Thursday, November 5, 2026
From left: Frederick Paul P. Pajarillo, Head of Treasury (RFC); Jouela L. Traballo, Chief Financial Officer (RFC); Donald Francis Chiong, President & CEO (RFC); Lisa Castro-Sabado, Palawan Group Chief Business Development Officer (PGC); Emiliano S. Librea III, President & CEO (PalawanPay); and Missy C. Baldemor, Head of Palawan for Business
Access to convenient financial services can make a difference for Filipinos managing everyday expenses, meeting financial obligations, or securing funds for their needs. For underserved communities, more accessible ways to receive and settle financial transactions can make these services easier to reach.
The Palawan Group of Companies (PGC) and Radiowealth Finance Company (RFC) are strengthening their partnership to provide customers with more convenient channels for loan disbursements and payments. Through the collaboration, customers can receive loan proceeds through Palawan, while borrowers can also settle their monthly loan amortizations through Palawan’s nationwide network. The partnership also marks PGC’s first integration with RFC for payment services through PalawanPay, further expanding digital payment options for RFC customers.
Executives from the Palawan Group of Companies and Radiowealth Finance Company formalize their partnership to expand access to loan disbursement and payment services for more Filipinos
The partnership also brings RFC transactions closer to customers through Palawan’s physical branches and digital touchpoints, giving borrowers more options when accessing and managing their financial transactions. This builds on the complementary strengths of the two organizations—Radiowealth’s lending expertise and Palawan’s extensive physical and digital reach.
“This partnership allows us to work more closely and respond more quickly to our customers’ needs. It reflects our commitment to serving the underserved through ‘Pagmamahal sa Pilipinas’ and ‘Serbisyong may Malasakit.’ Beyond business growth, we want to create solutions that make financial services more accessible to fellow Filipinos,” shared Lisa Castro-Sabado, Chief Business Development Officer of the Palawan Group of Companies.
The closer working relationship will also support more efficient coordination across operations, finance, marketing, and customer service, with both organizations emphasizing open communication as they work together to address customer needs.
“This partnership is about more than disbursements and business growth. It is about serving the underserved. By combining our strengths and maintaining open communication, we can create more opportunities for Filipinos who need accessible financial services the most. While today marks an important milestone, we see this as only the beginning of many more opportunities to grow together and make a greater impact,” said Jun Famatigan, Chairman of Radiowealth Finance Company.
Radiowealth Finance and Palawan Group executives strengthen their collaboration to expand access to financial services.
With Palawan’s nationwide network supporting both physical and digital transactions, the collaboration gives RFC customers more ways to access financial services without relying on a single channel. Palawan’s branches provide an over-the-counter option for loan-related transactions, while its digital touchpoints further extend the convenience of managing financial needs.
The partnership reflects both organizations’ shared commitment to serving communities that may have fewer options for formal financial services. For Palawan, this is part of its broader mission of “Pagmamahal sa Pilipinas” and its belief that businesses can contribute to nation-building by creating solutions that meet Filipinos’ needs.
As Palawan Group and Radiowealth continue to build on their partnership, both organizations will look for more ways to combine their strengths and bring financial services closer to more communities across the country. At its core, the collaboration aims to make everyday financial transactions more accessible and give more Filipinos options that fit their needs.
Partnership Perspectives forums equip clients with investment insights and long-term wealth strategies
In its latest market outlook event, EastWest Priority highlights wealth preservation and legacy planning amid market uncertainty.
MANILA, Philippines – As investors navigate an increasingly complex market environment, diversification, liquidity, and capital preservation are becoming increasingly important.
These themes took center stage during recent editions of the Partnership Perspectives series held in Bacolod and Pampanga, where clients engaged with experts on market outlooks, portfolio strategy, wealth preservation, and legacy planning.
The forums featured EastWest Chief Investment Officer Bede Lovell Gomez and EastWest Ageas Distribution Training Head Patrick Lim, who shared insights on navigating today’s investment landscape while preparing for long-term financial security.
EastWest Chief Investment Officer Bede Lovell Gomez
“With inflation pressures, elevated yields, and currency volatility remaining key risks, investors should focus on diversification, liquidity, and capital preservation rather than chasing returns,” said Gomez. “Successful wealth management is about more than generating returns. It also involves creating sustainable income, protecting legacy, and maintaining the flexibility to adapt as markets evolve.”
Beyond investing, the forums highlighted the growing importance of legacy planning, with discussions covering succession planning, wealth protection, and preparing future generations to manage family wealth responsibly.
