Facebook Instagram Linkedin X Youtube
Home Blog Page 1071

Tech-driven perils reshape Philippine banking landscape

STOCK PHOTO | Image by jannoon028 from Freepik

DIGITALIZATION has changed the way Philippine banks do business, and the coronavirus pandemic helped speed up the online shift even among customers, pushing preference for real-time payments as a matter of convenience.

But the move towards the digital space has also forced them to go beyond traditional communication methods and customer service channels and tap social media to engage with current and potential future clients.

The 2025 Global Digital Report by consumer intelligence firm Meltwater and creative agency We Are Social said that Filipinos spend an average of eight hours and 52 minutes daily on the internet, ranking third worldwide and well ahead of the global average of six hours and 38 minutes.

Filipino internet users aged 16 and above also ranked fourth globally in terms of social media usage, spending an average of three hours and 32 minutes on social media daily, the report also showed.

For the banking industry, which is in the business of handling other people’s money, reputation is a key currency — and with the way social media platforms are built, one isolated incident or complaint can spread like wildfire in a matter of minutes and cause problems for these institutions.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is well aware of the double-edged nature of social media. In 2021, it released rules on reputational risks, requiring all its supervised financial institutions to immediately report any incidents that could potentially impact their financial standing and affect stakeholder confidence.

This includes any issues raised on social media platforms that may affect its stakeholders and “lead to a full-blown crisis if not responded to in a timely and effective manner,” the BSP added.

“The business of banking is based on trust and confidence. And you know how trust and confidence can be eroded. Let’s say, you publicize in social media that this bank was hacked. This bank was victim of a major security breach,” BSP Deputy Governor for the Corporate Services Sector Elmore O. Capule said in a recent interview.

“In banking, your reputation is everything. So, unlike before, it escalates over a period of time. Before, there was panic. Now, because of social media, practically, it’s instantaneous. Whenever we see, let’s say, there’s news that this bank was victimized, in a matter of few hours, if you’re monitoring social media, its expansion is geometric.”

Mr. Capule said this puts banks in a tight spot as the real-time nature of social media requires them to respond immediately.

“Unlike before, if something happens, the calibration time is longer to make a response. Now, it’s practically real-time. So, in order to protect their reputation, they have to be able to respond very fast. And in banking, reputation is everything. So, it’s a challenge,” he said.

“But for me, in banking, that’s a drawback. Because in banking, there has to be a response. Now if you start reducing the response time, then the effectiveness of our tools to prevent panic, et cetera, is severely degraded. Let’s say, there’s panic. By morning, there’s a bank run… So, how do we react? It degrades that reaction time. For me, that’s the major issue.”

With the rise of digital banking platforms, a social media-driven bank run can happen in a matter of hours as customers can withdraw their funds instantly.

“Imagine, in a traditional bank, we have panic. What do I do? I run to the branch, fall in line. If you’re a digital bank, or digital electronic transfers, I can do the withdrawals at midnight. It changes the equation,” Mr. Capule said.

“That’s the challenge, right? How fast can you respond to the depositors for them to calm down?… If a banking crisis will happen now, how fast can the bank respond and the government respond?”

Bankers Association of the Philippines (BAP) President and Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) President and Chief Executive Officer Teodoro K. Limcaoco shared the same concern, noting that misinformation and disinformation is easier than ever to spread via social media platforms.

“There’s the ability of information to spread faster than it normally would. It’s a negative because you need to correct misinformation. You have to correct things that are not quite accurate. You have to get to that faster than ever before. And social media is just so pervasive. Unlike before when it was traditional media, if there was something misprinted by mistake, it’s easy to go to one person and correct it. Social media, let’s say someone comes up with a wrong fact or puts up a wrong card and it spreads, even if you correct that card, it’s gone beyond it,” Mr. Limcaoco said.

On the flip side, social media is also a convenient tool for banks to reach a wider audience — whether it’s to promote their products and services, respond to concerns, or warn them of emerging threats.

“Social media seems to be one of the main channels that people receive information. So, for banks, whether it’s BPI or any responsible bank, we do use social media to educate our clients and to market our products,” Mr. Limcaoco said.

“When things like Facebook and social media were just beginning, a lot of the big companies actually paid very little attention to it. Traditional media was still the main way of communicating. Today, I think there’s an equal emphasis on traditional media and social media.”

On BPI’s part, Mr. Limcaoco said the bank uses various social media platforms and forms of content to appeal to different kinds of audiences, making sure to be both informational and entertaining to make even just the idea of financial services more accessible.

“It’s hard. It’s really trying to reach people and make sure they have the willingness to learn as well. We’re out there, BPI, the BAP, all the member banks, we all have some program on financial literacy. It’s just getting the people to accept it because it does take time. Would you go to school for financial literacy? Let’s say we wanted everyone to do cooking — some people just don’t see the interest,” he said.

“Many people don’t understand the need for financial literacy… It’s just a matter of people being willing to learn and seeing the need to learn.”

FINANCIAL SCAMS
Improving financial literacy has become especially important in the digital age, which has given rise to the proliferation of scams via online channels, highlighting growing cybersecurity risks in the industry.

The BSP earlier said that its supervised financial institutions lost P5.82 billion from cyberattacks in 2024, up 2.6% from the previous year. Top cybersecurity risks faced by the industry include phishing, “card-not-present” fraud, account takeover or identity fraud, and hacking.

A survey released by global analytics software firm FICO in May 2024 showed that Filipinos are most concerned about falling for financial scams amid the surge in real-time payments, with 35% of respondents saying their top worry is the risk of being tricked into sending money to criminals.

Meanwhile, concerns about identity theft also persist among Filipino respondents, with over 23% citing it as their top financial crime concern. This was followed by having a bank account taken over by a fraudster (16%), their credit or debit card being stolen and used (13%), their cash being stolen (8%), and fake online retailers and fake advertisement tricking them into buying goods that never arrive (6%).

Sumsub Asia-Pacific Vice-President Penny Chai said one of the most prominent types of fraud driven by social media is romance scams.

“Romance scams often start on social media, dating apps, or chat platforms, where fraudsters can create believable profiles, sometimes using deepfake photos or videos to appear real. Once trust is built, the fraudster can create an elaborate story, like a sudden medical emergency, to extract money from a smitten victim fast,” Ms. Chai said. “Romance scams alone are already incredibly damaging but what’s more troubling is that they are increasingly part of larger, organized fraud networks… Such incidents highlight how the issue is not just limited to financial crime but part of a larger problem of human exploitation.”

“Social media has also made it easier for criminals to recruit money mules, especially young adults and students. Targeted online with false promises of easy cash, they are tricked into handing over their bank or credit card accounts to be used for laundering illicit funds,” she added.

The growth of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies has also resulted in increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks, with fraudsters now using bots to scrape data from various sources to build fake identities, Ms. Chai said.

Laws like the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act (AFASA), which was signed in 2024 and implemented earlier this year, aim to address the increase in cybercrime involving financial institutions.

Prohibited acts or offenses under the AFASA include money mule activities and social engineering schemes, mass mailers, or human trafficking, as well as other offenses such as opening a financial account under a fictitious name or using the identity or identification documents of another person.

Under the implementing rules of the AFASA released by the BSP, banks are allowed to temporarily hold funds which are the subject of disputed transactions for acts prohibited under the law.

“I think AFASA is a major step towards fighting cybercrime… AFASA gives us the leeway and gives the ability for customers to report quickly to the bank and puts the responsibility of the bank to act on it quickly. It gives us the ability to go to the recipient bank, meaning the bank of the scammer, and try to hold those funds and try to retrieve them. So, AFASA gives us some rights that we didn’t have before. And therefore, we just have to figure out how to operationalize it,” Mr. Limcaoco said.

“The problem with cybercrime is the money gets in and then gets pulled out right away. So, AFASA gives the receiving bank the ability to hold the money first. It doesn’t have to return it, but you hold it, so it doesn’t get lost. That’s a major step that as the receiving bank, I can hold it. If I think it’s suspicious, I can hold it, and without any fear, because it’s part of the law.”

KEEPING UP WITH DIGITALIZATION
As technologies continue to evolve, Philippine banks need to keep up to reap the benefits of digitalization while guarding against the accompanying risks at the same time.

BSP’s Mr. Capule said their risk management regulations require banks to put in place systems to protect themselves and their customers from potential threats, including those stemming from the use of social media and the industry’s ongoing digital shift.

Moody’s said they expect more Philippine banks to adopt AI solutions to comply with regulatory requirements.

“Like their global counterparts, Philippine banks are increasingly adopting AI — particularly machine learning — for fraud detection and transaction monitoring. These tools help flag suspicious activities, enhance customer due diligence and analyze historical transaction data to combat digital banking scams and identity fraud. However, adoption remains in the early to mid-stages, with most efforts focused on pilot projects in fraud detection and basic automation,” it said in an e-mail.

“In addition, banks face unique challenges. With over 14 types of acceptable identity documents in the Philippines, establishing a single authoritative identity source is difficult and complicates fraud detection. The prevalence of money mules — where account holders collude with bad actors — also makes traditional rule-based detection ineffective. These complexities make AI adoption essential.”

However, operational, structural, and regulatory issues continue to hinder widespread AI adoption in the Philippines, it said.

