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4 PH start-ups headed to Singtel Group Future Makers Regional Programme
FOUR Philippine start-ups will train and vie for financial grants, possible regional investments, and coaching and mentoring support, as they join the 2021 Singtel Group Future Makers Regional Programme this month. The biennial event helps start-ups and enterprises cultivate their social innovation initiatives, and accelerate both business growth and social impact.
The programme is a collaboration among Singtel Group of Mobile Operators, including Advanced Info Services Plc. (Thailand), Airtel (India), Optus (Australia), Singtel (Singapore), Telkomsel (Indonesia), and Globe (Philippines). The programme was established to fulfill Singtel Group’s commitment to social innovation.
“Globe strongly believes in the Filipino talent and providing platforms for start-ups to learn and accelerate their growth will go a long way for these innovators. We continue to be an advocate of the start-up community because they are potential drivers of social and economic growth,” said Yoly G. Crisanto, Globe Chief Sustainability Officer and Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications.
This year, Singtel Group Future Makers was participated in by 20 alumni impact start-ups from each local program to collaborate for potential regional expansion and collaboration supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals such as UN SDG No. 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), UN SDG No. 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and UN SDG No. 10 (Reduce Inequalities).
Through the program, these social innovators can benefit from financial, technical, and marketing assistance to scale up their projects as they present their cases alongside other emerging startups in the region. Thus, Singtel Group Future Makers provides these budding start-ups with capacity-building support, such as coaching and structured workshops. This can help not only sharpen value proposition and pitching capabilities, but also knowledge and insight sharing through mentorship.
Likewise, the start-ups will receive networking opportunities through the Singtel Group Future Makers alumni. Participants will also be encouraged to explore linkages through the Singtel Group Future Makers partner network, including potential and impact investors.
The programme will end with a Shared Value Pitch Day on 15 November where the top start-up from each region will get to pitch from a cash pool of up to S$150,000 to further their shared value collaboration proof of concept with Singtel Group partners. The pitch day will be attended by Singtel Group stakeholders, community partners and impact investors.
“We are glad to have Globe as a long-time partner since the inception of the Singtel Group Future Makers Regional Programme in 2017. We look forward to using this platform to foster regional shared value opportunities with Globe’s nominated start-ups to generate both social impact for the communities we operate in and commercial returns for the business,” said Andrew Buay, Vice President, Group Sustainability, Singtel and Optus.
For this year’s run, the Philippines is represented by EdVenture, KodeGo, BentaTV, and Inon. Before going to the regional competition, the delegation underwent a careful selection process through the Globe Future Makers (GFM) program. GFM aims to help build an ecosystem of support for local social innovators who use technology to solve the country’s most challenging social problems.
Three of the start-ups namely BentaTV, KodeGo, and EdVenture are supported by 917Ventures, Globe’s wholly-owned subsidiary, and the country’s largest corporate venture builder. From online selling, IT careers and e-learning, these start-ups intend to make lives brighter for their users.
BentaTV is a platform that seeks to make online selling easier and more convenient for online “hustlers” in managing their business. KodeGo is a “study now, pay later” coding boot camp that can build IT careers in just 12 weeks while providing companies with top-quality talents. Lastly, EdVenture is an online learning platform that offers solutions to all the school stakeholders, such as online tutoring for kids, online consultation for parents, and online job opportunities for Filipino teachers.
iNON, on the other hand, caught Globe’s attention in 2019, for its mobile app, ISDApp, then considered to have “the most potential to improve life on Earth or in the universe.” The concept bested nearly 1,400 global entries to win one of six top spots at the annual hackathon challenge of the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
Since GFM’s debut in 2017, 13 different start-ups, locally and internationally, have been given a chance to build their brand and contribute to social development. These unique and pioneering start-ups focused on projects dealing with learning and education, health and well-being, climate change and displacement, and e-commerce.
Globe strongly supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly UN SDG No. 9, which highlights the roles of infrastructure and innovation as crucial drivers of economic growth and development. Globe is committed to upholding the United Nations Global Compact principles and 10 UN SDGs.
To find out more about Singtel Group Future Makers Regional Programme, visit: https://virtualsgfm2021.com/
To know more about Globe’s sustainability initiatives, visit https://www.globe.com.ph/about-us/sustainability.html.
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Tesla Cybertruck winner bought 10 units of HONOR X9d 5G
2:56 p.m. April 21, 2026
Global leading AI device brand HONOR handed over the coveted Tesla Cybertruck to the winner of the HONOR X9d 5G “Win A Tesla Cybertruck” promo that ran during the toughest phone’s pre-order period January 9 to 23, 2026.
“The HONOR X9d 5G is our biggest win this year, and it continues to stand out in its category with its ultra-tough build, engineered to withstand everyday drops and pressure, making it a reliable companion for users with active lifestyles. This awarding marked a milestone not only for us, but also to our growing community of Filipino fans,” said HONOR Philippines Vice President Stephen Cheng.
