NEWS
BFAR, British Embassy Manila advance fisheries innovation, global collaboration in SAFET 2026
8:30 a.m. July 20, 2026
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) and the British Embassy Manila have partnered to co-host the Seafood and Fisheries Emerging Technologies (SAFET) Conference 2026, set from September 8 to 10 in Cebu.
The event will bring together world-leading expertise from the UK’s Marine Management Organisation (MMO) and the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) with on-ground operational experience from the Philippines to advance sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, responsible seafood sourcing, blue finance linked to marine protected areas, and emerging opportunities from marine energy
The partnership underscores a shared commitment between the Philippines and the United Kingdom to tackle the most pressing challenges facing the Indo-Pacific fisheries sector.
“SAFET 2026 reflects the Philippines’ commitment to building a modern fisheries sector where technology directly benefits both people and the environment. Through collaboration with global partners, we aim to accelerate practical innovations that strengthen fisheries governance, improve seafood traceability, conserve marine resources, and create better opportunities for our fisherfolk and coastal communities,” said BFAR National Director Elizer Salilig.
“We welcome our partners from around the world to join us in Cebu as we work together to turn innovation into meaningful action,” said Inga Wise, SAFET Executive Director.
“We cannot solve the complex challenges facing our oceans in silos. The SAFET Conference is a unique convergence point where market-driven technology meets government initiative. By bringing global tech innovators to the table alongside fisheries authorities, we are fostering the exact partnerships needed to build transparent, resilient seafood supply chains and secure thriving coastal livelihoods for the future,” she added.
Through SAFET 2026, BFAR and the British Embassy Manila will facilitate dialogue that includes coastal communities, technology developers, and policy-makers, ensuring that new tools are accessible, scalable, and tailored to the needs of the local fisheries sector.
“The challenges facing global fisheries require stronger partnerships and smarter solutions. SAFET 2026 provides a unique platform where governments, scientists, technology innovators, industry leaders, and fishing communities can work together to transform promising technologies into practical actions that strengthen the fisheries sector. We are proud that the Philippines is hosting this important global conversation and invite everyone to join us in shaping the future of sustainable fisheries,” said Philippine Agriculture Undersecretary for Fisheries Drusila Esther Bayate.
Advancing the Digital Shift
SAFET’s conference theme “From Innovation to Implementation: Powering Responsible Fisheries, Markets, and Livelihoods,” reflects the Philippine fisheries sector’s shift from manual processes to a comprehensive digital ecosystem.
BFAR is currently leading this transition by deploying cutting-edge tools, among them the Electronic Catch Documentation and Traceability System (eCDTS) and the Fisheries Integrated Information Management Center – Vessel Monitoring System (FIIMC-VMS).
By integrating the latest technologies such as artificial intelligence, satellite observation, and IoT-enabled monitoring, the Bureau is actively strengthening law enforcement, combatting illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and ensuring that Philippine seafood meets the highest international trade standards.
As the Philippines advances its digital transformation, SAFET 2026 reaffirms the country’s growing leadership in science-based fisheries management and its commitment to building a resilient, transparent, and prosperous future for all Filipino stakeholders. #
NEWS
Paolo and Miguel from Ben&Ben join Toyota Motor Asia’s ‘Move Your World Beat’ Campaign, bringing Filipino Music to a regional stage
9:46 p.m. September 13, 2026
Twin brothers Paolo Benjamin and Miguel Benjamin from Filipino indie folk-pop band Ben&Ben are bringing Filipino creativity to the regional spotlight as part of Toyota Motor Asia’s Move Your World Beat, a new culture initiative developed with creative partner VIRTUE Asia.
Through the campaign, the duo joins artists from across Asia in transforming everyday Toyota vehicle sounds into original musical compositions that celebrate creativity, collaboration, and cultural expression.
The campaign brings together established and emerging artists from across Asia to collaborate, experiment, and inspire the next generation to express their cultures through contemporary sound. The initiative also serves as an ongoing platform where Toyota empowers Asia’s creators to tell stories through music while celebrating both cultural heritage and innovation.
“At its heart, Move Your World is about Toyota’s commitment to the communities in Asia – the freedom to move, and the thrill and joy of moving forward together. With Move Your World Beat, we bring that same spirit to music, a universal language that unites our communities and moves us all a little closer,” shared Jaja Ishibashi, General Manager of Toyota Motor Asia. “By supporting creators and bringing different voices together, we hope to inspire new forms of expression and show that when we move together, we can create something greater than any one of us could achieve alone.”
As the Philippine representatives, Paolo and Miguel join a regional lineup of creators which includes Malaysia’s Belle Sisoski, Pakistan’s Natasha Noorani, Singapore’s Shye, Thailand’s Valentina Ploy, and Vietnam’s 2pillz. Launched through a TikTok-led creator programme, each artist will produce an original track using the sounds of a Toyota such as subtle clicks and ambient hums to engineered tones and reimagine them through their own distinct musical style.
By transforming the functional sounds of a vehicle into creative expression, the campaign highlights the idea that movement is not only physical, but also cultural and emotional. Each composition reflects the artist’s unique musical identity while contributing to a broader body of work that celebrates Asia’s diversity through a shared creative language.
The campaign will culminate later this year with the release of a regional collective beat, bringing together the musical contributions of artists from six countries into a single collaborative work that resonates across Asia.