“Globally, governance is still catching up with the rapid evolution of GenAI (generative AI). To navigate these complexities, banks need multi-disciplinary teams spanning technology, governance, ethics, business and data science. Agility is key,” Moody’s said.

It added that banks should be strategic about their AI and technology investments to unlock these solutions’ full potential.

“Banks must be clear about when to build and when to buy, and budget accordingly. While GenAI proofs of concept can be created quickly, the final stages — evaluation, guardrails and testing — are where challenges can surface. As regulated entities, banks require deterministic outcomes (where an exact input must equate to an exact output), but GenAI’s probabilistic nature makes this challenging. Bridging this gap requires partnering with established organizations that have invested resources in solving these problems,” Moody’s said.

“Well-targeted tech investments can significantly boost banks’ performance. Those that invest in AI and digital tools can benefit from faster credit decision-making, better fraud prevention and deeper customer engagement, which improve efficiency and trust. Enhanced data capabilities also support financial inclusion by enabling banks to better serve underbanked populations… In a market with a saturated banked population and many underbanked individuals, AI is a key differentiator. Banks that embrace it will be better positioned to compete and grow.”

To help combat financial fraud, Sumsub’s Ms. Chai said Philippine banks should adopt a multi-layered approach that is adaptive as these threats also continuously evolve.

“As fraud becomes more organized, scalable, and sophisticated, with tactics like deepfakes, synthetic identities, and organized fraud networks, relying on a single point of defense like OTP (one-time password), is no longer viable. Replacing OTP with biometric authentication is becoming a critical layer of protection, offering stronger identity assurance and reducing friction for users,” she said.

“What’s needed is a multi-layered approach that looks at the bigger picture. It’s not just about verifying someone once but about understanding how users behave over time, spotting patterns by ongoing monitoring, and being able to act quickly when something feels off. This is especially important since most fraud (76%) happens after the KYC (know your customer) process.”

Having these measures in place will help build Filipinos’ trust in the digital economy and make them less vulnerable to fraud, Ms. Chai added.

The AFASA’s implementing rules require banks to have a fraud management system for monitoring and flagging suspicious and fraudulent transactions.

Mr. Capule acknowledged that these systems can be expensive. “But that’s the cost of doing business,” he said.

All in all, these regulations will help ensure the stability of the Philippine financial system as the industry continues to evolve — and even with the threat of technology-driven bank runs, Mr. Capule said.

“Definitely, we have a lot of systems in place… But of course, we haven’t tested it yet. Thankfully, not yet. We’re looking at when we’ll have a major bank run… So, hopefully, the system is in place. But of course, if it happens, it’s the first time we’ll see it.” — Aaron Michael C. Sy

Filipino startups are closing the healthcare gap

Freepik

By Jomarc Angelo M. Corpuz, Special Features and Content Writer

The Philippines has been trying to become a healthier nation by democratizing healthcare through inclusivity and innovation.

As a potential catalyst for change that can benefit millions of Filipinos, the digital health industry in the country is projected to reach almost $1 billion in value by the end of the year, according to online statistics firm Statista. The sector is thriving due to a multitude of reasons, including rising internet and smartphone penetration, local startups harnessing telemedicine, AI, digital platforms, and innovative procurement tools that address accessibility issues.

This surge in digital transformation has given rise to a new generation of healthtech startups that are now allowing the Philippine healthcare system to catch up with the rest of the world. These budding enterprises range from telemedicine platforms that bring doctors to patients’ screens to AI-powered procurement systems that streamline medical supply chains, each of them making the Philippines a little healthier per transaction.

Mediclick, founded in 2020, brands itself as a modern online pharmacy where customers can find high-quality healthcare products and solutions that cater to their needs. With their “meds made easy” feature, Filipinos can conveniently order their medications from home, with same-day delivery that allows patients to quickly begin their recovery without delay. At the startup, they believe that quality healthcare should be accessible to all, which is why the company provided a platform that’s simple, seamless, and easy to use. By bridging the gap between patients and providers, especially for those needing consistent medical support, Mediclick exemplifies how digital tools can enhance continuity of care and convenience.

Another thriving healthtech startup in the Philippines is digital health platform Hive Health. The company offers health maintenance organization (HMO) plans tailored for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and startups, covering outpatient, inpatient, emergency, and dental services. It also provides business owners and human resources (HR) managers with a dedicated dashboard that simplifies tasks like employee onboarding, offboarding, and invoicing. Co-founded at Harvard and Stanford by Camille Ang and Jiawen Tang, this award-winning startup is revolutionizing access to quality, affordable healthcare for millions of Filipinos, one SME at a time.

Matching these budding enterprises is Kindred Health, Inc., founded in 2021 and backed by Pulse 63 Healthcare Ventures. The company is pioneering an integrated ecosystem of women’s health services, as their mantra goes, “comprehensive women’s healthcare designed by women, for women.” Kindred Health offers a variety of services focusing on women’s health, including protection against cervical cancer, understanding reproductive health, as well as easing stress and anxiety.

Beginning its journey as part of the AIM-DBI’s startup accelerator program, SeeYouDoc has since expanded to become a pioneer of telemedicine in the country. The company is a comprehensive healthcare platform that delivers telemedicine solutions for medical professionals and offers a marketplace of healthcare services tailored for patients in the Philippines. Founded in 2018, the startup has made an impact in the lives of Filipinos through projects and collaborations with local and international organizations, including the government through the Department of Health (DoH), the Department of Science and Technology (DoST), the World Health Organization (WHO) Philippines, and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Philippines.

Making waves for simplifying procurement and supercharging healthcare, health startup Medhyve is tackling inefficiencies in healthcare procurement through its artificial intelligence (AI)-powered business-to-business platform. On a mission to disrupt the healthcare landscape in the Philippines, the company is improving access to quality healthcare by making first-rate medical products more accessible throughout the country. Medhyve specifically empowers small to medium hospitals with an online medical marketspace fitted with AI-driven business tools and dashboards.

With a vision of ending healthcare poverty through technology in the country, CareSpan Philippines is building a virtual clinic infrastructure that helps healthcare providers deliver comprehensive, patient-centered care online. The startup’s website notes that it is at the forefront of healthcare delivery transformation that improves efficiency & creates new value for quality of care by developing increased capabilities to examine, diagnose and treat patients, and dramatically expanding access to medical services. By combining technology with clinical independence, CareSpan is laying the foundation for a more decentralized, accessible, and sustainable healthcare model in the Philippines.

This model is already making a tangible impact on the ground. In an interview with BusinessWorld, Health Futures Foundation, Inc. (HFI) Executive Director Pedrito B. Dela Cruz shared that the startup had approached the nongovernment organization for the possibility of a collaboration. HFI has been a partner of many national and international agencies, and academic institutions in the various facets of universal and primary healthcare, and advocates and acts in the best interest of the poorest to achieve total health and development.

“They’re already establishing a foothold in a few areas. One is Taguig in Metro Manila. Another is Palawan, where they’ve set up telehealth systems, providing access to primary care services and people, as well as PhilHealth’s E-konsulta package. At the same time, helping the local government unit to enroll indigents to PhilHealth,” he said.

These early successes are promising, but they also highlight hard truth that the digital transformation of healthcare in the Philippines is still in its early stages.

To build on the momentum set by these trailblazing startups, Manila Doctors Hospital (MDH) Information Technology Director Edison T. Dungo encourages healthcare institutions to actively pursue strategic partnerships that align innovation with infrastructure and long-term sustainability.

“The digital transformation of healthcare in the Philippines remains in its nascent stage. Although there have been pioneering achievements — locally developed, specialized solutions are still few and far between. Therefore, it is imperative for Manila Doctors Hospital to collaborate strategically with the government, peer hospitals, and technology providers. Through these partnerships, we can identify digital solutions that best align with our clinical objectives, technological capacity, and cost considerations — ensuring that our digital journey is both effective and accessible,” he said.

Philippine healthcare still has a long way to go to be truly beneficial for all Filipino. However, with the help of startups that are making investments in digital infrastructure, expanding to rural and underserved areas, adhering to data privacy norms, and integrating with public health systems, the country is finally on track to build a smarter, more inclusive healthcare system.

Fight League opens in Ortigas: A new arena for combat sports and fitness

Fighting for Fitness: (From left to right) Atty. Nilo T. Divina, Christopher Emmanuel “Chappy” Callanta, and Josemaria Raphael “Jorap” A. Divina aim to bring physical conditioning to a new league.

A new name has entered the metro’s fitness landscape, promising to raise the bar for combat sports and conditioning. Fight League officially opened its doors this month at the Silver Tree Building in Ortigas Center, positioning itself as both a state-of-the-art training facility and a community for athletes, enthusiasts, and first-timers alike.

The facility is the brainchild of Atty. Nilo T. Divina, Managing Partner of DivinaLaw, who built Fight League as both a gift and a vision inspired by his son, Josemaria Raphael “Jorap” Divina. “We wanted to create a place that challenges the body, sharpens the mind, and builds a community around discipline and purpose,” Divina said during the launch.

Joining him at the opening was renowned conditioning coach Chappy Callanta of 360 Fit Teams, whose company has partnered with Fight League to shape its training programs. Guests were given a first look at the facility, which features a full-sized boxing arena, an array of punching bags and speed balls, and a dedicated fitness zone. The gym also houses equipment not commonly found elsewhere, such as a treadmill capable of reaching a 30° incline — double the standard maximum — designed to test endurance at the highest level.

