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First in Manila! All immersive experiences lead to SM with its 3D Whale Shark billboard, Space Tunnel, Golden Gateway, dazzling light shows

November 2, 2022 8:43 p.m.

A 3D Whale Shark Billboard, Space Tunnel, Golden Gateway and Dazzling Light shows
take over the Holidays in Manila.

3D Whale Shark


SM Supermalls celebrates not just joyful, but also fun, immersive and experiential holidays.

This year, we take you to the deep oceans with SM Megamall’s first-ever 3D Whale Shark LED billboard, see the Northern lights at the Aurora Trail of SM City North Edsa, Sparkle at the Light show and Holiday fireworks at SM Mall of Asia, enter the Golden gateway of SM Aura Premier and explore the outer space at the Mega Space Odyssey.

NORTH EDSA’S AURORA TRAIL

Aurora Walk

The illuminating lights of the Aurora Borealis is at the North this Christmas. Walk and indulge in a family friendly immersive experience at the Aurora trail ascending the giant holiday tree with a magical array of lights, forestry, rein-bears & holiday polar express.

MEGA SPACE ODYSSEY & 3D WHALE SHARK

Mega Space Odyssey

Travel to majestic galaxies in outer space and take photos and videos with your space explorer friends.

Experience the first-ever immersive 3D LED tunnel in Manila on October 21 to December 25 at the ground level Mega Fashion Hall (at the back of the Giant Christmas Tree).

SM Supermalls introduces the new 3D technology along EDSA by screening a hyper-realistic 3D Whale Shark at SM Megamall’s LED billboard.

Bringing you the first in the Philippines, High-Definition Immersive content at the heart of the bustling metropolis.

Netizens are awestruck of a larger-than-life Whale Shark peeking out of a digital billboard spanning over 2,000 square foot.

The Mega Whale Shark was first teased on April 27 but customers, tourists and motorists can catch the short preview every 15 minutes starting April 28 at peak hours from 12nn to 10pm daily.

Watch out for the new 3D content this Christmas.

The Philippines has the 2nd largest population of whale shark in the world at over 1,950.

MOA SPARKLE OF LIGHT SHOW AND HOLIDAY FIREWORKS

Sparkle of Light Show

Feel the Christmas spirit as you watch the brightest and merriest indoor Christmas tree music and lights show.

Be in awe as you watch over one hundred thousand lights set to music.

Catch the show DAILY, every hour from 10am to 10pm until end of December at the Central Atrium.

Holiday Fireworks

Enjoy the most awaited and better than ever fireworks display at the MOA Complex every Friday and Saturday from November to December 2022. Make sure to experience this magical moment with your families and loved ones.

AURA’s GOLDEN GATEWAY and NIGHTS OF DAZZLING LIGHTS

Golden Gateway

Tucked behind the giant Christmas tree is a golden gemstone-shaped immersive experience.

In partnership with global smartphone brand TECNO Mobile, technology and art meet to transport all who enter this enclosure into scenes of an opulent holiday palace and fantastical golden worlds.

Simply present P1,000 in single or collected receipts and enter a whole new world filled with glitz and glamour.

The theatrical room isn’t the only technological experience the mall has. Equally spectacular is a choreographed light and sound display at SM Aura Premier’s Skypark at Level 5.

Visitors of the Skypark enter a space with tall tree-like sculptures made of strings of lights. As they go through a forest of lights, a jaw-dropping musical show will entrance and excite them.

Visitors can stop and enjoy the choreographed audio and visual performance at 7pm on all Sunday nights of December, including December 25th itself.

NEWS

Transport communities welcome LTFRB fare adjustment, cite relief for drivers amid fuel price surges

4:46 p.m. March 20, 2026

Transport community groups welcomed the decision of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to adjust the base fares for transport network vehicle service (TNVS), calling the move a much-needed relief for transport professionals grappling with rising fuel and operating costs.

The TNVS fare structure has remained unchanged since 2019 despite the unabated hikes in oil pump prices even before the Middle East conflict erupted, and the decision by government regulators to adjust the fares upward was a recognition of the challenges confronting drivers and operators, according the TNVS sector.

“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the LTFRB and the DOTr (Department of Transportation) for heeding our long-standing call for a fair and just adjustment of the base fare,” said Walter Lugay, spokesperson of TNVS Community Philippines. “This decision is a vital recognition of the challenges faced by ordinary drivers and operators in today’s volatile economic climate.”

Lugay also acknowledged Grab’s role in helping ensure that the concerns of drivers were heard through dialogues with regulators in recent weeks. “We also recognize the leadership of Grab for their steadfast support in ensuring that our grievances reached the regulators through constructive dialogues over the past weeks.”

