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Home Credit’s top-selling commodities in 2021

January 13, 2022 5:26 p.m.

As expected, the greater usage of digital payments was seen in 2021 with more and more Filipinos finally embracing safe and convenient options for their daily spending and transactions. One of the fastest growing digital service providers who surely felt this uptick in the volume of digital payments usage is Home Credit. For that year alone, they recorded more than 2 million additional users in their mobile app and more than 1.8 million who availed the online shopping feature of their consumer financing services.   

Aside from these two interesting consumer trends that they noted, the longtime leader in the buy & now pay later (BNPL) space summarizes below its top selling commodities to paint a picture of what defined 2021 for them and their customers. Now let’s break down the top items that were mostly added to your carts and checked out:  

In 2021, many people looked for items that will allow them to work and play seamlessly in the comfort of their homes. Smartphones remained to be the top commodity comprising half of the total sales in 2021 at 52%.  

With smartphones leading as the top selling item, the brands that also took the top spot are those from the mobile phone industry namely Oppo, RealMe, Vivo, Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei, and Apple – all of which performed strongly in the market. The OPPO A94 became the best-selling smartphone of the previous year, thanks to its reliable camera features that’s perfect for taking pictures or even vlogging. At an affordable price, it also has a capable gaming performance for your favorite mobile games.  

Laptop sales also doubled last year compared to the previous year and the obvious driver for this growth was brought by millions of workers and students who are still at a work-from-home or online class setup. ACER proved to be the laptop brand of choice and their Aspire line-up was a hit for users looking for a device that can get the job done when it comes to ordinary, everyday tasks but without the huge cost.   

Acer Aspire 3  

With infinite content to consume and the convenience of easily connecting streaming platforms, televisions still reign as THE device to complete the viewing experience. Consumers seemed to agree since more than a hundred thousand television units were sold last year, one of the highest next to smartphones. And their go-to brand? Pensonic LED3257 which features HD screen resolution, Android/Smart TV options and a budget-friendly price.    

Panasonic also took its rightful place in the top 10 list of best-selling brands as laundy washers, refrigerators and other home and kitchen appliances were still in-demand last year, which goes to show that consumers still find home appliances as essential items to make it easier to accomplish household tasks.  

Air conditioners also saw a 125% increase in sales during the height of the summer. A great number of shoppers definitely preferred inverter aircons because of its energy saving technology that lets you save more on monthly bills.  

Additionally, bicycle sales continue to soar with more than 50,000 units sold last year. The continuous increase in sales reflects the growing interest of Filipinos in practicing a more active lifestyle and an alternative day-to-day transportation.   

In terms of area, Cebuanos took the top spot for the highest sales at 7.1%, alongside the province of Cavite. As seen in the breakdown below, provinces dominated the list with most sales coming from Calabarzon area and a few in the North.  

These trends only show that consumers’ varied necessities or interests can be reflected in the things they purchase. Whether it’s an item that people always buy or something that the present situation calls for or demands, Home Credit – being a leader in the BNPL space – has got it all covered with a wide selection of products you can choose from, offered at 0% interest and affordable monthly installments.   

Are you thinking of getting some of these items, too? Shop now at any of Home Credit’s 9, 000+ partner retail stores or by downloading the My Home Credit App. For more information, go to www.homecreditph  

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NephroPlus Philippines strengthens nationwide presence with 50 clinics

7:09 p.m. June 27, 2026

NephroPlus Philippines announced the expansion of its nationwide network to 50 dialysis clinics, a major milestone in its mission to make quality dialysis care more accessible to Filipinos.

NephroPlus recently opened its 50th clinic in Orion, Bataan. The achievement follows the addition of eight newly acquired clinics located in Cauayan, Isabela; Laurel, Batangas; Orani, Bataan; Cagayan de Oro; Aliaga, Nueva Ecija; Kamagong, Quezon City; Bacoor, Cavite; and Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay in Mindanao. The expanded footprint strengthens the company’s ability to serve patients in high-chronic kidney disease (CKD)-prevalence areas with limited access to specialized renal healthcare services.

The expansion also aligns with the broader international growth strategy of NephroPlus, Asia’s largest dialysis provider, while contributing to the country’s pursuit of universal health coverage through infrastructure and workforce developments. The company helps create local employment opportunities for healthcare professionals, clinical staff, and admin personnel in the communities it serves.

“Reaching 50 clinics in the Philippines is a defining milestone not just for NephroPlus but for every Filipino living with kidney disease, who deserves access to world-class dialysis care closer to home. The Philippines is now our second-largest country of operations globally, a testament to the trust communities here have placed in us. Our focus remains where it has always been, on our guests, their outcomes, and their right to live normally. At NephroPlus, life can be normal even when kidneys aren’t,” said Rohit Singh, Group CEO of NephroPlus.

Altogether, NephroPlus Philippines brings a total capacity of 686, serving an estimated 2,866 patients every month.

Standardizing Quality Across a Growing Network
As NephroPlus Philippines continues its nationwide expansion, the company ensures to invest in systems and processes that enable every clinic to deliver the same standard of care to its guests everywhere.

“Consistency is crucial for a continuously expanding network like NephroPlus,” said Gowtham Arumugam, Country Head of NephroPlus Philippines. “As much as we want every Filipino to receive the world-class dialysis they deserve, we first ensure that every clinic we open meets our NephroPlus standards – care that is safe, ethical, and compassionate. This demonstrates our commitment to quality dialysis care for our guests.”

This quality is evident across the company’s operational excellence, workforce development, and digital innovation.

The company maintains a robust operational framework that includes active compliance monitoring, standardized clinical protocols, structured onboarding of newly integrated centers, regular quality audits, and continuous patient feedback mechanisms. From operations to senior leadership, direct engagement across all clinics helps strengthen accountability and ensure consistent standards of care.