Fight League offers a broad range of programs, from combat disciplines like Muay Thai, boxing, mixed martial arts, grappling, and jiu-jitsu, to group fitness classes in MMA conditioning, Pilates, kettlebell training, and cardio-strength workouts. Members can also enjoy healthy post-training options through the in-house café, which serves meals, sandwiches, and salads to keep athletes fueled.

While its amenities set the stage, the founders emphasized that, apart from being a gym, Fight League is a call to action. “What makes Fight League different is not just the equipment or the programs, but its very purpose,” Callanta said. “It’s about showing up every day with drive, with fire, and with a community behind you.”

Fight League is located on the 3rd floor of the Silver Tree Building, San Miguel Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City. For inquiries, call 0998-865-2515.

 

Spotlight is BusinessWorld’s sponsored section that allows advertisers to amplify their brand and connect with BusinessWorld’s audience by publishing their stories on the BusinessWorld Web site. For more information, send an email to online@bworldonline.com.

Join us on Viber at https://bit.ly/3hv6bLA to get more updates and subscribe to BusinessWorld’s titles and get exclusive content through www.bworld-x.com.

AI adoption in Philippine e-commerce faces hurdles despite consumer enthusiasm

STOCK PHOTO | Image by Rawpixel.Com from Freepik

By Patricia B. Mirasol, Multimedia Producer

Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the e-commerce landscape in the Philippines, offering new opportunities for growth, efficiency, and personalized shopping experiences.

While Filipino consumers are quick to embrace AI-powered features, adoption among businesses — particularly micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) — remains uneven due to cost, complexity, and infrastructure challenges.

A 2025 survey by e-commerce platform Lazada found that sellers across six Southeast Asian (SEA) countries already use an average of four AI tools in their operations. In the Philippines, 76% of sellers are familiar with AI — well above the regional average of 68%, according to research by Kantar in partnership with Lazada. But 64% of Filipino sellers said AI adoption could be “costly and time-consuming.”

The study also found that 37% of Filipino merchants fall under the “AI agnostic” category — those who are cautious, have low trust in the technology and keep a neutral stance toward adoption. Many of these sellers struggle to transition from manual processes to AI-driven systems.

Elyse P. Juan, creative director at Filipino gift shop Papemelroti, cited the need for better support and clearer communication from e-commerce platforms.

“When you roll out new features like these, you need to inform us local businesses beforehand,” she said in an Aug. 7 interview. “Our people don’t come from technically trained backgrounds. There’s also a language barrier on the dashboards. There’s so much jargon.”

Admir Masin, a conversational AI expert at global cloud communication platform Infobip, noted that while the Philippines has a strong digital foundation — high mobile penetration and increasing cloud adoption — other challenges persist.

Infrastructure issues like inconsistent internet connectivity and reliance on legacy systems are real, he said in an e-mailed reply to questions. “But the bigger barriers tend to be organizational readiness, siloed data and limited awareness of AI’s strategic value.”

Mr. Masin said industry-specific playbooks and unified omnichannel strategies — where customers experience seamless service across all touchpoints — could help scale AI adoption.

CONSUMERS LEAD THE WAY
While businesses remain cautious, Filipino consumers are more open to AI-enhanced shopping. A study by Shopee involving 400 Gen Z participants found that 70% rely on e-commerce platforms as their primary source of product information.

Clariza Yu, Shopee’s head of mall solutions, said 80% of buyers prefer visual content, and 60% made purchases after seeing products promoted by influencers.

“Influencers play a very big role in winning over Filipino consumers,” she said via Zoom. “People look for authentic storytelling and a genuine connection.”

“Filipinos also have a very aspirational culture — if they see someone they look up to in TV or on social media promoting a certain product, it becomes more credible for them,” she added.

Both Shopee and Lazada have integrated AI tools to enhance customer engagement and streamline the shopping experience.

Lazada’s AI curates personalized catalogs based on user preferences, said Pauline DLC Castro, head of user product operations at Lazada Philippines.

“Imagine a catalog that knows your skincare goals, your favorite brands and even the specific concerns you’re trying to address — AI does exactly that,” she said in an e-mailed reply to questions.

Lazada’s generative AI tool, AI Lazzie, helps users find the right products and deals. It also analyzes spending habits to offer tailored vouchers. During Lazada’s 2025 6.6 Super Wow Sale, AI Lazzie’s contribution to sales tripled compared with the 2024 12.12 All-Out Pasko Sale.

Shopee, meanwhile, reported a 15% improvement in user satisfaction and a 0.5-day reduction in average customer inquiry and case resolution times in 2025 compared with early 2024.

Ms. Yu also highlighted Shopee’s virtual fitting room feature, which allows users to upload images and try on apparel virtually. “AI has helped buyers feel more informed and confident in their online shopping decisions,” she said.

AI presents significant opportunities for MSMEs, which are the backbone of the Philippine economy. A 2023 McKinsey & Co. study found that businesses using AI in sales and marketing could increase revenue by as much as 15% and cut costs by 20%.

AI-driven solutions are projected to contribute more than $1 trillion to the Southeast Asian economy by 2030.

AI levels the playing field for small businesses, said Arlie Jophen F. Matubis, a digital marketer at education technology firm Techedify. For example, AI can optimize your website to rank higher on Google or generate content at scale for social media marketing.

However, not all experiences with AI are positive. Ms. Juan of Papemelroti said AI-assisted features like chatbots could be frustrating, especially when dealing with customer complaints or shipping issues.

“We can’t be penalized for a courier’s mistake,” she said. “The algorithm might flag us, but the delay could be because the parcel wasn’t picked up by the courier.”

As AI becomes more embedded in daily life, concerns about data privacy and ethical use are growing.

Filipinos often prioritize convenience over privacy, said Sherwin M. Pelayo, executive director at the Analytics & AI Association of the Philippines (AAP). “We don’t read those terms and conditions because we just want to be in the bandwagon.”

He cited the importance of ethical guidelines such as data minimization and opt-out options for data collection.

Sammuel P. Sanclaria, a senior software engineer at Techedify, said tracking technologies like cookies are activated when users visit websites. Ignoring consent popups effectively allows full tracking of user behavior.

These are used for cross-selling and upselling, he said. “Personally, I only allow necessary tracking data. That’s one way to protect ourselves from data mining.”

Mr. Pelayo warned that while AI offers convenience, it also poses risks. “We’re giving out our personal data unknowingly to all these AI engines,” he said.

To address these concerns, the Private Sector Advisory Council for Jobs and Education has presented a national AI upskilling roadmap to President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. The roadmap, which seeks to promote digital literacy, assigns implementation responsibilities to the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Commission on Higher Education and the AAP by 2026.

“Our staff learned through Lazada University and Shopee University,” Ms. Juan said. “But if these platforms really want to empower more Filipino businesses, it would be great if they conducted more face-to-face training.”

As AI continues to evolve, bridging the gap between consumer enthusiasm and business adoption will be key to unlocking its full potential in Philippine e-commerce.

Pueblo de Oro expands livelihood programs to empower women and youth

As part of its steadfast commitment to inclusive community development, Pueblo de Oro Development Corporation (PDO), through its social responsibility arm ICCP Group Foundation, Inc. (IGFI), continues to empower Filipinos through livelihood and skills training programs that open doors to economic opportunities for both women and youth in its host communities.

For 7 years, PDO has championed entrepreneurship and self-sufficiency through legacy programs such as the Gabay sa Kabuhayan: Livelihood Assistance Project. In Malvar, Batangas, a group of women were recently empowered to start their own food cart businesses in partnership with Odyssey Foundation, Inc. (OFI).

Each received a P10,000 livelihood starter package, including food products from CDO Foodsphere, Inc. and essential equipment, along with training from DOST-Calabarzon on Basic Food Hygiene and Food Safety Hazards, and six months of business mentoring. These microentrepreneurs now earn between P500 and P1,000 daily, helping sustain their families and support their children’s education.

In Pampanga, the Kabalikat sa Negosyo Entrepreneurship Training has equipped 70 individuals with business skills, leading to the launch of small food vending ventures that generate similar daily earnings and improve household incomes. These projects, running for 6 years, reflect PDO’s long-term commitment to fostering economic resilience in Pampanga, Batangas, Cebu, and Cagayan de Oro.

From women microentrepreneurs to the next generation of skilled workers, PDO has recently expanded its livelihood mission to reach the youth sector. In partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the company launched a three-day tile-setting training program for out-of-school youth from Barangay Lumbia, Cagayan de Oro, one of PDO’s oldest host communities.

The program provided practical construction skills that enhance employability, particularly within PDO’s ongoing developments and contractor network, and is part of a broader agreement with TESDA to deliver technical training across the city.

As Pueblo de Oro shapes urban landscapes in Cagayan de Oro and other locales, its partnerships with organizations like TESDA ensure that development benefits local communities by preparing youth for careers that uplift families and drive local economic growth.

“Thirty years of building more than just communities, we are building opportunities and lives,” said Pueblo de Oro President and COO Prim Nolido. “Together with IGFI and our partners in the private and public sectors, we continue to invest in the potential of every Filipino we serve.”

 

Spotlight is BusinessWorld’s sponsored section that allows advertisers to amplify their brand and connect with BusinessWorld’s audience by publishing their stories on the BusinessWorld Web site. For more information, send an email to online@bworldonline.com.