“This fare adjustment is more than just a price increase; it is a lifeline to ensure driver retention — preventing our members from leaving the service due to unsustainable operating costs,” he added.

Under the fare adjustments set by the LTFRB, the TNVS base fare will increase by ₱20, while the pick-up fare per kilometer will increase by ₱15. This brings the new base fares to ₱65 from ₱45 for sedans; ₱75 from ₱55 for AUVs; ₱55 from ₱35 for hatchbacks; and ₱165 from ₱145 for premium TNVS. The LTFRB said there will be no increase in the per-kilometer and per-minute travel time charges for TNVS.

At the same time, the group emphasized that easing these financial burdens will also help ensure that vehicles remain roadworthy and safe for passengers, while supporting the continued delivery of reliable service to the riding public.

“By addressing these financial burdens, we can help ensure that our vehicles remain in top condition for the safety of our passengers,” Lugay added. “We remain committed to providing safe, reliable, and high-quality service, serving as partners with the government and the public in keeping our transport system stable and dependable.”

According to the United Transportation Coalition Philippines, Inc. (UTCP), the LTFRB’s decision reflects government recognition of the challenges all transport workers across sectors deal with every day.

“We thank the LTFRB for listening to the appeals raised by our coalition through a series of dialogues,” said Lisza Buscaino-Redulla, president of UTCP. 

“It means a great deal to our sector that the government saw and heard our concerns—from our call for immediate assistance to our appeal for a fair increase in the base fare—especially amid the mega oil price hikes that continue to weigh heavily on the livelihoods of drivers,” she added.

The coalition also said it will continue to monitor market developments and their impact on transport professionals nationwide, while sustaining its engagement with relevant government agencies.

“We will continue to monitor market movements and their effects on transport professionals across the country,” Buscaino-Redulla said. “At the same time, we remain open and proactive in engaging the relevant government agencies to help ensure that every measure responds to the real conditions on the road and helps sustain a fair and humane livelihood for every driver.”

The LTFRB earlier announced fare adjustments across multiple land public transport modes, citing the need to balance commuter welfare with the viability of the transport sector amid extraordinary increases in fuel, maintenance, and operational costs. 

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NEWS

Transport communities welcome LTFRB fare adjustment, cite relief for drivers amid fuel price surges

5:11 p.m. March 20, 2026

Transport community groups welcomed the decision of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to adjust the base fares for transport network vehicle service (TNVS), calling the move a much-needed relief for transport professionals grappling with rising fuel and operating costs.

The TNVS fare structure has remained unchanged since 2019 despite the unabated hikes in oil pump prices even before the Middle East conflict erupted, and the decision by government regulators to adjust the fares upward was a recognition of the challenges confronting drivers and operators, according the TNVS sector.

“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the LTFRB and the DOTr (Department of Transportation) for heeding our long-standing call for a fair and just adjustment of the base fare,” said Walter Lugay, spokesperson of TNVS Community Philippines. “This decision is a vital recognition of the challenges faced by ordinary drivers and operators in today’s volatile economic climate.”

Lugay also acknowledged Grab’s role in helping ensure that the concerns of drivers were heard through dialogues with regulators in recent weeks. “We also recognize the leadership of Grab for their steadfast support in ensuring that our grievances reached the regulators through constructive dialogues over the past weeks.”

“This fare adjustment is more than just a price increase; it is a lifeline to ensure driver retention — preventing our members from leaving the service due to unsustainable operating costs,” he added.

Under the fare adjustments set by the LTFRB, the TNVS base fare will increase by ₱20, while the pick-up fare per kilometer will increase by ₱15. This brings the new base fares to ₱65 from ₱45 for sedans; ₱75 from ₱55 for AUVs; ₱55 from ₱35 for hatchbacks; and ₱165 from ₱145 for premium TNVS. The LTFRB said there will be no increase in the per-kilometer and per-minute travel time charges for TNVS.

At the same time, the group emphasized that easing these financial burdens will also help ensure that vehicles remain roadworthy and safe for passengers, while supporting the continued delivery of reliable service to the riding public.

“By addressing these financial burdens, we can help ensure that our vehicles remain in top condition for the safety of our passengers,” Lugay added. “We remain committed to providing safe, reliable, and high-quality service, serving as partners with the government and the public in keeping our transport system stable and dependable.”

According to the United Transportation Coalition Philippines, Inc. (UTCP), the LTFRB’s decision reflects government recognition of the challenges all transport workers across sectors deal with every day.

“We thank the LTFRB for listening to the appeals raised by our coalition through a series of dialogues,” said Lisza Buscaino-Redulla, president of UTCP. 

