Sunday, May 18, 2025



For many Filipinos, a motorcycle is more than just a mode of transportation—it represents an opportunity to improve their quality of life. Whether used for work, family needs, or personal freedom, motorcycles offer a practical and affordable solution to everyday mobility needs. Yet for many, the challenge of securing financing has kept that goal just out of reach.

Now, two trusted names are breaking down that barrier.

Home Credit Philippines (HCPH), the country’s leading consumer finance company, has partnered with KServico, the widest retail network for motorcycles, three-wheelers, e-bikes, appliances, laptops, mobile phones, and furniture. This partnership brings fast and easy motorcycle financing to nearly 180 KServico stores across Metro Manila and Luzon, making it more accessible and convenient for Filipinos to own motorcycles and experience New Rides and New Possibilities.

Driven by a shared commitment to help more Filipinos achieve their dream of owning a motorcycle, Home Credit and KServico now offer flexible installment plans with just one valid ID and a one-minute approval process, enabling customers to acquire quality, feature-packed motorcycles from top brands in the country.

The partnership was officially launched during a signing ceremony held on May 8 at the KServico Cubao branch. The event was attended by key executives from Home Credit, KServico, and partner motorcycle brands, such as Honda, Kawasaki, Kymco, Suzuki, and Yamaha, marking the beginning of a collaboration aimed at enhancing motorcycle ownership accessibility and creating new possibilities for Filipinos.


“At Home Credit, we understand that motorcycles are more than just a mode of transportation—they’re a means to empower Filipinos, especially those engaged in delivery, ride-hailing, and other gig economy opportunities. However, the upfront cost can be a barrier for many. Through this partnership, we’re happy to offer fast and easy motorcycle financing, making it more accessible for Filipinos to own their dream motorcycles. With our installment deals, minimal requirements, and quick approval process, we’re enabling more Filipinos to experience the thrill of new rides and the new possibilities that come with them,” said Sheila Paul, Chief Marketing Officer of HCPH.



Building on proven success


This partnership builds on the success of Home Credit’s motorcycle financing pilot launched in 2024 with KServico’s affiliate company, EMCOR Inc. The pilot which ran across 160 EMCOR stores, saw strong customer interest and positive feedback in Visayas and Mindanao. With KServico on board, Home Credit now expands its motorcycle financing program to Metro Manila and Luzon, bringing fast and easy motorcycle financing to a broader market. The initiative aims to cater to more Filipinos who view motorcycle ownership as a gateway to better mobility, increased earning potential, and improved way of life.

“At KServico, we believe that every hardworking Filipino deserves a reliable motorcycle that offers the freedom and convenience they need. Our partnership with Home Credit helps turn that vision into reality for thousands of our customers across Metro Manila and Luzon. We are grateful to Home Credit for making financing more accessible and for sharing our commitment to empower more Filipinos through practical mobility solutions,” said Grace Balingit, President of KServico.


Fast and easy motorcycle installment deals

Through this partnership, owning a motorcycle is now fast and easy for Filipinos. Customers can now choose from a wide range of top-quality motorcycles from trusted brands available at KServico and enjoy flexible installment plans powered by Home Credit. With just one valid ID and a fast approval process that takes as little as one minute, more Filipinos can now take the first step toward owning their dream motorcycle.

Home Credit sales representatives are available at all participating KServico stores to guide customers through every step of the financing process, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free experience.

To make the journey even easier, customers can visit Shoppingmall.ph to locate the nearest KServico branch, check the availability of motorcycle models, and explore financing options.

Through this collaboration, Home Credit and KServico are opening the road to new opportunities and mobility for more Filipinos, bringing the promise of New Rides and New Possibilities #ParaSaLife.

To know more about the latest updates from Home Credit Philippines, visit its official website and download the Home Credit App via Google Play, the App Store, or Huawei AppGallery to check for quick pre-approval on installment plans. You may also follow its official Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok accounts.

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



Sun Life Philippines has been recognized for its innovative approach to human resources management, earning a Silver Stevie Award at the prestigious 2025 Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards. The company received the accolade in the category of Innovation in Human Resources Management, Planning, and Practice for its future-forward programs designed to cultivate a resilient and adaptable workplace.


The Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards honor innovation in all aspects of business across 29 nations in the Asia-Pacific region. Sun Life Philippines’ winning entry highlighted its strategic HR initiatives focused on talent development, employee engagement, and fostering a culture of continuous learning to prepare its employees for the future.

The awarding ceremony was held in Seoul, South Korea, where business leaders from across the region
gathered to celebrate outstanding achievements. Yna Alba, HR Transformation Lead of Sun Life Philippines, and Jeffrey Viri, Talent Acquisition Manager of Sun Life Philippines, accepted the award on behalf of the company.

“We are deeply honored to receive the Silver Stevie Award, which emphasizes our unwavering commitment to our people,” said Michelle Cordero-Garcia, Chief Human Resources Officer of Sun Life
Philippines. “As we celebrate our 130th anniversary, this recognition fuels our passion to continue innovating our HR practices and empowering our employees with the skills and mindset needed to thrive in the years to come.”