Join us on Viber at https://bit.ly/3hv6bLA to get more updates and subscribe to BusinessWorld’s titles and get exclusive content through www.bworld-x.com.

PHL microentrepreneurs, businesses ride the social commerce wave

STOCK PHOTO | Image by Studioredcup from Freepik

By Edg Adrian A. Eva, Reporter

ERICA JOY S. ARGONES, a 25-year-old licensed professional teacher and mother, has turned to social commerce, or selling items via social media, as a side hustle that she considers vital to support her family.

“At that time, live selling was trending… I wanted to help with our expenses — paying bills, buying food, and other necessities,” Ms. Argones told BusinessWorld in Filipino.

She starts her livestreams at midnight and these run until 6 a.m., selling second-hand women’s clothing such as tops and shorts.

A transaction starts when a potential buyer comments during a livestream, and purchases are usually finalized via direct message. Ms. Argones either meets with the customer if they’re nearby or books a delivery rider to send the product.

If she manages to sell all her items, she said she earns nearly double her capital — typically around P6,000 — a modest amount that helps cover other essential expenses for her family.

“Tiyagaan lang talaga sa pagbebenta, kahit inuumaga na ako sa pagla-live (Selling really takes patience, even if I end up staying up until morning doing live selling),” she said.

Social commerce has enabled individuals like Ms. Argones, who, even with limited capital, reach out to a large pool of potential customers and earn additional income.

A Philippine Social Commerce Market Intelligence Report published in April said that more businesses in the country are using social media platforms as their huge number of users offers a sizable potential customer base.

Many Filipino businesses now use platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, where built-in commerce features allow them to sell products directly without requiring customers to switch to a separate app, it said.

The report projected that the Philippine social commerce market will grow by 17.2% to $2.3 billion this year from $1.96 billion in 2024, adding that this trend is expected to continue, with the sector expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate of 12.6% from 2025 to 2030, reaching approximately $4.17 billion by the end of the period.

“The social commerce landscape in the Philippines is undergoing significant transformation, driven by the growing integration of e-commerce features into social media platforms, the rise of live commerce, and increasing reliance on influencer partnerships,” it said.

SOCIAL COMMERCE BOOM
Ruben J. Pascual, secretary-general of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), said that while micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are utilizing social commerce more actively, large businesses are also likely to follow suit.

This shift is driven by the digital consumption habits of younger generations, who are expected to have greater purchasing power in the coming years, he said.

“So, these are the major forces in the consumer market right now. And no company, big or small, can ignore such trends,” Mr. Pascual said in a phone interview.

He said that social commerce in the Philippines is already growing at nearly 20% annually and this is likely to double within the next three to five years, adding that this is similar to the trend seen in many countries, including China.

Even legacy businesses that traditionally operate through brick-and-mortar setups are beginning to move into the social commerce space.

Mega Prime Foods, Inc., a 50-year-old local enterprise known for producing one of the country’s leading sardine brands, began leveraging a popular social commerce platform in 2023.

“We further diversified our distribution by venturing into social commerce TikTok Shop, allowing us to engage with a wider, more digitally active audience,” Michelle Tiu Lim-Chan, president and chief executive officer of Mega Prime, said in an e-mail interview.

Since the company began using TikTok Shop, Ms. Chan said they have seen a 150% increase in product reviews and a 30% increase in sales during special promotions, where exclusive deals are offered on the platform.

Social commerce is effective even for legacy brands like Mega Prime as it allows them to connect with a large pool of potential customers who are active on social media, she said.

According to Meltwater, a Norway-based media monitoring company, the Philippines has 90.8 million identified social media accounts, equivalent to 78% of the population.

The country also leads globally in average time spent on social media, with users spending an average of three hours and 32 minutes per day on these platforms.

TikTok Shop integrates entertainment and shopping into a seamless experience, and its “Buy Local, Shop Local” campaign has over 300,000 homegrown sellers, Franco Aligaen, marketing lead at TikTok Shop, said in an interview with BusinessWorld.

“By combining entertainment with commerce, or what we call ‘Shoppertainment,’ sellers are able to build authentic connections and drive discovery,” Mr. Aligaen said.

Sellers can use the platform’s features such as short-form videos, live selling, and affiliate marketing, and these reduce traditional barriers to market access while keeping customers engaged, he said.

TikTok Shop sellers also have access to other in-app tools such as the latest ACE 2.0, which helps them refine their product assortment, create engaging content, and make data-driven decisions to grow their business.

Mr. Aligaen added that sellers with the TikTok Shop Mall badge — a mark given to verified and trusted brands — experienced 2.2 times faster sales growth from January to June 2024.

CUSTOMER TRUST
Mr. Pascual said a key challenge in business-to-customer relationships in the era of social commerce is trust, especially when it comes to product safety.

“It’s always trust. Do you trust the supplier, the seller of these things? Eventually, it’s always the beginning,” he said.

A 2023 survey by Agile Data Solutions, Inc., a Philippine-based market research and data analytics firm, found that trust is one of two key factors influencing the shopping behavior of Filipino consumers.

Out of 300 respondents surveyed, 28% identified product authenticity and quality as their top concerns when shopping online, including through social media platforms. Meanwhile, 17% cited packaging safety and 15% pointed to delivery times as their primary concerns.

The report also noted that 71% of respondents prefer cash on delivery (COD) as their primary payment method to check the quality of their purchases.

Building trust requires businesses to establish strong customer feedback and review systems, Mr. Pascual said, citing how financial institutions use these mechanisms to build credibility.

“The bank will not just brag about its kinds of services, interest rates, et cetera, but they will use one or a few of their customers to attest that this is the kind of service the bank has given.”

Sellers must also have clear return and refund policies, he added. “In terms of policy, Republic Act No. 11967 or the Internet Transactions Act of 2023 signed in December 2023 ensures consumer protection and helps build trust in the growing digital marketplace like social commerce.”

Under the law, online merchants, platforms, and e-marketplaces involved in business-to-customer and business-to-business transactions must provide accessible information and comply with rules on selling only licensed or permitted products.

The law strengthens consumer rights by entitling them to refunds, replacements, or repairs for defective products, usually at no cost to the buyer, while also protecting merchants from abusive practices like “joy buying,” or making purchases and then canceling or refusing to receive or pay for the purchased item, through clear rules on cancellations and reimbursements.

For Ms. Argones, trust is like currency — it determines whether customers are willing to spend, especially when dealing with microentrepreneurs like her. For her part, she said she makes sure that the photos of her products closely match what buyers receive in person.

Meanwhile, she also called for stricter user verification processes on social commerce platforms as sellers sometimes also fall victim to fake buyers.

For social media platforms like TikTok, stringent policies on product safety and consumer trust are also being implemented, said TikTok Shop’s Mr. Aligaen.

“We take a proactive, multi-layered approach to safety through robust seller verification, content and product listing moderation, and strict enforcement of our community guidelines and commerce policies. These systems help prevent violations and ensure only legitimate, high-quality products reach consumers.”

He added that TikTok has also been conducting training sessions for sellers on relevant policies, laws, and regulations, while also helping consumers navigate the platform through awareness campaigns.

Growth through resilience: How e-commerce propels MSMEs through digitalization

VINCENT LEE, head of Shopee Philippines.

By Vincent Lee

THIS YEAR, Shopee marks its 10th year in the Philippines — a milestone that not only celebrates our journey but also reflects the growth of an industry that continues to transform how Filipinos live, work, and do business. A decade ago, e-commerce was a promising frontier. Today, it’s a vital part of our economy, helping businesses adapt, thrive, and connect across islands, borders, and customer expectations.

Filipino shoppers initially drove the e-commerce boom by moving online due to factors such as brand variety, discounts, and convenience. The coronavirus pandemic significantly accelerated this shift, fundamentally reshaping business operations and consumers’ shopping habits. Yet the greater story lies in how digital platforms are unlocking opportunities for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

In a country made up of over 7,000 islands, e-commerce has emerged as a powerful equalizer, removing geographical barriers, opening market access, and creating economic opportunities where they never existed before. According to the e-Conomy SEA 2024 report by Google, Temasek, and Bain & Company, the Philippines stands as the fastest-growing internet economy in Southeast Asia, with e-commerce contributing a 23% year-on-year increase to the country’s digital economy.

Even with all the progress to date, the journey is far from over. While the Philippines’ e-commerce growth remains at a double-digit pace, a report from McKinsey & Company notes only a 15% penetration rate, half the rate seen in Indonesia and Singapore. 

This makes the Philippines one of the most exciting, high-potential digital economies in Southeast Asia, presenting a tremendous opportunity to enable more MSMEs to capture the full benefits of digitalization and build a more inclusive ecosystem for long-term growth.

DIGITALIZATION FOR BUSINESS RESILIENCE
In times of economic uncertainties, regulatory changes, and evolving consumer expectations, digital transformation isn’t just an advantage — it’s a lifeline for MSMEs to navigate rapid changes and economic vulnerability.

A strong e-commerce presence enables MSMEs to diversify their sales channels and tap into new customer pools both locally and globally. The pandemic brought this lesson into sharp focus, exposing the vulnerability of businesses that were only previously present in physical locations. As MSMEs shifted their storefronts online, they adopted digital payment options, leveraged social media to connect with existing and new customers, and embraced e-commerce platforms to seamlessly fulfill orders and deliver products to a wider customer base despite logistical limitations.