EastWest Ageas Distribution Training Head Patrick Lim
“Many families spend years building wealth. Legacy planning helps ensure that wealth continues to support future generations in the way it was intended,” Lim said.
The events are among the exclusive benefits offered to EastWest Priority clients, connecting them with timely market insights, wealth management expertise, and meaningful conversations on wealth creation, preservation, and succession.
“Building wealth is only one part of the journey. Equally important is preserving it and ensuring it can support future generations,” said Richard Chester Tamayo, EastWest Head of Wealth Management. “Through Partnership Perspectives, we bring clients closer to the insights, solutions, and experts that can help them pursue their goals with confidence and create a meaningful legacy for their families.”
To learn more about EastWest Priority and its exclusive privileges, events, and wealth management solutions, visit https://www.eastwestbanker.com/priority.
Mountain Dew brings excitement to MassKara Festival 2026. Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines, Inc. (PCPPI), through its Mountain Dew brand, joined the colorful MassKara Festival 2026 with exciting activations across Bacolod City.
A major highlight was the Mountain Dew Village along Lacson Street, which brought together festivalgoers for great food, live music, interactive games, and entertainment, including a foam party finale. The celebration provided an opportunity for Mountain Dew to connect with locals and tourists while sharing in the festive spirit of Bacolod’s iconic festival.
Independent governance recognition underscores the Bank’s focus on accountability, transparency, and responsible oversight
Security Bank was recognized with three Golden Arrows by the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD). Present to receive the recognition were (L-R) Atty. Karreen Ballesteros, VP and Corporate Governance and Data Protection Officer, and Anna Christina M. Chinjen, SVP and Chief Compliance Officer.
Makati City, Philippines — Security Bank has earned Three Golden Arrows from the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD), reinforcing its commitment to the standards of governance that matter to customers, investors, and the public.
For a bank entrusted with people’s savings, businesses, and investments, good governance is more than a regulatory requirement. It helps ensure that decisions are properly overseen, risks are responsibly managed, and the institution remains accountable to those who depend on it.
The recognition was presented at the Golden Arrow Awards 2026 on October 23, 2026 at Makati Shangri-La.
“People trust us with their money and their financial futures. We have a responsibility to earn that confidence through the way we run the Bank,” said Security Bank Chairman Cirilo Noel. “This recognition reflects our continued commitment to sound oversight, responsible decisions, and accountability.”
The Golden Arrow Awards are based on the ASEAN Corporate Governance Scorecard (ACGS), which evaluates publicly disclosed governance practices, including shareholder rights, transparency, sustainability and resilience, stakeholder relations, and board accountability.
For customers, these standards help reinforce confidence in how the Bank is managed. For investors, they provide an important foundation for assessing governance discipline, transparency, and long-term value creation.
The iconic organic, refill-led concept enables Filipinos to make healthier, zero-waste food, home and beauty choices
(L-R) Christian Tan (President, Healthy Options Group), Paul McEachern (First Secretary for Economic Investment, Australian Embassy), Christine Coqueiro (Vice President – Retail Development, Rockwell Land), Romy Sia (Managing Director, Healthy Options Group), Jeremy Kirk (Founder & Managing Director, Scoop Wholefoods), Bettina Kirk (Founder & CEO, Scoop Wholefoods), Daisy Clasper (Founder, Scoop Whole Beauty)
A new approach to eco-friendly living meets Filipinos as Australian cult-favorite Scoop Wholefoods and Scoop Whole Beauty opens in the Philippines—introducing a refill-led retail experience where shoppers buy exactly what they need, when they need it.
Located at Power Plant Mall, Scoop Wholefoods — along with its personal care counterpart, Scoop Whole Beauty— offers a modern, eco-friendly way to shop. Instead of single-use plastic sachets, Scoop elevates this practice into a zero-waste routine, allowing shoppers to buy exact quantities using reusable containers or paper bags without compromising quality while supporting sustainability.
“Shopping by weight gives people the freedom to make healthier choices that respect both their budget and the planet,” share founders Jeremy and Bettina Kirk. “By choosing only the quantities they need, shoppers take full control of their spending, avoid waste and presumption, and reduce single-use plastics.”
“Filipinos have long understood the practicality buying in custom portions. Bringing Scoop to the Philippines allows us to elevate that familiar habit into a modern, zero-waste lifestyle,” say Romy Sia, Managing Director of Healthy Options Group.