Sun Life Philippines remains dedicated to fostering an environment where its employees can grow, contribute meaningfully, and build fulfilling careers.

Want to join Sun Life Philippines and build a brighter future? Visit www.sunlife.co/BecomeAnEmployee to learn more.

Headlined by fast-rising groups CALEIN and Horizon, Castaway Music Festival in SM City Baliwag offered back-to-back performances that resonated with the Gen Z demographic.

Thousands of music enthusiasts, mostly Gen Z demographic, packed the open grounds of SM City Baliwag over the weekend as the much-awaited Castaway Music Festival returned with a renewed focus on celebrating local talent and energizing the Original Pilipino Music (OPM) scene.

SM City Baliwag was bursting with beats and boundless energy as the Castaway Music Festival drew thousands of music lovers over the weekend, transforming the mall grounds into a vibrant playground for OPM and youth culture.

Headlined by crowd favorites CALEIN and P-pop sensation Horizon, the festival tapped into the pulse of today’s generation, blending pop, indie, and alternative sounds. The festival also serves as a powerful reminder of how youth-driven communities are reshaping the local music landscape. With pop-rock anthems and synth-heavy tracks echoing through the evening, the crowd sang, danced, and waved lights in unison, proving that live Filipino music is far from fading.

Emerging OPM artists like Amiel Sol, Leona, and SSUNN brought a fresh OPM wave to Castaway Music Fest in SM City Baliwag.


Castaway Music Festival also introduced a promising roster of up-and-coming OPM artists such as Amiel Sol, Leona, and SSUNN, who drew cheers from first-time listeners and loyal fans alike. Their energetic sets showcased a growing appetite for genre-blending, emotionally resonant songs—hallmarks of Gen Z musical preferences.

P-pop powerhouse Horizon delivered high-octane performances that had fans chanting every lyric—old hits, new anthems, and everything in between—at Castaway Music Fest in SM City Baliwag.

Now on its annual run, Castaway Music Festival continues to build its reputation as a must-see event in SM City Baliwag, spotlighting the evolving sound of OPM. This year’s staging in Baliwag marks a continued push to decentralize music festivals and support local music scenes beyond Metro Manila.

Breakout artists Amiel Sol, Leona, and SSUNN wowed fans and streaming charts at Castaway Music Festival in SM City Baliwag.

Organized by SM Supermalls, the Castaway Music Festival is part of the company’s wider commitment to promoting Filipino artistry. Concertgoers were given access to the festival by presenting receipts from mall purchases.

Beyond entertainment, Castaway Music Festival aims to give a stage to new talents while encouraging fans to discover and embrace the evolving sound of OPM.


Saturday, May 17, 2025

For corporates, developers, and hospitality operators, project delays equate to lost revenue and frustrated stakeholders. Our Home For Business offers turnkey, end-to-end furniture and fit-out solutions designed to streamline projects and accelerate timelines.

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Leveraging decades of retail merchandising expertise, Our Home delivers cost- effective, detail-oriented design for commercial spaces, including offices, rentals, hotels, and restaurants. By providing a single point of contact, Our Home For Business eliminates the complexities of piecemeal procurement, reducing coordination hassles, hidden costs, and enabling faster project completion.

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Your vision, our expertise. Our Home For Business partners with you to bring your commercial space concept to life, offering end-to-end solutions that accelerate the process and deliver a space designed for success.


Here's how Our Home For Business simplifies the process:


  • Full-Service Fit-Out: Our Home ensures seamless integration of furniture into the space, creating a ready-to-go environment, not just delivering items.

  • Complimentary Interior Design: In-house design professionals offer consultations, collaborating on concept development and item selection based on client preferences and specifications.
  • Customization: Furniture can be customized with preferred fabrics, finishes, sizes, and configurations to align with specific design visions and brand identities; bundles and room packages are also available and modifiable.
  • Professional Installation: Our Home's team handles set-up and installation, including finishing touches, ensuring a smooth transition and preventing costly errors.
  • Streamlined Logistics: With 33 branches nationwide, Our Home simplifies shipping and distribution, eliminating delivery headaches and delays.
  • Extensive Product Range: The Our Home catalog offers a wide variety of stylish and durable furniture, including sustainable options, to meet diverse aesthetic and functional needs.

With a strong foundation in Filipino craftsmanship and global design trends, Our Home For Business delivers functional yet warm and inviting spaces. Backed by nearly three decades of experience, Our Home extends its expertise to businesses, providing a straightforward approach to creating spaces that support productivity and enhance brand image.



To accelerate your commercial property development, visit the Our Home For Business website or email corporatesales.oh@smretail.com or visit Our Home at SM City Marilao.



North Caloocan’s tech scene just got a major glow-up, with the highly anticipated opening of The Loop at SM Center Sangandaan. Tucked away on the third level of the mall's Cyberzone, this sleek new retail space is a haven for those looking to upgrade their tech game without the need to travel far.