Even as the economy begins to recover, e-commerce remains a transformative anchor for Philippine businesses. Local artisans and producers can now serve other major cities, bypassing traditional logistical limitations and opening a world of global opportunities for homegrown products.

For example, Don Ricardo Chocolate Shop, a local chocolatier in Sarangani, embraced e-commerce and has become a favorite across the nation, reaching over 30 provinces. Similarly, Rey’s Bakeshop from Marinduque, known for its traditional uraro (arrowroot) cookies, successfully expanded its reach throughout Luzon through online sales.

Such connectivity fosters dynamic local economies and facilitates the vibrant trade of diverse local products, preserving regional craftsmanship and ensuring business continuity even amidst disruptions.

More than just expanding market reach, digital tools are helping MSMEs enhance operational efficiency. Whether it’s streamlining inventory, integrating fulfillment and logistics, or automating customer support, digitalization enables local businesses to reallocate time and resources and accelerate their development by focusing on strategic growth.

This evolution underscores what we’ve always believed in: leveraging technology has become foundational to the success of MSMEs, enabling them to remain competitive, agile, and connected in an economy that’s growing more digitized by the day.

MSME SUPPORT AS A SHARED ENDEAVOR
Unlike larger corporations, MSMEs often lack access to knowledge, tools, and capital to go digital. Bridging this gap demands a unified ecosystem – one where government, platforms, and communities work together to empower small businesses.

Understanding this imperative for collective action, Shopee has worked alongside MSMEs to launch vital educational activities and support over its 10-year journey. As a continuation of this work with local government units (LGUs) and other ecosystem partners, the Tatak Pinoy program, which began in 2022, represents a focused commitment to nationwide outreach, providing entrepreneurs with hands-on training and simplified onboarding.

Programs like these underscore the paramount role of LGUs in ensuring that knowledge and skills transfer reach the entrepreneurs, proving that digital transformation is most effective when anchored in local contexts.

At the national level, MSME participation can be sustained through policy support for digital infrastructure, upskilling, and regulatory clarity. As the government continues to invest in broadband access, e-governance, and trade facilitation, small businesses can benefit from a more enabling environment for digital growth. When local capacity-building is paired with platform expertise, the result is not just broader adoption, but deeper inclusion. 

CONTENT, MULTI-TOUCHPOINT SHOPPING IN THE FUTURE
The future looks bright for Philippine e-commerce, with revenues expected to reach $24.57 billion by 2029, according to Anchanto.

In this new landscape, content will become central to the shopping experience. A Kantar study shows that 80% of buyers prefer visual content over text when making shopping decisions. Platforms are evolving from product listings to rich, multimedia environments, built to drive discovery, engagement, and trust.

The coming years will also see the rise of multi-touchpoint shopping, seamlessly connecting social media platforms with e-commerce applications. With 40% of Gen Z shoppers using these channels before completing their purchase, brands and platforms must leverage social media, influencers, and paid ads to drive purchases and build brand-owned social media presence.

Digital tools are foreseen to become more accessible for both shoppers and MSMEs. Shopee implements technology-driven and experience-centered capabilities that empower customers at every stage of their journey: from personalized search results to quick decision-making aided by review summaries and more sophisticated delivery date estimations.

For sellers, artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing operations, with features like AI-powered video creation and AI-hosted livestreams enabling MSMEs to showcase products compellingly while focusing on core business operations. Seller chat assistants manage buyer queries quickly and efficiently, and chatbots are designed to be more humanized.

Lastly, with the growth of e-commerce intertwined with the rising acceptance of digital payments, digital financial services will continue to gain momentum. With 70% of Filipino consumers being highly receptive to installment plans, business owners can enable these payment options to drive sales and affordability.

SUSTAINING E-COMMERCE GROWTH
As the Philippines charts its path forward, a sustained ecosystem is needed to ensure that MSMEs can fully participate in the digital economy. While providing access to digital tools, improving digital literacy, and building capacity are all crucial steps, they aren’t enough on their own. Without the right conditions for scale and profitability, even the most dedicated support systems will eventually hit their limits. 

For digital ecosystems to be truly sustainable, MSMEs must also be able to grow and thrive within them. This emphasizes the importance of co-creation. A single actor cannot build a resilient digital economy; rather, it needs to be shaped collectively through co-investment from the public and private sectors, smart policy, and community-based efforts that respond to local needs.

By strengthening the foundations — skills, infrastructure, incentives — we not only empower small businesses but also ensure that digital progress is balanced, inclusive, and built to last. Sustained growth requires shared ownership, and the future of e-commerce in the Philippines will be defined by how well we rise to that challenge, together.

 

Vincent Lee is head of Shopee Philippines.

Forged in fire: The Philippine startup ecosystem comes of age

FREEPIK/ATLASCOMPANY

By Bjorn Biel M. Beltran, Special Features and Content Assistant Editor

“The Philippines has so much potential.” An oft-heard refrain, increasingly with a tinge of frustration.

Because while the country boasts one of Southeast Asia’s youngest, most digital-ready populations, its startup community has long struggled to match its promise. Infrastructure, capital, and policy remain the defining challenges for Filipino entrepreneurs today.

The potential is recognized the world over. According to the 2025 Global Startup Ecosystems Report (GSER) by Startup Genome, Manila’s startup ecosystem generated $6.3 billion (around P352 billion) in value from mid-2022 to the end of 2024. That marks a strong 35% annual growth rate compared to the previous two-and-a-half-year period.

Startup Genome defines “ecosystem value” as the combined valuation of funded startups (including unicorns) and recent exits such as acquisitions and initial public offerings (IPOs). In essence, it reflects the total economic impact generated by the startup scene during that time.

Bucking global trends, this pushes Manila up in the rankings of Emerging Startup Ecosystems, placing in the 61-70 bracket this year from 81-90 last year and 91-100 in 2023.

The GSER follows the results published by early-stage venture capital firm Foxmont Capital Ventures and Boston Consulting Group in their Venture Capital Report 2025, which found that despite the generally subdued sentiment within the local startup industry, startup activity in the Philippines actually peaked in 2024. Total funds raised by startups in the Philippines reached $1.12 billion last year, up 16.6% compared to 2023’s $960 million and just slightly ahead of 2022’s record $1.11 billion.

Yet, for all that increase in value, the country has been consistently declining in terms of ecosystem growth. In the 2025 Global Startup Ecosystem Index by research firm StartupBlink, the Philippines slipped to 64th place out of 100 countries with a score of 2.237, amid persistent gaps in infrastructure and regulations.

This was the fourth straight year of decline for the Philippines, which ranked 52nd in 2021, 57th in 2022, 59th in 2023 and 60th in 2024.

“The ecosystem growth of the Philippines is around 0.56% this year, and it’s being overtaken even by locations that are also decreasing in the rankings,” StartupBlink Head of Data & Consulting Ghers Fisman said, adding that the country’s annual growth is the lowest in Southeast Asia.

The Global Startup Ecosystem Index evaluates startup ecosystems across 100 countries and 1,000 cities, using scores that assess the quantity and quality of startups, and their existing business environment.

Two years ago, in the 2023 Global Startup Index published by Business Name Generator, which took into account tax rates, economic growth, cost of living and setup costs, the Philippines was named the most challenging country in which to launch a startup.

The cost of launching a startup in the country was among the highest of 50 countries in the index at 23.3% of GNI per capita. Low average recorded salaries and quality-of-life scores for employees also affect productivity, employee engagement, and job satisfaction, it added.

Clearly, not much has changed to address these issues. Taken together, the data points to an ecosystem with strong bottom-up energy, yet one ultimately held back by structural bottlenecks. Investors and founders alike are navigating these pressures daily.

IdeaSpace Foundation has selected six startups for the the latest cohort of its flagship accelerator program.

“The Philippines is paradoxical,” Miguel Lorenzo L. Macale, senior investment manager at IdeaSpace Ventures, said in an interview. “It is one of the hardest markets to build in, but that same difficulty breeds a certain grit and resilience.”

The Manuel V. Pangilinan-backed IdeaSpace Ventures is among the premier startup enablers in the country. Speaking from his experience, Mr. Macale observed that founders who thrive in the Philippines are “forged in fire” and “tempered by the unique and fundamental challenges we face here.” Exposure to that kind of startup environment builds adaptability and resourcefulness.

“We have Indonesia’s scale, Vietnam’s hunger, and Singapore’s connectivity, but layered with something distinct: a global services backbone and a diaspora-driven financial flow that ties us to the world,” he said. “We may not match Singapore’s capital breadth depth or Vietnam’s robust manufacturing capability, but what we do have — creativity, adaptability, and a digital-native population of 115 million — isn’t easily replicated elsewhere.”

Franco Varona, managing partner at Foxmont Capital Partners, outlined five key challenges that Philippine startups face today: tedious and lengthy business documentation processes; red tape as one of the biggest bottlenecks for growth; manual regulatory reporting; lengthy timelines when setting up a corporation; and difficulty in processing documents.

However, Mr. Varona found that these hurdles did little to quench the fire that was quietly burning within the Philippine startup scene, as was the case during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic when countless new ventures were born — including Foxmont Capital itself.