“It means a great deal to our sector that the government saw and heard our concerns—from our call for immediate assistance to our appeal for a fair increase in the base fare—especially amid the mega oil price hikes that continue to weigh heavily on the livelihoods of drivers,” she added.

The coalition also said it will continue to monitor market developments and their impact on transport professionals nationwide, while sustaining its engagement with relevant government agencies.

“We will continue to monitor market movements and their effects on transport professionals across the country,” Buscaino-Redulla said. “At the same time, we remain open and proactive in engaging the relevant government agencies to help ensure that every measure responds to the real conditions on the road and helps sustain a fair and humane livelihood for every driver.”

The LTFRB earlier announced fare adjustments across multiple land public transport modes, citing the need to balance commuter welfare with the viability of the transport sector amid extraordinary increases in fuel, maintenance, and operational costs. #

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NEWS

Visa, GoTyme Bank launch pact to fly PH fans to FIFA World Cup 2026

6:30 p.m. March 19, 2026

VISA has officially teamed up with GoTyme Bank for the FIFA World Cup 2026™, marking a defining moment in the journey of the fastest-growing bank in the Philippines. 

The partnership marks GoTyme Bank’s growing presence on the global stage, bringing Filipino fans closer than ever to the world’s most-watched sporting event and delivering unforgettable experiences on and off the pitch.

With more than 9 million customers in the Philippines and over 20 million worldwide, GoTyme Bank has rapidly grown into the country’s fastest-growing bank, expanding access to everyday financial services while connecting Filipinos to opportunities beyond the country.

“This partnership marks an important step forward for GoTyme Bank. Working alongside Visa in connection with the FIFA World Cup 2026™ reflects the ambition we have for our customers and for the country.” says GoTyme Bank CEO Nate Clarke.

“Visa and FIFA have a long, shared history of promoting football culture and celebrating football talent through the power of payments. We are committed to connecting fans to the moments that matter most, and the FIFA World Cup 2026™ is one of the world’s most anticipated sporting events. We are amplifying this partnership through the collaboration with GoTyme Bank, reflecting our shared goal of expanding access and enabling more Filipinos to participate in the global football experience. Together, we are enabling secure and seamless digital payments to unlock meaningful opportunities for cardholders across the Philippines,” said Jeffrey Navarro, Visa’s Country Manager for the Philippines. 

Step into the beautiful game: Experience the thrilling FIFA World Cup 2026™ with Visa and GoTyme Bank

The FIFA World Cup 2026™ is expected to be one of the most widely watched sporting events in history. Hosted across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, the tournament will feature a record-breaking 48 teams competing in 104 matches. FIFA projects that billions of viewers around the world will tune in via broadcast and streaming, potentially setting new global viewership records. 

The tournament will kick off on June 11, 2026, and conclude with the final on July 19, 2026, in New York/New Jersey, drawing millions of fans to stadiums and fan events across North America.

For many Filipino fans, the FIFA World Cup™ is a global spectacle they passionately follow but rarely have the chance to experience firsthand. 

Through Visa’s partnership with GoTyme Bank for the FIFA World Cup 2026™, this is set to change. GoTyme Bank cardholders who use their GoTyme Bank Visa Debit Card will have the opportunity to experience the tournament live, marking a significant milestone for the bank as it aligns itself with one of the world’s most recognized sporting events and expands its presence on the global stage. 

Fly to the FIFA World Cup 2026™: Spend and win big with GoTyme Bank limited-edition Visa cards

As part of its official partnership with Visa for the FIFA World Cup 2026™, GoTyme Bank is launching a series of limited-edition GoTyme Bank Visa Debit Cards featuring the tournament’s iconic trophy. Available in Pitch Black and Trophy Gold, these GoTyme Bank Visa Debit Cards will showcase FIFA World Cup 2026™ imagery created by Filipino artist Ross Du, bringing a distinct local touch to the global tournament. These cards will be available nationwide through GoTyme Bank kiosks beginning March 23.

Cardholders, whether using the Classic GoTyme Bank Visa Debit Card, the Pitch Black edition, or the ultra-exclusive Trophy Gold, will earn raffle entries toward the promo, giving them a chance to win an all expenses paid trip to the FIFA World Cup 2026™ in the United States, courtesy of Visa.

For the Classic and Pitch Black cards, every minimum spend of PHP1,000 earns one raffle entry. Overseas spending comes with a 3x multiplier, meaning every PHP1,000 equivalent spent abroad counts as three raffle entries, increasing customers’ chances of winning. One Classic cardholder and one Pitch Black cardholder will each win an all-expense-paid trip for two to attend the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Group Stage in Los Angeles, including roundtrip business class tickets.

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