NEWS
Pokémon Battle Festival Asia 2021 challenges idol groups, regional influencers

December 15, 2021 7:33 p.m.
The Pokémon Company, together with ESL Gaming Asia, announced a special tournament showcase featuring idols from JKT48, BNK48, MNL48 and CGM48 and special invitationals for influencers of various regions to battle it out!
Pokémon UNITE AKB48 Group Invitational
The Pokémon UNITE AKB48 Group Invitational will feature idols from the popular AKB48 group, mainly JKT48 from Jakarta, BNK48 from Bangkok, MNL48 from Manila, and CGM48 from Chiang Mai. Fourteen teams have been formed in total. Groups with more than 2 teams will compete in an internal qualifier.
The top 2 teams from each 48 Groups will be the representatives in the Group Stage on January 8 and 9, 2022. The Playoffs will be held on January 16, 2022. Fans can look forward to cheering for their favorite idols as the Group Stage and Playoffs will be broadcasted live.
Regional influencers battle it out in special invitationals
Popular influencers from across the region will battle it out on various popular Pokémon games happening from December 2021 till February 2022. Here are some important dates: Pokémon Trading Card Game Invitational on January 22, 2022, and Pokémon UNITE Invitational on February 5, 2022.
Don’t miss all the action from the following influencers: 蔥蔥 ChungChung, Deer 鹿兒, Kisabbb, KZee, 馬馬 Rose Ma from Hong Kong; AK Gaming, Alpats Gaming, Gilang FA GAME, Lynnda from Indonesia; Bexed, Cometopapa, MasterRamen, MissRose Gaming, Obot Gaming, Vokey Gaming from Malaysia; Arthars, Nadia, Sean, SynC, SkyWee from Singapore; 小潔_Mina from Taiwan; Attempt Z, HotHead – เกมเมอร์หัวร้อน, JAI RAW ใจร้าว, Jz O.racle, Online Station from Thailand; and Alodia Gosiengfiao, Dexie Diaz, Elie Gaming, Lhea Bernardino, Moymoy Palaboy from the Philippines. More influencers to be announced!
Pokémon Battle Festival Asia Highlight Show & Giveaway
The Highlight Shows uploaded on YouTube will bring fans the latest Pokémon Battle Festival Asia news. Join the cast of international hosts such as Markki Stroem, Danelie, Tashbunny, SHINN, LoDay and Pierre Liu.
For fans who watch the Highlight Show, there are many giveaways in store. In the first giveaway, fans who make a TikTok video of themselves watching the Pokémon Battle Festival Asia Highlight Show and mention who their favorite Pokémon from the Pokémon Diamond & Pearl Animation Series, can stand a chance to win a Nintendo Switch™ and Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl. Fans can watch Episode 1 at https://youtu.be/X_NIzXbtYU0
Stay tuned to the Highlight Show so they won’t miss future giveaways! For different regions, giveaways may vary.
For more information on Pokémon Battle Festival Asia, please visit: https://pokemonbattlefest.com/
Pokémon UNITE announces new content for players
On December 9, Remoat Stadium changed into a wintery look, holiday holowear and much more will also be available soon.
New Pokémon’s participation
Tsareena and Dragonite joined the UNITE Battle on December 9 and on December 20, respectively! Also, players who log in between December 9 (after the update) and January 1, 2022, 9 a.m. will receive a free UNITE License for Tsareena.
New look of Remoat Stadium
Starting December 9, the Remoat Stadium had a fresh new look and different wild Pokémons will change as well. Articuno made an appearance at the Legend Pit. Get ready for a hot UNITE Battle amidst the ice and snow!
Special UNITE Battle in Shivre City
From December 15 to January 16, 2022, trainers will be able to play “Snow Battle” at Shivre City. In this special UNITE Battle, Delibird will appear as a wild Pokémon carrying a present. At the start of the battle, trainers will not be able to choose a battle item. However, when a Delibird comes along and drops a present, trainers will be able to temporarily use one out of nine powerful special battle items at random. So, trainers, use those wisely to win your battles!
All Pokémon Trials Period
From January 1, 2022 at 8 a.m. until January 4, 2022 at 8 a.m., all Pokémon Trial Licenses will be valid for use, and all Pokémon, including the new Tsareena and Dragonite, will be playable in Standard and Quick Matches.
Holiday-style holowear
The holiday-style holowear for Pikachu, Dragonite, Blastoise, Mamoswine, Garchomp, and Gardevoir together with Crustle’s cake-style holowear that looks like a Christmas cake will be available.
Light Up Challenge
From December 15 to January 16, 2022, trainers who complete daily missions and challenge missions not only get items, but also “Ray” too! Trainers will be able to collect holiday items depending on the amount of “Ray” gathered.
Special Gifts
From December 24 to January 1, 2022, players will receive a daily gift. Moreover, if players log in during a certain period, they can choose several items out of the special gifts.
Photo Challenge
From December 24 to January 6, 2022, players will receive a “Snowflake” everytime they participate in a UNITE Battle. Collecting “Snowflakes” will reveal the hidden silhouettes in the photo and give players holiday items. Players should collect as many “Snowflakes” they can to complete their photo!
NEWS
Motolite cranks up sustainability drive with use of e-bikes for delivery

