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Maroons quench 36-year thirst for title

May 13, 2022 10: p.m.

JD Cagulangan catapulted University of the Philippines back on top of the UAAP men’s basketball after 36 long years with the game-winning triple with 0.5 seconds left, lifting the Fighting Maroons to a  72-69 overtime win over defending champion Ateneo de Manila University, Friday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Trailing by five with less than two minutes to go in extra period, JD Cagulangan made back-to-back big-time plays.

He first drained a bailout trey before utilizing a pick-and-roll with Malick Diouf for the jam, 69-69, with 39.7 seconds left.

After a Dave Ildefonso on the other end, Cagulangan took the ball, milked the clock, and pulled a step-back three-pointer for the win.

“Sobrang sarap, wala akong masabi. Champion na kami. Sobrang sarap talaga,” said Cagulangan, a native of Butuan.

This is UP’s third title in the league, winning their first title all the way back to the second season of the league and following it up 47 years later during season 49.

“I feel very happy right now,” said the soft-spoken first-year head coach of the Fighting Maroons Goldwin Monteverde. “I want to thank the UP community. I also want to thank the Lord God for this championship.”

Down by six midway through the fourth quarter, Season MVP Ange Kouame, Raffy Verano, and SJ Belangel responded for Ateneo with a 9-0 fightback to take a three-point advantage with just 56.7 seconds to go, 59-56.

However, in the ensuing play, CJ Cansino who returned to action for the first time since May 1 when he hurt his knee, buried a top of the key triple off the board to tie the game at 59 with 47.6 ticks left in the fourth.

Then absolute chaos followed with multiple loose balls and missed shots from Gerry Abadiano and SJ Belangel to force overtime.

Finals MVP Diouf finished with 17 points, nine rebounds, and three steals. He averaged 12.3 rebounds, 11.7 points, 2.7 steals, 2.0 assists, and 1.0 blocks in the series.

Cansino, meanwhile, returned with 14 points.

UP hero Cagulangan got 13 points five rebounds, four assists, and two steals.

Belangel led the Blue Eagles with 27 points on 10-of-17 shooting while Kouame tallied 12 points, 14 rebounds, four assists, and three blocks.

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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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