“Our digital infrastructure improved immensely during this period. And the country rapidly digitized which helped to really kick-start the startup ecosystem of the Philippines. All of a sudden, there were many new opportunities for entrepreneurs to approach and solve,” he said.

“The Philippine startup ecosystem, by and large, is a blue ocean. As long as there are problems, there can be a startup to solve them.”

Young entrepreneurs from Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University, and the University of the Philippines developed practical solutions to real-world problems at a hackathon called “Big 3 Startup Showdown” earlier in May.

An ocean of friction

A blue ocean it may be, but smooth sailing it is not. Many aspiring entrepreneurs find that the waters of the Philippine startup ecosystem are heavy with salt, sand and undertow.

Open innovation agency and startup accelerator Launchgarage noted that for nearly 25 years, the Philippine tech talent pool has been consistently developing through extensive experience with United States-based technology outsourcing. The local ecosystem stands to benefit from the influx of experienced engineers who have worked with both big tech companies and startups.

“This workforce is now well-positioned to power the local startup scene as founders, builders, and key team members,” Launchgarage said in an interview. “In addition, the country’s large, young, English-speaking, and digitally savvy population makes it an ideal market for launching technology startups.”

Yet in reality, things are far from ideal. “The Philippines’ current business regulatory environment does not actively support technology startup growth. Restrictions on foreign ownership and capital gains taxes on share transactions deter venture capital investment in locally registered tech startups. Key elements that fuel entrepreneurship in more mature ecosystems, such as founder equity, are also inadequately supported,” the company said.

“Being a startup founder in the Philippines often feels like we’re being penalized for dreaming of a better world,” Packworks, a platform that aims to empower Filipino micro entrepreneurs all over the country, said in an email. “The road for any entrepreneur building something from scratch in the Philippines is worse than EDSA on payday, during the Christmas season, in the middle of a typhoon. Everything is slow, there’s minimal urgency, and there’s even less structural support.”

Packworks cited the glaring example of simply finding opportunities outside Metro Manila. Despite only housing 12% of the Philippine population, the company pointed out that it feels as if 90% of business is concentrated here. “If you’re building outside the NCR (National Capital Region), it can feel like you’re on your own,” the company said.

Packworks was also a company born during the pandemic. They described the period as “the ultimate disruptor,” forcing everyone, especially sari-sari stores, to adapt and embrace technology almost overnight. These stores, many run by “digital immigrants,” became the unexpected but essential adopters of digital tools, which then laid the groundwork for the post-pandemic startup ecosystem that now sees real opportunity in serving these overlooked communities.

“While there have been plenty of ups and downs, that digital foundation remains and continues to grow. But for us, digitization isn’t just about massive growth; it’s about resilience and sustainability. The startup mindset has shifted from chasing scale to building systems that can last,” the company said.

Greentech logistics firm Mober echoed the sentiment. “COVID-19 tested us but it also accelerated our ability to build impact-led businesses. At Mober, the pandemic pushed us to transition fully to electric vehicles, a move we began in late 2021. That shift, admittedly risky at the time, proved critical. It showed that even in a crisis, startups can choose purpose over expedience,” the company said in an interview.

“Our community became tougher, more mission-driven. Founders realized resilience isn’t just surviving, you innovate through. That renewed focus has birthed stronger climate tech, agritech and logistics‑tech momentum across the Philippines.”

A team of students from the UST College of Information and Computing Sciences won the Best Use of Technology Award for their mobile app project addressing food waste and animal welfare at the EDUtech Asia 2024 Planet Protector Sustainability Challenge held from last November in Singapore.

Clearly, there is a bright side to adversity and friction. It encourages evolution. For many startups, the last few years have been a forced coming-of-age. The romanticism of disruption has given way to the reality of survival: cash flow, customer retention, and operational discipline.

As Mr. Macale of IdeaSpace Ventures puts it, the Philippine startup community has shed some of its early naïveté and what remains is leaner, more mature, and tougher than ever.

“Today the ecosystem is smaller in quantity but stronger in quality. We’re seeing more capital discipline, more serious founders, and more openness from corporates to partner with startups. In short: the pandemic was a filter, and the ones left standing are now building with a maturity that we hadn’t seen before,” he said.

“Both founders and investors have paid the ‘tuition fees’ of investing and fund-raising during the 2010s and through the early 2020s. They’ve matured and gotten wiser in equal measure, and are now more focused on the real metrics that matter: the right team, a sizable (and growing) total addressable market, and real traction.”

Grit, then, has become a defining trait of Philippine startups over the years. But it begs the question: Should it have to be?

Resilience may be admirable, but when survival is a prerequisite for progress, the cost of entry becomes too high. Founders shouldn’t have to bootstrap in obscurity, navigate regulatory minefields, or incorporate abroad just to be viable.

Many players in the scene have already outlined what needs to change. “To elevate the Philippines as a true startup frontier in Southeast Asia, we need to focus on a few critical levers,” Mober said.

“First, unlock blended finance and offer tax incentives for asset-heavy, sustainability-led ventures. Second, infrastructure must expand beyond Metro Manila. Third, regulations must evolve with innovation. Lastly, we need to empower regional founders by decentralizing access to incubators, mentors, and funding. Innovation can and should thrive beyond NCR. Whether it’s a climate tech startup in Iloilo or a logistics disruptor in Davao, they deserve the same runway to scale.”

Launchgarage echoes this, emphasizing the role of state support in unblocking growth. “Government support for startup ventures can significantly accelerate the sector’s growth. Financial incentives like tax holidays, along with streamlined business registration processes, would reduce administrative burdens, allowing entrepreneurs to focus on building and scaling their startups,” it said.

The StartUp QC program of the Quezon City government has recently supported six startups, comprising the program’s third cohort.

“The raw ingredients are here. What we need is an ecosystem that allows these ingredients to come together, reducing friction, increasing trust, and unlocking the potential we keep talking about. Because potential, on its own, isn’t a strategy,” Packworks stressed.

If the Philippines is serious about becoming a startup frontier, it must reduce the friction that turns every entrepreneurial journey into a test of endurance. 

The turbulent waters of the Filipino startup ecosystem may forge great captains, but calmer seas could create more of them. And when the times hold so much promise and potential, the country needs as many at the helm as it can get.

MGEN unveils refreshed identity to power a better tomorrow

Meralco PowerGen Corp. (MGEN) has unveiled its refreshed corporate brand identity, marking a milestone in its 15-year journey as it positions itself for stronger growth in the Philippines and Southeast Asia.

The rebrand reflects MGEN’s vision “to be the leader in the Philippines’ transition to a secure, affordable, and sustainable energy future — while fueling economic growth by meeting the region’s energy requirements.”

More than a visual update, the brand evolution unites the company’s diverse energy portfolio under One MGEN:

  • MGEN Thermal (formerly MThermal) — delivering dependable baseload to ensure energy security
  • MGEN Natural Gas (formerly MNatGas) — serving as a reliable transitional fuel that supports the shift towards a more sustainable energy future
  • MGEN Renewables (formerly MGreen) — expanding renewable capacity through solar and battery energy storage

With its mission of “Powering a Better Tomorrow,” MGEN commits to addressing the energy trilemma of security, affordability, and sustainability. This mission comes to life through the company’s diversified portfolio of baseload, renewable, and natural gas projects, ensuring it meets the current energy demand while preparing for a low-carbon future.

The rebrand was first introduced internally during One MGEN Day on Aug. 15, 2025 coinciding with the company’s 15th anniversary celebration and launch of its new vision, mission, and corporate values. Employees across plant sites, subsidiaries, and offices celebrated the milestone and witnessed the unveiling of the new identity.

MGEN President and CEO Emmanuel V. Rubio steers MGEN towards powering a better tomorrow.

“MGEN is more than just power plants and projects — we are an organization moving with one purpose. When we act as One MGEN, we can deliver reliable energy today while building the solutions that will power a better tomorrow. This is where we are headed, and the only way we get there is by being together,” said MGEN President and CEO Emmanuel V. Rubio.

MGEN Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan unveils MGEN’s new direction.

During the event, MGEN Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan shared the company’s growth trajectory and how it will position MGEN as one of the largest power generation companies in ASEAN. “We look forward to the next 5 years and I think this will be golden years for MGEN. Congratulations!,” Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan exclaimed.

MGEN currently operates a 5,068-megawatt (MW) portfolio across the Philippines and Singapore. This includes thermal and natural gas assets, seven solar plants in Luzon with 400-MWac capacity, investments in Singapore-based PacificLight Power, a 40.2% investment in LNGPH, the Philippines first and most expansive LNG facility, and the upcoming MTerra Solar — the world’s largest integrated solar and battery storage facility.

With its refreshed brand, MGEN is signaling its bold commitment to lead the energy transition, while continuing to deliver reliable power today and building the solutions for tomorrow.

Learn more through the One MGEN brand video here:

 

Spotlight is BusinessWorld’s sponsored section that allows advertisers to amplify their brand and connect with BusinessWorld’s audience by publishing their stories on the BusinessWorld Web site. For more information, send an email to online@bworldonline.com.

Join us on Viber at https://bit.ly/3hv6bLA to get more updates and subscribe to BusinessWorld’s titles and get exclusive content through www.bworld-x.com.