Redefining the Eco-Friendly Shopping Experience
Founded in Sydney in 2013 and inspired by the vibrant traditional markets of Malta, Scoop Wholefoods began as a simple family idea built on a shared purpose. Today, with over 20 locations worldwide, that Australian family spirit connects high-quality wholefoods, healthier living, and care for the planet.
Scoop introduces a fresh retail model built on choice, discovery, and sustainability across its food and personal care offerings. No longer limited to fixed pack sizes, customers have the flexibility to purchase in bulk and in exact quantities through a pay-by-weight approach. On top of enabling them to purchase according to their budget, doing so also encourages pantry freshness by ensuring ingredients are constantly replenished rather than left forgotten.
“Conscious living is best integrated into daily routines when it is made intuitive and practical for shoppers,” Sia added. “Whether you need a single pinch of a specialty spice for a new recipe or a full week’s supply of household staples, you buy only what serves your home, eliminating both wasted food and wasted money.”
Beyond encouraging conscious pantry management, Scoop transforms routine errands into an engaging, interactive lifestyle. Shoppers can bring their own containers to eliminate single-use packaging, turning standard grocery runs into a deliberate ritual of discovery as they choose, scoop, and sample across organic whole foods, natural treats, and pantry staples.
Scoop works closely with artisanal producers in Australia to develop products tailored to customer preferences, highlighted by crowd favorites like Byron Bay chocolate-coated fruits and nuts, alongside freshly prepared granolas and mueslis.
While Scoop brings its signature international selection to Manila, the Philippine store proudly integrates local sourcing into the retail experience. Customers can look forward to homegrown staples, including locally harvested rice from Family Farms and fresh, probiotic kombucha on tap from Brye and Brew. These initial partnerships bring Filipino producers directly into Scoop’s zero-waste ecosystem, with plans to expand its network of local farmers, artisans, and makers to offer shoppers even more sustainable local discoveries.
Championing Circular Beauty
The refill philosophy extends straight into self-care through Scoop Whole Beauty, bringing zero-waste principles to personal care routines. The dedicated beauty arm offers 100% vegan, palm-oil-free, and toxin-free cosmetics and skincare crafted from ethically sourced, earth-based ingredients.
Shoppers can purchase liquid soaps, face masks, and body oils by weight, or explore plastic-free alternatives like solid shampoo bars and compostable beauty tools. To further eliminate single-use plastic, Scoop collaborates with Australian artisans on body care housed in fully compostable packaging, including natural deodorants, face washes, and lip balms.
Scoop’s lightweight, breathable mineral makeup line is especially suited for the warm, humid climate —absorbing oil and moisture while providing buildable, long-wearing coverage in tones crafted for Filipino skin. Customers can curate makeup palettes using plastic-free, refillable pans, allowing them to replace individual shades as needed without discarding an entire compact.
The Scoop Experience: Refill, Reuse, Repeat
Customers can bring their own clean containers from home or grab recyclable paper bags provided throughout the store. Empty containers are weighed at the counter first to ensure shoppers pay strictly for the contents brought home. From there, customers can explore the aisles at their own pace, gathering their selections before heading to the register to complete payment by weight.
“We designed Scoop as a welcoming space for everyone, whether you are taking your first zero-waste step or are a seasoned refiller,” share Jeremy and Bettina Kirk. “Scoop aims to be a place that enables people to take home high-quality ingredients with complete confidence that they are nourishing their families while caring for the planet.”
Visit Scoop Wholefoods at Power Plant Mall, Rockwell, Makati City, and experience a fresh, zero-waste approach to daily shopping.
To learn more about Scoop’s wholefoods selection, refillable beauty lines, and ongoing local partnerships, follow Scoop Wholefoods Philippines and Scoop Whole Beauty Philippines on social media.
Manila, Philippines (November 4, 2026) — Finding an all-around audio companion that blocks out a noisy environment while lasting for weeks usually means paying a premium price. Soon, HUAWEI is set to change the game for wireless audio users with the HUAWEI FreeBuds SE 5 MAX! For under PHP 3,000, the earbuds deliver battery life that lasts beyond two weeks and impressive adaptive AI-powered noise cancellation.
Where Blue Skies Meet Ocean-Inspired Elegance
The HUAWEI FreeBuds SE 5 MAX immediately captivates with a soft, minimalist design. The charging case features a semi-transparent top cover with 45% translucency paired with a pearl-like matte bottom shell that is smooth, streak-free, and fingerprint-free. A compact, fashion-forward tech accessory, the earbuds are available in White, Black, and a standout Blue hero colorway, inspired by the blue skies above and the ocean below.