Beyond this year’s rollout, Move Your World Beat is intended to continue as an ongoing platform, with each participating artist’s content contributing to future collaborations that celebrate creativity, community, and cultural exchange across the region.
For more information, follow Toyota Motor Philippines on Facebook, Instagram and X, and join the ToyotaPH community on Viber.
NEWS
Grab boosts ride safety for teens with ‘Grab for Family’ Feature
12:22 p.m. September 8, 2026
Grab Philippines is giving Filipino teens greater independence while helping parents stay connected to their journeys with the introduction of Grab for Family.
The feature enables teenagers aged 13–17 to book rides independently, while giving parents and guardians real-time visibility into their journeys and added safety controls throughout the trip.
The growing use of Grab Family Accounts among Filipino households points to the increasing role of shared mobility in everyday family life, with sign-ups more than doubling over the past year. Once onboarded, family members take about 70% more rides in their first month – underscoring the importance of shared access in making everyday mobility more convenient and more efficient for everyone under one roof.
With Grab for Family, parents no longer have to choose between giving their teenagers greater freedom and staying informed about their journeys. Once a teen is linked to a Family Account, parents can receive real-time trip updates, follow rides on a live map, communicate with the teen and driver, and access additional safety tools throughout the trip.
“Safety and peace of mind have always been important to how we serve families on Grab. We’re continuing to build on that by making it easier for parents to stay informed about their teens’ journeys, while giving teenagers the support and confidence to move around more independently,” said Grab Philippines Head of Mobility CJ Lacsican.
Keeping parents connected without getting in the way
At the core of Grab for Family is real-time visibility. Through Live Ride Tracking, Trip Monitoring and automated trip notifications, parents can stay informed without having to repeatedly call or message their teens during a ride.
Parents receive updates at key points of the journey, including when a driver is assigned, vehicle details are available, the passenger is picked up, the destination is reached and the trip is completed. A live map also allows parents to follow the ride as it happens.
The monitoring experience is designed to provide added visibility when a journey does not go as expected. Parents can be alerted about unexpected stops or route deviations, while the platform can also check in with the passenger through in-app prompts to help confirm that they are safe.
Built-in safeguards from pickup to drop-off![]()
“As a Grab driver-partner and a mother myself, I understand how important it is for parents to feel assured that their children are safe whenever they use ride-hailing services,” said Lisza Buscaino-Redulla, President of the United Transportation Coalition Philippines, Inc. “Many families rely on platforms like Grab for the daily commutes of their teenage children, which is why we welcome the introduction of the Family Account as an important step toward giving parents assurance that their children get to wherever they need to be safely.”
More information on Grab for Family is available through the Grab app and official website.
NEWS
DigiPlus earns 3 honors at 22nd Philippine Quill Awards
11:10 a.m. September 6, 2026
DigiPlus Interactive Corp., the country’s leading digital entertainment provider behind BingoPlus, ArenaPlus, and GameZone, earned three Awards of Excellence at the recently concluded 22nd Philippine Quill Awards for communication initiatives spanning business growth storytelling, integrated financial and sustainability reporting, and responsible gaming advocacy.
Organized by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Philippines, the Philippine Quill Awards is one of the country’s most prestigious recognition programs for business communication, honoring organizations and professionals whose work demonstrates strategic thinking, creativity, and impact.
DigiPlus received Awards of Excellence across three categories, namely Audio/Visual, Publications, and Social Media, reflecting the company’s continued commitment to purposeful and engaging communication with its stakeholders.
In the Audio/Visual category, DigiPlus’ Dating Gawi: A Celebration of Trusted and Timeless Digital Entertainment for Filipinos earned an Award of Excellence. Developed amid significant changes in the Philippine online gaming industry, the emotionally resonant short film drew on nostalgia, trust, and continuity to reassure audiences that safe, seamless, and regulated entertainment remained accessible through DigiPlus’ official platforms. Centered on the familiar invitation, “Oh ano, dating gawi?”, the campaign generated nearly 7.9 million views.
The DigiPlus 2024 Integrated Report: “Reimagining Fun, the Filipino Way,” received an Award of Excellence in the Publications category. Anchored on global reporting frameworks, the report brought together DigiPlus’ record performance, sustainability priorities, responsible gaming leadership, and climate risk assessment into a clear and engaging stakeholder narrative. Inspired by Filipino carnival classics, the report transformed corporate disclosure into a distinctly DigiPlus publication that reflects the company’s drive for innovation, Filipino identity, and commitment to responsible growth.
Another Award of Excellence recipient is DigiPlus’ entry in the Social Media category, “Ang Gaming, Dapat Fun-Fun Lang!” Responsible Gaming Campaign. The year-long social media campaign used entertaining and relatable content, including scenario skits, ambassador videos, reminders, instructional materials, and creator partnerships, to educate players and the broader public about responsible gaming and the importance of choosing regulated platforms. The campaign generated 7.3 million combined views across DigiPlus-owned and creator channels, reinforcing the company’s commitment to advancing responsible gaming in the industry.
“These recognitions affirm the important role of communication in building trust and strengthening our relationships with our stakeholders,” said DigiPlus President Ping Chen. “As DigiPlus continues to grow and evolve, we remain committed to communicating with transparency and purpose while using our platforms to promote responsible and meaningful entertainment.”
DigiPlus’ three Awards of Excellence at the 22nd Philippine Quill Awards underscore the company’s continuing efforts to use strategic communication to strengthen stakeholder engagement, champion responsible entertainment, and tell the story of its growth and transformation.