MVP Group’s IdeaSpace unveils Cohort 13 startups for flagship accelerator program

IdeaSpace Foundation, the startup accelerator arm of the MVP Group of Companies, has announced the six startups selected for the 13th cohort of its flagship accelerator program.

Themed “Startups for the Future,” this year’s cohort highlights ventures that address pressing challenges and are poised to reshape key industries through technology, sustainability, and changing lifestyles. 

After a rigorous selection process, six startups were chosen to join Cohort 13. Among them is Soolok Properties, Inc., a digital platform that aggregates foreclosed property listings from leading Philippine banks. By standardizing the data and applying a proprietary pricing model, the platform identifies the best-value deals for buyers and investors.

Also joining the cohort is KaHero, a cloud-based point-of-sale system designed to help small businesses manage sales, inventory, expenses, and multiple branches in real time. Xure has been selected as well, offering a mobile platform for collectors to safely buy, sell, and trade collectibles. The app integrates expert appraisal and certification services through a decentralized clearinghouse.

On the content side, DashoContent provides a hybrid operations platform that combines AI tools with human experts to streamline content creation and management.

In real estate, Cloverly has developed an internal tool for property developers and brokers to make buyer onboarding more efficient.

Rounding out the cohort is Polka Motors, an online marketplace that simplifies the motor loan application process, easing a critical step toward vehicle ownership.

“We are thrilled to welcome the Cohort 13 startups into the IdeaSpace family,” said Butch Meily, president of IdeaSpace. “The strength of our network, which connects founders, mentors, investors, and the broader MVP group, will undoubtedly drive these ventures to new heights.”

The latest cohort’s theme reflects IdeaSpace’s commitment to fostering innovation that is both resilient and forward-thinking. The selected startups leverage technology to define what’s next for a more future-ready Philippines.

“The cornerstone of our work is to sustain the ecosystem so that we help more startups that have immense potential to contribute to the economy and national development. This cohort perfectly embodies that mission, and we are excited to partner with them on their journey to build scalable and sustainable businesses,” Alwyn Rosel, executive director of IdeaSpace, added.

The Accelerator Program will provide the startups with comprehensive support, including mentorship from industry experts, access to IdeaSpace’s extensive network, and guidance on business operations, fund-raising strategies, and effective marketing. The program is designed to fast-track the growth of these promising technology-based ventures.

Since its launch, the IdeaSpace Accelerator Program has been among the biggest programs at the center of the Philippine startup landscape, supporting hundreds of startups and empowering a new generation of Filipino entrepreneurs.

 

SparkUp is BusinessWorld’s multimedia brand created to inform, inspire, and empower the Philippine startups; micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs); and future business leaders. This section will be published every other Monday. For pitches and releases about startups, e-mail to bmbeltran@bworldonline.com (cc: abconoza@bworldonline.com). Materials sent become BW property.

IT-BPM industry counting on AI to defend global market share

STOCK PHOTO | Image by from Freepik

By Justine Irish D. Tabile, Reporter

The information technology and business process management (IT-BPM) industry views artificial intelligence (AI) as an opportunity to maintain its position among the world’s top outsourcing destinations.

“We can’t stop it obviously, and we don’t want to stop it because it could be the biggest opportunity for us as we are a leader,” IT-BPM Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) President Jonathan R. Madrid told BusinessWorld.

He said the opportunity offered by AI lies in helping average-performing agents increase their overall productivity.

Citing an internal industry survey, he said member firms reported that the integration of AI in their processes has resulted in improved efficiency, overall productivity gains, and customer satisfaction.

“What that means is it has raised the standard of agent performance. The way AI improves our processes is by making an agent faster with more data, which allows the agent to deliver resolutions faster than before,” he said.

“This is really where the majority of the benefits we see from AI are. We don’t really see AI disrupting the industry or jobs significantly at this point. We see it as augmenting the work that we do,” he added.

He said the result is that IT-BPM companies end up processing more queries faster.

“That should result in better cost optimization since agents become more productive. If that trend continues, then it makes sense that at some point in time when demand and supply are better matched, there will be some plateauing of the number of jobs,” he added.

On the client side, he said there is an expectation of AI integration leading to better cost optimization.

“I would think that when they negotiate their contracts with our members, they will be expecting these higher efficiencies to be part of their performance metrics,” he added.

Philippine AI Business Association (PAIBA) Director for AI Ethics & Data Governance Dominic Vincent D. Ligot said that AI plays a “pivotal” role in sustaining the IT-BPM industry’s competitive advantage.

“Other markets are also accelerating their digital transformation, and AI is increasingly tied to higher productivity, client satisfaction, and operational value,” he said via Viber.

“Through robust governance and client-centric AI solutions, the Philippines can retain its status as a trusted IT-BPM destination in a very competitive market,” he added.

He said maintaining leadership will depend on rapid adoption of intelligent automation, continuous upskilling, and emphasizing innovation, ethics, and quality.

“AI is reshaping the sector, demanding rapid workforce transformation, and creating new areas of value,” he said.

“The readiness of the workforce will depend on urgent, broad-based efforts in education, reskilling, and regulation. AI, when integrated strategically and ethically, will help maintain the country’s position as a global leader in IT-BPM,” he added.

Contact Centers Association of the Philippines (CCAP) President Haidee C. Enriquez said that AI, particularly for the contact center and business process management (CC-BPM) segment of the industry, is a catalyst for growth.

“It allows the Philippines to move up the value chain by offering services that are more complex, more human, and more valuable,” she told BusinessWorld in an e-mail.

“Our people, who are known for their empathy, adaptability, and English fluency, are exactly what global companies need in an AI-augmented world,” she added.

She said that the rise of AI should not be seen as a threat to be feared but as a tool to be harnessed.

“At the heart of it, this is about creating better jobs and long-term careers in a tech-driven future. The CC-BPM sector is at a crucial point,” she said.

“With deliberate planning, a human-centered approach to AI, and strong public-private partnerships, the Philippines is poised to remain the global leader in customer experience,” she added.

She said the Philippines leads in voice-based customer experience services, holding over 40% of the market by headcount.

“This confirms our unmatched strength in delivering world-class customer care,” she added.

Fusion CX Co-Founder, Chairman, Managing Director, and Chief Executive Officer Pankaj Dhanuka said the Philippines needs to adopt AI faster to maintain its position.

“My advice to all the associations and the industry leaders is to promote adoption of AI, instead of ignoring it. Faster adoption will help the Philippines further grow the IT-BPM industry,” Mr. Dhanuka told BusinessWorld.

“AI per se will impact, but it will impact in a positive way. It will help humans to improve their productivity, train faster, make them more accurate, and improve the quality of their service,” he added.

SyCip Gorres Velayo & Co. (SGV) Technology Consulting Principal Lee Carlo B. Abadia said that since the Philippines already is known for outsourcing, it should further market the country as an AI destination.

“We already have that advantage of connections abroad. We just need to make sure that part of our repertoire in technology is data and analytics and AI. You need to make it the default, not side training,” Mr. Abadia told BusinessWorld.

“Since we have the network, then we focus on the training, we should be able to use that advantage to secure the market (position of) the Philippines as an AI destination. I think that’s also the dream of IBPAP as well. That’s why they’re doing agentic AI processes,” he added.

As of mid-2024, 56% of IBPAP member organizations said that they are actively implementing AI initiatives, with 11% reporting full implementation.

Meanwhile, Ms. Enriquez said that a recent survey among CCAP member companies revealed that all of the respondents are using AI in their operations.

These include intelligent virtual agents and chatbots being used to handle basic queries, agent assist tools being used for live support, and speech analytics and sentiment analysis employed in identifying customer pain points.

“These tools are already being used in many major hubs like Metro Manila and Cebu to empower frontline teams and elevate customer experience,” she added.

AI REPLACING TASKS, NOT JOBS
According to Mr. Madrid, the IBPAP survey revealed that 8% of the firms saw a reduction in headcount, while 13% saw an increase, reflecting how AI is reshaping workforce dynamics in the industry.

“So, while those jobs that the 8% corresponded to may have been affected. I believe that most of them, if not all, were redeployed to higher-value jobs. And that’s really what the industry wants to happen; we want higher value,” he said.

“The way that we’re going to measure our performance as an industry is by capability, by skill, rather than counting the number of jobs. What we want to grow more is revenue. That’s why we really want the higher-value jobs,” he added.

The industry’s goal for the year is a 5% increase in revenue to $40 billion and at least a 4% increase in staffing to 1.9 million.

He noted a stronger focus in the industry on global capability centers.

“Those tend to provide higher value, higher revenue, and actually less attrition than the traditional business process outsourcing business,” he said.

“Simple tasks that are, I would say, repetitive will be the first (to be phased out) and rightfully so. I really believe that tasks that are automatable should be automated. Especially now that we still continue to have more demand than supply of employable talent,” he added.

However, Mr. Madrid said that though the Philippines is keeping up with technology, the industry still faces a talent and skills gap.

“We are a world leader in IT-BPM. What we do drives a big part of the global industry. All the big players are here. I think whatever they do globally, they will need to deploy here in the Philippines, so I would say we are at the very least keeping up with technology,” he said.

“What we should be monitoring is really the quality of our talent. This is a very human capital-intensive industry, and with the expected changes in types of work, job functions, and processes, we need to prepare our people with better skills,” he added.

He said IBPAP members on average only hire 15-20% of the people they interview, which means 80-85 out of every 100 who get interviewed do not get the job they apply for.