MAX Power. Non-Stop Listening For Weeks
Losing audio mid-commute due to a depleted battery is a major frustration for today's on-the-go consumers. To prevent this, the HUAWEI FreeBuds SE 5 MAX delivers industry-leading MAX Power for less than PHP 3,000, offering up to 80 hours of total battery life when paired with the charging case. This massive capacity gives users more than two weeks of use, powering them through long hours of traffic commutes along EDSA, back-to-back virtual client meetings, or binge-watching their favorite series at night.
This enduring ultra-long battery makes the earbuds the ultimate travel companion, easily lasting through overnight bus rides from the province to Manila or long layovers during international trips without forcing users to hunt for a wall socket or airport charging station.
For those constantly in a rush, the ultra-fast charging feature delivers four hours of continuous playback from a quick 10-minute charge with a charging case, making it the ideal lifeline for university students rushing to a morning class or gym-goers needing a quick charge before starting their set.
MAX Silence. Block Out the Noise for Absolute Focus
Complementing this uninterrupted power, the HUAWEI FreeBuds SE 5 MAX gives users peace of mind with flagship-level MAX Silence, offering up to 52dB of Active Noise Cancellation that silences up to 99.9% of surrounding noise. Powered by a Dynamic 3 Multi-Mode AI Noise Cancellation system, the earbuds intelligently read the surrounding environment and automatically adjust the intensity.
It shifts seamlessly to Ultra mode to block out the roar of an MRT ride or a noisy wet market. Medium mode suppresses noise in a bustling food court, while Cosy cuts off subtle noises like the humming of air conditioners or the sound of flipping book pages nearby, giving users working in a shared dormitory or studying in a quiet library absolute focus.
Hushing environmental sound, the HUAWEI FreeBuds SE 5 MAX also enables users to communicate in chaotic outdoor environments. The earbuds feature advanced Wind Noise Resistance to suppress wind noise and a 6-Mic AI Call Noise Cancellation system that isolates and extracts human voices. This means users can confidently take an urgent work call with crisp, professional-quality audio while walking past noisy construction roadworks or waiting at an open-air transport terminal.
MAX Comfort. All-Day Wear Customizable Fit for Zero Ear Fatigue
Traditional earbuds often lead to severe ear fatigue after long use or easily slip out during a walk. The HUAWEI FreeBuds SE 5 MAX provides a perfect ergonomic fit with a featherlight build of just 4.3g per earbud, which is the lightest HUAWEI earbuds to date. Based on over 10 million human ear data points and 10,000 physical ear samples collected from extensive research by HUAWEI Labs, this design allows users to wear the earbuds through hours of back-to-back online client meetings in a bustling co-working space or during extended weekend shopping sprees without any ear pain or heavy fatigue.
This user-centric design is further enhanced by three sizes (S, M, L) of skin-friendly silicone ear tips in each box, so users can choose the most snug, secure fit for themselves. Whether jogging through a local park for a morning workout or walking through crowded food stalls in Quiapo, these ultra-comfortable earbuds stay in place without falling out.
MAX Sound Quality. Hear Every Detail with a Concert-Like Experience
Budget audio devices often deliver muffled, compressed sound that strips the life out of music. The HUAWEI FreeBuds SE 5 MAX leaves no detail behind with a MAX Sound Quality profile that rivals premium, flagship models. These earbuds feature 4K-Level Hi-Res audio powered by LDAC technology, delivering three times more sound detail than standard Bluetooth connections. Whether a user is enduring long rush-hour traffic along SLEX or riding a packed UV Express home, they can stream favorite artists with studio-like clarity.
Paired with a 10mm dynamic driver, this setup produces richer bass and crystal-clear, lossless sound. This ensures users get audio quality that feels like they are vibing at their own concert wherever they go.
MAX Connections. Compatible with Any Device without Disconnecting
Manually unpairing Bluetooth between gadgets is a common daily frustration. HUAWEI FreeBuds SE 5 MAX’s broad compatibility across Android and iOS devices, including Windows, allows users to stay connected to two devices without manually disconnecting.
This means users can seamlessly switch from watching a video lecture on a tablet at a local coffee shop to answering an urgent call from a delivery rider on a smartphone. The latest Bluetooth 6.0 technology guarantees stable, interference-free connections and accurate audio synchronization. Whether users are actively climbing the ranks in Mobile Legends during a quick lunch break or catching up on series on a crowded train commute, they get a smooth, lag-free experience.