10:12 p.m. January 22, 2025
Motolite, the country’s leading, most trusted battery brand and leader in technology and product innovation, shifted its sustainability drive to a higher gear as it started deploying to key outlets eco-friendly e-bikes for the delivery of batteries to customers.
These e-bikes will now be part of the delivery fleet of Motolite Express Hatid (MEH) hubs and will be used by well-trained technicians in providing services to motorists.
The deployment of e-bikes started last November 28, with the MEH Maceda Hub and Cebu Hub receiving the initial batches of three units each. The MEH hubs in Mindanao Avenue, Las Pinas, Mandaluyong, Katipunan, and Pasong Tamo are also included in the project’s pilot phase.
E-bikes produce zero emissions, making them a more environment-friendly option for delivery. They help reduce air pollution and have three times less carbon footprints than conventional vehicles.
E-bikes also do not contribute to noise pollution and are lighter and easier to navigate than regular motorcycles, especially on busy metropolitan roads. Their speed is also comparable to conventional gas-powered motorcycles.
The deployment of e-bikes for delivery is part of Motolite’s heightened sustainability campaign, which also includes programs for the recovery and recycling of used lead acid batteries (ULAB) and the mounting of solar panels on the rooftops of its retail, warehousing, and production facilities.
Motolite’s battery production plants in Bulacan alone have an installed photovoltaic system capacity of 7,472 kWp, cutting its carbon footprint by 2,346 tons of CO2.
Both the solar panels and e-bikes are being supplied by Greener Solar Power and Electric Motor, Inc. (GEMI), a rising player in the country’s green energy sector.
Motolite’s ULAB recovery and recycling program, meanwhile, significantly reduced its dependence on fresh plastic resins and newly mined lead for its battery production.
“We are looking for every opportunity to contribute to the global effort to limit climate change. We are the only battery brand that takes its sustainability drive seriously, from manufacturing to retail and delivery,” Richard A. Chan, Motolite Vice President for Sales and Marketing, shared.
Aside from its free battery delivery 24/7 nationwide, Motolite also provides services to motorists such as emergency refueling, jumpstarting a dead battery, assisting with overheating, and changing a flat tire via the Motolite Res-Q App.
NEWS
The story on how EJ Obiena vaulted over controversy

6:57 a.m. January 17, 2025

The Philippines’ top pole vaulter and Olympian EJ Obiena faced a challenging moment when he became the subject of a controversial accusation last October, 2023.
However, the 29-year-old athlete demonstrated grace under pressure, addressing the claims with professionalism and composure. His dignified response not only refuted the allegations, but also earned widespread praise. Ultimately, the accuser issued a public apology, acknowledging the false nature of the claims against him.
Behind the scenes, Obiena’s coach and mentor, James Michael “Jim” Lafferty, played a vital role in guiding the athlete through the ordeal.
Lafferty, a seasoned executive coach and motivational speaker, provided strategic PR and crisis management support to help Obiena navigate the situation effectively. Known for his dedication to nurturing athletic talent, Lafferty has also mentored other Filipino Olympians, including long jumper Marestella Torres-Sunang.