Launched as part of HONOR’s effort to bring excitement to the Filipino market, the HONOR X9d 5G Win-A-Tesla Cybertruck promo captured nationwide attention, drawing strong participation from consumers eager to experience the smartphone’s exceptional durability, long-lasting battery life, and sleek design—while also getting a chance to win a once-in-a-lifetime prize.
The much-anticipated turnover celebrated excitement and the rewarding experience that HONOR continues to bring to its consumers. The grand winner, Lorelyn Felonia, who purchased 10 pieces of HONOR X9d 5G during the promo period, drove home not just a powerful smartphone but also one of the rarest vehicles in the world.
To award the multi-million prize were HONOR Philippines Country Manager Sean Yuan, Digital Marketing Manager and Content Lead Eason De Guzman.
With the successful conclusion of the campaign, HONOR Philippines looks forward to launching more exciting initiatives that combine cutting-edge technology with equally compelling rewards to its loyal HONOR fans.
To learn more about this exciting news, visit HONOR’s website www.hihonor.com, and follow HONOR Philippines on Facebook (Facebook.com/HonorPhilippines), Instagram (Instagram.com/honorph/) and TikTok: (Tiktok.com/@honorphilippines) for exclusive teasers, launch updates, and big reveal.
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#GCashTipidTips: DOTr-mandated 50% discounted MRT-3 fares can be availed via GCash
6:15 p.m. April 18, 2026
STARTING April 23, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) has implemented a discounted fare matrix for single-journey tickets, stored-value cards, and cashless payments in response to rising consumer prices.
Passengers of Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) can easily avail of the discounted fare via the GCash app by using the GCash Commute QR, NFC-enabled Android phone, or GCash Visa card. Commuters can skip the ticketing booth lines and go directly to the platforms, making travel more convenient and seamless.
The GCash payment schemes have been up and running at MRT-3 since July last year, providing commuters with cashless options for their daily travels.
The goal is simple: to make everyday transactions more affordable, accessible, and seamless for Filipinos.
For more information, please visit https://help.gcash.com/hc/en-us/articles/49102305024025-Can-I-use-GCash-for-transportation
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DigiPlus levels up user engagement with ArenaPlus’ P1B Prediction Giveaway
5:10 p.m. April 7, 2026
DigiPlus Interactive Corp., the country’s pioneer and leader in digital entertainment, through its flagship sportsbook platform ArenaPlus, formally launched its P1 Billion Prediction Giveaway last Saturday, March 21, heralding a major step-up in its customer acquisition and retention strategy.
This initiative is anchored by a high-stakes prediction challenge designed to invite new users onto ArenaPlus, while also deepening player participation and reinforcing brand leadership in the Philippine online sportsbook space. Central to this campaign is the introduction of a localized tournament bracket game—a staple in American sports culture that ArenaPlus is pioneering for the local market.
“We want to bring some excitement for the Filipino basketball fans, especially since we know that the NBA is the most popular sport here. The bracket game is actually very common in the US. It’s been running there constantly for years, but the Philippines has never had that experience. We want to bring that here,” said ArenaPlus Head Erick Su.
By offering the ₱1 Billion Prediction Giveaway as a free-to-play initiative, DigiPlus enables fans to engage in the tournament without any monetary commitment. Su emphasized that the campaign is designed to provide a safe, entertainment-led experience, with the bracket format sustaining interest from the opening round of the Playoffs through the Finals, where one team ultimately prevails.
“I think the excitement will be from beginning to the end. Because the bracket game covers the whole stage of the Playoffs, fans can expand their predictions and go along with the whole process and expect that they can win,” Su said. “So that’s going to bring a lot of excitement. And this is completely free and very safe as we want to entertain Filipinos.”
Amplifying the campaign that launched at Mall of Asia Sky Deck Amphitheater in Pasay City was premier host and actor Luis “Lucky” Manzano, who was also introduced as ArenaPlus’ latest brand ambassador. Joining Manzano were fellow endorsers Gilas Pilipinas naturalized player Justin Brownlee, multi-time champion assistant coach Bong Ravena, and his son, international pro Thirdy, who are effectively raising ArenaPlus’ visibility while also broadening the brand’s demographic reach.
“At ArenaPlus, we are relentless with our commitment to elevate our players’ experience, making sports more fulfilling, more immersive, and more rewarding for every Filipino,” said ArenaPlus Marketing Head Hannah Bagui as ArenaPlus continues to differentiate itself by pioneering accessible digital sports entertainment.
While the campaign is designed to drive wide participation, ArenaPlus emphasized that it intends to maintain strict platform integrity through its rigorous eKYC (electronic Know Your Customer) process. Such a guardrail bolsters an already rich suite of responsible gaming tools built into ArenaPlus, such as options to set daily gaming durations, customize specific gaming schedules, and establish daily loss limits. This ensures that while the campaign achieves great reach, it does so within a secure, transparent, and compliant environment that builds trust.
Through these strategic customer activations and continuous platform innovation, DigiPlus Interactive Corp. continues to solidify its legacy as the definitive pioneer of the Philippine digital entertainment industry, driving growth while also redefining user engagement
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