across its core loan offerings. Auto Loans saw a 25% increase in loan releases, with the portfolio growing 27%. Motorcycle Loans grew by 22% in releases, and the portfolio itself rose by 19%, significantly outperforming the broader industry, which saw a decline of 3.1%. Housing Loans experienced the most substantial growth, with releases up by 45%, nearly doubling the industry’s growth rate of 8.1%.
“The robust performance across all our product lines highlights the continued trust our customers place in BPI as a financial partner. We are proud to offer them not just loans, but solutions that empower them to achieve long-term financial security and success. This relentless focus on customer satisfaction has been a driving force behind our continued growth in an increasingly competitive market,” said Dexter Lloyd Cuajotor, Head of BPI Retail Loans Group.
“Trust, ease, and accessibility are the core pillars on which we’ve built our success,” Cuajotor shared. BPI is continuously striving to make the loan application process as straightforward as possible, and make it more accessible and convenient for our customers,” he added.
BPI’s extensive network of over 800 branches, a user-friendly digital platform, and collaborations with dealers, distributors, brokers, developers, and online marketplaces like Lazada have also made it easier for customers to apply for loans anytime, anywhere.
BPI’s long-term vision extends far beyond financial products. The BPI Retail Loans Group is also committed to offering comprehensive life and non-life insurance bundles, empowering customers to protect their assets and secure their families’ future. For the digital-savvy Filipino market, BPI’s Loans Marketplace is streamlining the loan-buying process, further enhancing accessibility and convenience.
“We have embarked on a customer-first Phygital transformation that integrates the expanse of our physical branch network with the power of our digital and virtual capabilities. This strategy is anchored on empowering our customers’ dreams and enabling their jobs-to-be-done by re-designing the end-to-end customer journey. Our partnerships with real estate developers and brokers and vehicle manufacturers and dealers are integral to making this happen.” said Maria Cristina “ Ginbee” Go, BPI’s Head of Consumer Banking.
For more information on the products and services offered by BPI Retail Loans Group, visit your nearest BPI branch, the loansmarketplace.com.ph, BPI’s Lazmall Flagship Store, or any of the bank’s agency partners.
Hyundai Motor Philippines Inc. (HMPH) is giving more opportunities for customers to experience the latest Hyundai line-up, on top of free service, through the Sales in Service Test Drive Promo, happening until June 30, 2025.
Hyundai Accent, Elantra, Kona, Eon, and Reina owners who bring in their vehicle for service at any authorized Hyundai dealership and test drive the Hyundai Stargazer, Creta, or other models in the brand’s latest lineup will get a free Vehicle Health Check (VHC), Global Diagnostic System (GDS) Scan, Car Wash, and Vehicle Disinfection.
Test drive customers under this program are also eligible for a free oil filter on their next change oil or PMS service, which can be availed on the day itself or through a pre-booked appointment. Furthermore, customers who make a reservation or purchase a new Hyundai vehicle will also receive free service or select accessories worth up to PHP5,000.