Powered by Power Mac Center, The Loop has become a go-to destination for tech enthusiasts seeking the latest Apple products and accessories, as well as Android devices to cater to every gadget lover’s needs. From the newest iPhones and iPads to the chic Apple Watches, MAC computers, and top-tier audio gear, this modern tech shop is a one-stop destination for all things cutting-edge.

But what sets The Loop apart is more than just the products. The store is designed as a digital playground, where students and professionals alike can explore, experience, and get hands-on with the best gadgets on the market. Whether you’re gearing up for a gadget upgrade or hunting for the perfect accessories to complement your tech lifestyle, The Loop has it all in a space designed to inspire creativity and productivity.

So, if you’ve been meaning to level up your tech, or if you simply want to explore the best gadgets on the market, The Loop is the place to be. Step into the future of tech at SM Center Sangandaan and experience what’s next—right in your own neighborhood.

Stay updated. Stay connected. Be in the Loop—only at SM Center Sangandaan.




Saturday, May 10, 2025




To uphold the principles of fair and free elections, a multi-sectoral group gives its support to the
Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) Kontra-Bigay campaign, as it takes the lead with #MineAngBotoKo, a disruptive and high-visibility social movement and civic campaign directly
targeting vote-selling and vote-buying. Recognizing the need for innovative approaches, the
movement is designed for platforms where influence thrives—social media and livestream
commerce.

#MineAngBotoKo avoids lectures and speaks the language of live selling to engage the 21.87 million Gen Z voters expected to turn out in the upcoming midterm elections. It leverages storytelling and community-driven content, aiming to build a civic movement that feels more like culture than instruction, and pushes purpose into uncomfortable but necessary territory, especially in least-expected spaces. With vote-buying turned brazen, the solutions must be just as bold.

Comelec commissioner-in-charge Ernesto Ferdinand Maceda, Jr. said, “The video campaign perfectly captures the self-deprecating humor that resonates with our young voters. This is exactly the kind of hope the youth gives us—the hope that we are raising a generation of voters who understand the power of their voice and are willing to protect it. Let’s continue working together to ensure that these young voters inherit an electoral system worthy of their trust.”

The #MineAngBotoKo movement encourages young voters to take ownership of their democratic rights, as it sends a pointed signal to political candidates that the new generation of voters is more informed, discerning, and vocal about their commitment to an accountable and truly representative electoral process in the Philippines.

Comelec chairman George Erwin Garcia noted, “The strength of a nation’s democracy lies in the hands of its youth. When they say no to vote-buying and yes to integrity, they become the voice of real change.”

To amplify this movement, Comelec has forged a multi-sectoral partnership, initially bringing together FYT Media, a next-generation newsroom co-founded by veteran journalists Voltaire Tupaz and Atom Araullo; GCash, the country’s leading finance super app; and CDO Foodsphere, one of the Philippines’ largest food manufacturing companies. The campaign officially launches on May 9, 2025, and the Comelec expects more partners to join as election day nears.

To join, amplify, or support the movement, follow Comelec and use the hashtag #MineAngBotoKo on social media.

  Dagupan sizzled with pride, flavor, and Filipino flair as SM Center Dagupan brought the heat to the city’s iconic Bangus Festival with its dynamic Bangus Festival Food Fiesta and up-to-70% summer sale, all while proudly championing local entrepreneurship through SM for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).


In a city known as the Milkfish Capital of the Philippines, the annual Bangus Festival was more than just a celebration — it was a heartfelt tribute to the hardworking people and rich culture that made Dagupan shine. And this year, SM Center Dagupan didn’t just join the party — it elevated it.



In the photo: SM Supermalls Assistant Vice President for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Royce Cabunag (5th from left), with Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) representatives led by Atty. Joseph Manuel Pamittan (center), along with the MSMEs, at the launch of the Bangus Festival Food Fiesta at SM Center Dagupan in Pangasinan.

From April 25 to 30, SM shoppers and festival-goers enjoyed a feast for the senses with flavorful bangus-inspired delicacies, cultural exhibits, and handcrafted local products — all made possible by MSMEs proudly featured under the SM for MSMEs program.



Freshly packed dried fish from Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) attract food lovers.

“The Bangus Festival is a celebration of everything that makes Dagupan special — resilience, creativity, and community. By spotlighting our MSMEs, we’re helping bring their passion and products to a wider audience,” shared Joaquin San Agustin, Executive Vice President for Marketing, SM Supermalls.



Local Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) proudly display their finest bangus products.

In partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), this event emphasized the role of entrepreneurship in regional growth — proving that when local businesses thrived, communities flourished.



The Bangus Festival Food Fiesta showcases the best of local Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) offerings.

Beyond the food fiesta, mallgoers dove headfirst into the Bangus Festival Sale, where summer finds were up for grabs at up to 70% off — a perfect blend of shopping, savings, and celebration.

The SM for MSMEs initiative continued to be a cornerstone of SM Supermalls’ advocacy to uplift small businesses across the country. By supporting festivals like Bangus, SM reaffirmed its commitment to empowering local talents and traditions, ensuring that Filipino pride and enterprise went hand-in-hand.



A local vendor showcases their delicious bangus treats.

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