Every patient at NephroPlus is referred to as a “Guest,” based on the company’s Guest Care Model, which is a commitment to safe, ethical, and patient-centered care. To support this philosophy, the company recently launched the NephroPlus Hemodialysis Training Center in Quezon City, its first-ever training facility in the country. The center develops highly skilled dialysis professionals through programs aligned with the Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Society of Nephrology, and international standards.

Complementing its investments in infrastructure and workforce development, NephroPlus is leveraging technology to enhance guest support nationwide. Earlier this year, the company launched its Guest App, a first-of-its-kind digital platform designed to support comprehensive renal care management beyond treatment sessions. Apart from appointment scheduling, guests can access a learning hub, lifestyle guidance, and a patient community network that overall support their healthcare journey.

NephroPlus Philippines’ ongoing investments in clinic expansion, professional training, and healthcare innovation are a collective effort to reinforce its global commitment: to provide every guest living with kidney disease the opportunity to live a fuller, healthier, and more meaningful life.

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Kaspersky detected more than 92,000 malware attacks disguised as AI services in 2026

2:10 p.m. June 10, 2026

From January to the beginning of May 2026, Kaspersky solutions detected more than 92,000 attacks of malware and potentially unwanted applications worldwide disguised as popular Artificial Intelligence (AI) agents and AI services.

Cybercriminals exploited trusted brands to lure victims into downloading malicious files, with fake ChatGPT applications accounting for almost half (49%) of all detected attacks, while Claude and Gemini each represented 18%. Kaspersky presented these insights at its annual flagship European conference, Kaspersky HORIZONS, in Rome on May 19.

Since the beginning of the year, Kaspersky researchers have identified more than 15,000 samples of malware masquerading as agentic AI software, including fake versions of rapidly growing tools such as OpenClaw. Among these samples were banking trojans, spyware, exploits, and malware downloaders capable of deploying additional malicious payloads.

In May 2026, Kaspersky Global Research and Analysis Team (GReAT) also uncovered a new campaign linked to the Silver Fox advanced persistent threat (APT) group. In this operation, attackers distributed fake Claude AI applications for Windows, macOS, and Linux, targeting users seeking access to AI tools. Once launched, the malicious installers silently deployed malware onto victims’ devices, enabling long-term access to compromised systems and sensitive information.

“The introduction of AI agents into enterprise environments changes the nature of trust itself. Every automated action becomes part of a wider chain of systems and data exchanges, which means security is no longer just about protecting endpoints – it is about controlling how intelligence, permissions, and decisions propagate across interconnected AI-driven processes,” explains Dmitry Galov, Head of Russia and CIS units at Kaspersky GReAT. “Users should also keep in mind that attackers are actively leveraging popular AI services as a lure to steal victims’ confidential data and funds. Taking into account the evolution of modern threat landscape, reliable security solutions are becoming an essential part of digital life.”

To protect against evolving threats, Kaspersky recommends organizations: 

  • Protect corporate infrastructure against a wide range of threats. Use solutions from the Kaspersky Next product line that provide real-time protection, threat visibility, investigation and advanced response capabilities. If a company lacks cybersecurity workers, it can adopt managed security services such as Kaspersky Managed Detection and Response (MDR) and / or Incident Response that covers the entire incident management cycle – from threat identification to continuous protection and remediation.
  • Equip your cybersecurity team with in-depth visibility into cyber threats targeting your organization. The latest Kaspersky Threat Intelligence delivers rich, contextual insights throughout the entire incident management cycle, enabling timely identification of cyber risks. AI-powered open-source intelligence search enhances your team’s ability to uncover and respond to emerging threats with greater precision.
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Honda PH expands export business through Click125

5:27 p.m. May 21, 2026

Honda Philippines Inc. (HPI), the leading motorcycle manufacturer in the Philippines, continues to expand its export operations as it officially begins exporting Click125 to N.C.X. Co., Ltd Cambodia and Laos, the exclusive manufacturer, distributor, and assembler of Honda motorcycles in the area.

The initiative marks another milestone in HPI’s commitment to bringing Philippine-made motorcycles to the global market while strengthening its presence across Southeast Asia.

The send-off ceremony, attended by HPI Executives, Management Members, and Project Leaders on May 15, 2026, celebrated the dispatch of the first batch of Click125 units bound for Cambodia and Laos. Export containers and actual motorcycle units prepared for shipment were also showcased during the event, highlighting HPI’s growing international business operations and dedication to delivering high-quality mobility products beyond the Philippines.

As one of Honda’s highest-selling motorcycle models in the country, the Click125 has become a trusted choice among riders because of its aggressive yet minimalist design, fuel-efficient engine, and advanced features suited for everyday commuting. Its reliable performance and riding comfort have made it popular among Filipino Customers, making it a strong model for export to neighboring Southeast Asian markets.

 “The Click125 export to NCX Cambodia and Laos marks another significant achievement for Honda Philippines as we bring one of the most trusted motorcycle models of Filipino riders to international markets. This milestone reflects our commitment to showcasing the quality of Philippine-made motorcycles and delivering the Joy of Mobility to more customers across the region.,” said Takeshi Kobayashi, President of Honda Philippines, Inc.

For more product information, visit www.hondaph.com. Stay updated on HPI’s newest products and promos by following Honda Philippines, Inc. on Facebook at facebook.com/hondaph, Instagram at instagram.com/hondaph_mc/, YouTube at Honda Philippines_Motorcycle, and TikTok at tiktok.com/@hondaphilippines. For inquiries, contact (02)-8581-6700 to 6799, and 0917-884-6632.

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