“Whilst I have long stated that EJ Obiena is a world-class athlete, yet an even better human being, he, like all celebrities, has been unfairly embroiled in various controversies,” Lafferty recalled.
He highlighted Obiena’s remarkable ability to overcome challenges, including handling multiple crises over the years.
Despite these hurdles, Obiena rose to become the world’s No. 2 pole vaulter, Asia’s top pole vaulter, a member of the six-meter club, and now a two-time Olympian.
Recognizing a broader need for expert crisis management among businesses and public figures, Lafferty, who also serves as the Chairman of Katapult, one of the country’s leading end-to-end marketing solutions providers, took action.
“Sensing the need to better serve EJ and other clients, Katapult has established a new PR and Crisis Management division as of January 1,” Lafferty said.
Lafferty is collaborating with Media Head Anika Basa and Data Analytics Head David Rosario to ensure the seamless integration of services.
The launch of this division underscores Katapult’s commitment to help clients navigate challenges, while safeguarding their reputations and achieving sustainable growth.
Lafferty’s leadership experience spans over three decades, during which he has held CEO roles at multinational companies such as Procter & Gamble, Coca-Cola, British American Tobacco, and Fine Hygienic Holding. His proven track record of driving success across industries makes him exceptionally qualified to lead Katapult’s PR and Crisis Management division.
CEO Francis Uy highlighted Katapult’s comprehensive approach: “Katapult was born as a digital-first company with a sniper-shotgun strategy—combining precision targeting of specific consumer personas with broad-reaching campaigns that maximize impact. By leveraging insights from our AI-powered platform, we not only drive marketing success but also provide a robust safety net for brands navigating crises. With our expanded services, including PR and crisis management, we ensure our clients’ reputations are protected and their stories resonate in even the most challenging situations.”
Rosario’s team enables hyper-precise consumer targeting, fostering authentic campaigns and lasting connections.
Together with Basa’s team, they seamlessly execute the Sniper-Shotgun Approach—combining the wide-reaching impact of a shotgun with the pinpoint precision of a sniper rifle to deliver tailored ads that drive maximum impact.
Discover how Katapult can help safeguard your brand’s reputation and lead you through any crisis with precision and expertise. Reach out today to learn how we can support your brand’s continued growth, no matter the challenges ahead.
Check us out at katapultdigital.com.
NEWS
Agoda: Cebu is tourist favorite to welcome ‘The Year of the Snake’

10:30 a.m. January 13, 2025
As the Lunar New Year approaches, digital travel platform Agoda unveils Cebu to be the most sought-after destination for international visitors celebrating the start of ‘The Year of the Snake’ in the Philippines. Agoda further reports that, based on accommodation searches made on the platform, Manila is the top-searched domestic destination, with Hong Kong being the most popular among Filipino travelers looking to spend the Lunar New Year holiday abroad.
International travelers are increasingly looking to the Philippines as a Lunar New Year destination, with accommodation searches growing 19% compared to the previous year. The archipelago draws the most visitors from South Korea, United States and mainland China. Cebu, with its world-renowned beaches, marine life, and cultural heritage continues to charm as the top destination for international travelers during the holiday period, with accommodation searches rising 15% from last year.
Domestic travel during the Lunar New Year holiday is also increasingly popular in the Philippines as witnessed by a 52% rise in accommodation searches on Agoda. The most popular destination for domestic travel is Manila, with a nearly 50% increase in searches compared to last year. The capital is a favorite among Filipinos looking to usher in the Lunar New Year in what is said to be one of the oldest Chinatowns in the world, featuring traditional dances, lantern-lined streets and festive fare.
For Filipinos looking to celebrate ‘The Year of the Snake’ abroad, Hong Kong slithers into the lead with a 120% growth in accommodation searches compared to the previous year, overtaking Tokyo. With its impressive skylines and melting pot of cultures, Hong Kong offers an exciting array of festivities including fireworks, parades and performances to usher in a prosperous new year. Overall, outbound accommodation searches increased by 67%, indicating Filipino travelers’ growing desire to spend the holiday period abroad.
Mike Hwang, Country Director, Philippines at Agoda said, “The Lunar New Year holiday is one of Asia’s most popular travel periods and it’s great to see growing interest in the Philippines from international and domestic travelers alike. Cities like Cebu and Manila showcase the wonderful diversity of experiences in the Philippines, from stunning island escapes to cultural festivities in the heart of the capital city. Whether celebrating the new year from the Philippines or traveling abroad, Agoda offers travelers great deals on flights, accommodations and activities to usher in the Year of the Snake.”
The Lunar New Year holiday marks new beginnings and the arrival of Spring, making it a significant travel period as people look to reunite with family and friends. ‘The Year of the Snake’ symbolizes rebirth and transformation and is said to present an auspicious opportunity for embracing self-discovery and exploring new horizons. Known for their association with good fortune, snakes inspire travelers to shed the old and welcome the new — whether by rediscovering familiar places or venturing abroad during this festive season.
Looking at the combined preferences for Asian travelers, Japanese cities in particular emerged as favorites for the Lunar New Year holiday, with Tokyo taking the crown followed by Bangkok (Thailand), Osaka (Japan), Fukuoka (Japan), and Seoul (South Korea).
As travelers prepare to shed the old and embrace the new, Agoda offers exceptional deals for their Lunar New Year holiday on over 4.5 million holiday properties, more than 130,000 flight routes, and over 300,000 activities and experiences that are available on the platform. The latest deals are available in the Agoda app or on agoda.com/deals.