Limited audio settings are a common problem for listeners. To personalize their listening experience, users can download the HUAWEI Audio Connect app on Android and iOS. This platform unlocks the device's full potential by allowing full customization of gesture controls, 10-band EQ settings, ANC modes, and more.
To protect this premium technology, the HUAWEI FreeBuds SE 5 MAX is built with heavy-duty durability. With an IP55 rating for dust and water resistance for sweaty workouts or sudden rain showers, alongside an SGS certification validating endurance across 26 rigorous durability tests, these all-day reliable earbuds are the best audio companions to take anywhere.
HUAWEI Loss Care. Get Genuine Spare Parts and Reliable Support
Losing a single earbud during a hectic MRT commute or a crowded outdoor run is a major hassle that usually forces users to buy an entirely new set. To provide total peace of mind, every purchase of the HUAWEI FreeBuds SE 5 MAX includes a Worry-Free Care Package called HUAWEI Loss Care service, which takes effect immediately upon device activation. Valid for one year from the date of purchase, this premium, one-time benefit allows users to purchase a single replacement earbud—left or right—at 50% off the original price if it is accidentally lost or damaged.
Users are guaranteed a 100% original, genuine replacement earbud that comes with its own 90-day warranty. To claim this, users just need to present the remaining earbud, the charging case, and valid proof of purchase at any HUAWEI Authorized Service Center, or apply through Postal Repair. This ensures that a simple accident doesn't interrupt the user's everyday audio experience.
Power to the MAX with the HUAWEI FreeBuds SE 5 MAX
Combining up to 80 hours of uninterrupted battery life with flagship-level 52dB Active Noise Cancellation, the HUAWEI FreeBuds SE 5 MAX stands out as the ultimate affordable earbuds for value-conscious users. Coming soon to the Philippines, the HUAWEI FreeBuds SE 5 MAX officially launches for a special promotional price starting at PHP 1,999 (down from its original price of PHP 2,999). Users can secure their pair early through a TikTok Exclusive launch starting November 8 at 12 AM. Following this early access, the earbuds will be officially available across Shopee, Lazada, and the HUAWEI Online Store starting November 10 at 12 PM.
For the latest updates, visit the official HUAWEI website and HUAWEI’s official social media pages (Facebook | Instagram).
For Filipino employees, the value of health coverage should begin long before a hospital bill arrives. It should help them get screened, seek medical advice early, and act on health concerns before these become more serious.
That is the focus of InLife Benefits Insurance Company, Inc.’s efforts to bring preventive healthcare closer to the workplace as PhilHealth moves to strengthen coordination between public and private health insurance coverage.
Through its participation in the PhilHealth YAKAP–HMO/PHI Benefit Complementation initiative and a separate awareness-building partnership with PhilHealth, InLife Benefits is helping employees make the most of their healthcare benefits by promoting greater awareness and more efficient utilization of the health services available to them.
Making coverage work together
For employees with both PhilHealth and company-provided health benefits, understanding how their coverage fits together is an important step toward making better use of it.
The PhilHealth YAKAP–HMO/PHI Benefit Complementation initiative seeks to align benefits from the national health insurer with those offered by health maintenance organizations (HMOs) and private health insurance providers, including InLife Benefits. Under the initiative, PhilHealth’s Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP) will serve as the initial layer of coverage for eligible primary care services, with participating private insurers providing complementary benefits for expenses beyond the program’s coverage.
The arrangement aims to minimize overlapping benefits, improve healthcare access, and help reduce members’ out-of-pocket expenses. For InLife Benefits, it also supports a broader effort to make preventive care a more accessible part of employees’ lives.
Bringing prevention into the workplace
Coverage alone does not ensure that employees seek care. They also need to know which services are available and understand how to use them.
Through a separate Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with PhilHealth, InLife Benefits has committed to promoting YAKAP among its corporate clients, encouraging early disease screening, and helping employees better understand the healthcare services available to them.
Its network of corporate clients provides an avenue to bring that information closer to employees—connecting PhilHealth’s preventive healthcare initiative with workplaces where greater awareness can encourage earlier action.
Despite widespread PhilHealth membership among the workforce, awareness of the preventive services available under YAKAP remains a challenge. InLife Benefits seeks to help address this gap through its engagement with private employers, encouraging employees to explore and use the services available to them. Together, these efforts address two connected needs: benefits that work better together and employees who understand how to use them.
For InLife Benefits, the goal is to make health coverage matter earlier in the decision to get screened, the opportunity to seek advice, and the chance to address a health concern before it becomes a crisis.
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