“That’s a big concern, because those are job opportunities. When we ask our members why that is, most of the reasons for somebody not getting hired are communication or comprehension-related,” he said.

“Now, whether it’s banking, telecom, or healthcare, these are the fundamental problems. I think that’s what we should focus on,” he added.

PAIBA’s Mr. Ligot said that while job losses are a concern, AI’s main impact on the IT-BPM workforce has been “transformational rather than eliminative.”

“The workforce is at a turning point; reskilling and upskilling are urgently needed to keep pace with AI-driven workplace transformation,” he said. 

“The main challenges cited are a skills gap in advanced digital disciplines like AI, data analytics, and programming. Multiple studies highlight the critical need for workforce reskilling; 26% of firms see it as a primary challenge,” he added.

In the IBPAP survey, 26% of firms cited the need for significant reskilling, while 24% said they have experienced role shifts, indicating that “AI is more likely to augment and transform jobs rather than eliminate them.”

CCAP’s Ms. Enriquez said AI has significantly reshaped workforce planning, with routine jobs like data entry and simple transactions now being automated.

“But this shift is also opening up new, higher-value roles — those that require problem-solving, emotional intelligence, and digital skills,” she said.

“We now see more roles focused on data analysis, supervising AI systems, and delivering personalized customer experiences,” she added.

However, she said that such a transformation requires heavy investment in upskilling, reskilling, and cross-skilling programs.

At Fusion CX, Mr. Dhanuka said though AI helps in automating processes that were previously manual, humans are still needed to ensure the processes are working effectively.

“The balance part has to be done by a human. And humans will be able to do it better,” he added.

He said though AI can fulfill its promise in a controlled environment, it is less capable in real life.

“When the actual interactions are happening in our world, AI tools don’t work to the effectivity that they are claiming,” he added.

He said that a voice bot cannot perform as well when its conversations with clients are accompanied by television or other types of background noise, including children.

“I don’t see any foreseeable future that AI will be able to overcome that, and at such instances where AI does garbage output, customer confidence and trust in AI will go down. Where AI will function very well is in hybrid situations,” he added.

SGV’s Mr. Abadia said that AI is not replacing jobs but tasks, which are just a subset of a particular job.

“What happens is you have to streamline common tasks around a horizontal space and use data analytics or AI to automate that part,” he said.

He cited the need for staff to do data and analytics work, because aside from using technology to analyze trends and data, they become the operators of it.

“The principle we want to establish within the IT-BPM industry is the need for the ‘human in the loop.’ When you design tech automation, it must make sure to run the manual task, make it stop at one point, and have an actual person do a sense check of the output,” he said.

“My thinking is instead of replacing jobs, you free up capacity to accommodate new kinds of services within IT-BPM,” he added.

However, he said some jobs will be replaced, especially those dealing with menial tasks on a day-to-day basis.

“The encouragement is for people doing that right now to proactively upskill themselves. And as they demonstrate that within their organization, they are future-proofing their career,” he said.

“Again, there’s going to be a replacement, but it shouldn’t be that significant. It’s really more about freeing capacity,” he added.

INTERVENTIONS NEEDED
IBPAP’s Mr. Madrid said the talent base must be upskilled and reskilled, especially in the areas of comprehension and domain skills.

“I think the most important category, especially in working with AI, is really strengthening our level of comprehension. We’re dealing with the problems of our customers. We need better comprehension to better understand and analyze what these problems are,” he said.

“The other category, I would say, is domain skills. We all know that there is a shortage of nurses, accountants, and analysts. So, whatever the domain or sector is, we should double down on those specific domains,” he added.

However, he said upskilling should not just be the responsibility of government and the private sector, but also of any individual.

“We must protect our market share, so it is important to ensure that our existing workforce and the future generation of the digital workforce is upskilled and reskilled and our curriculum across our university system is updated to meet the new work types of the future,” he said.

“We really need to work on those fundamental qualitative skills… and I think taking personal responsibility for your upskilling and education is important. We cannot expect the government, the schools, and the private sector to do everything,” he added.

SGV’s Mr. Abadia said the government’s National AI Strategy Roadmap (NAISR) 2.0 is a step in the right direction.

“I think it’s really great that we already had the Department of Trade and Industry put up the NAISR. What the private sector can do is to look at the seven imperatives in that roadmap, and then wherever their specialty is, they should really reach out to that agency,” he said.

He said the NAISR’s seven strategic imperatives include building a robust connected and networked environment, improving data access and data value extraction, transforming education and nurturing future AI talent, and upskilling and reskilling the workforce.

The other imperatives are to master and push the boundaries of AI, accelerate innovation with AI, and build an AI ecosystem “conscience.”

PAIBA’s Mr. Ligot said that aside from building out the NAISR, the government can also help the IT-BPM industry invest in digital and AI skills development and champion ethical AI use and governance.

In particular, he cited the need to support education and training programs for AI, data science, and analytics to future-proof the workforce.

He called for public-private partnerships such as “collaboration among schools, industry, and government for relevant skills training and curriculum modernization.”

The government must also address infrastructure and cost barriers to make AI adoption more accessible to small firms.

These can be through incentives and infrastructure investment, he said.

CCAP’s Ms. Enriquez said the industry needs strong government support to keep pace with AI.

In particular, she said the government should expand measures like the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy (CREATE MORE) Act and the Enterprise-Based Education and Training (EBET) Law.

“We also need deeper partnerships with academia to develop future-ready talent and joint investments in workforce training,” she said.

“Finally, modernizing our infrastructure and data policy frameworks will be critical to support scalable and ethical AI integration,” she added.

On regulation, Fusion CX’s Mr. Dhanuka said that he doesn’t think any law is required addressing the use of AI from a customer experience perspective.

“As of now, I don’t think any law is required. Maybe, overall, AI law is required because we are seeing some bad things happening using AI… but when it comes to our industry, whatever we are doing in AI and machine learning, it’s all positive, so regulation is not needed,” he said.

“But if the overall AI regulation comes, we may also get impacted… I think all governments and society are waking up to this idea that there is a potential for misuse of AI, so something may come. As and when it comes, we will be ready to adapt and comply with those regulations,” he added.

Fusion CX Chief Marketing and Strategy Officer Manish Jain said more than regulation, he said the government must invest more in AI.

“For instance, in India, every major university has an incubation lab today doing stuff and creating tech. Rather than losing the message in regulation, I think the opportunity right now is to invest and lead,” he said.

“AI has a lot of positives. It is good to embrace the positives, rather than look at the negatives,” he added.

Mr. Dhanuka said that the government should regulate when needed. “Regulation is not bad. But think more of investing than just regulating.”

Laurean Residences: A new chapter of prestige living in Makati

Laurean Residences

Ayala Land Premier introduces Laurean Residences, a new beacon of modern luxury rising along Dela Rosa Street in Makati Central Business District. Conceived for a discerning niche within the luxury market, the development reimagines urban living as both sophisticated and connected—an address that resonates with the rhythm of the city while offering an intimate sanctuary at its heart.

A New Landmark in a Revitalized District

Laurean Residences finds its home in Dela Rosa Gardens, a reenergized live-work-play district anchored by the new BPI Tower, lush green spaces, vibrant retail spaces, and a civic hub. Here, life unfolds beyond the confines of home, with the residence itself serving as an urban retreat. Over half a hectare of exclusive amenities—managed by Ayala Land Hospitality—bring the atmosphere of a private in-city club, where wellness, leisure, and social connection converge seamlessly.

A Distinctive Vision for a Discerning Market

While Ayala Land Premier’s Park Villas and Park Central Towers have each carved their own niche in the luxury landscape, Laurean Residences speaks to a different sensibility— one that seeks the exclusivity of a club lifestyle paired with flexibility, privacy, and effortless access to Makati’s cultural and civic landmarks.

A spectrum of living spaces awaits—65 floors of refined residences, from 72-sqm suites to expansive two-to four-bedroom homes ranging from 127 to 402 sqm, along with rare bi-level villas tailored for modern lifestyles. Every detail carries the signature of internationally acclaimed firms—HB Design, Joyce Wang Studio, and Landscape Tectonix—where architecture, interiors, and landscapes are seamlessly composed with purposeful elegance and timeless appeal. Trusted local designers are likewise engaged to thoughtfully translate these visions, ensuring a design language that resonates with both global refinement and local sensibilities.

Ayala Land Premier President Mike Jugo shares, “More than a collection of homes, it is an urban sanctuary where timeless architecture, purposeful amenities, and meticulous craftsmanship come together to elevate everyday life.”

Living in Makati: A Lifestyle of Connection, Culture, and Convenience

Laurean Residences is seamlessly woven into the fabric of the Makati CBD, one of Metro Manila’s most walkable and connected locales. Direct access to the Dela Rosa elevated walkway links residents to key destinations, while nearby green spaces—Ayala Triangle Gardens, Washington Sycip Park, Legazpi Active Park, and Jaime Velasquez Park—offer moments of respite amidst the urban energy.

The neighborhood is a cultural mosaic, home to the Ayala Museum, the refreshed Greenbelt and Glorietta malls, and the vibrant Salcedo and Legazpi weekend markets. A dynamic mix of restaurants, cafés, and wellness centers enriches daily life, while top-tier schools, hospitals, and business hubs are just minutes away.

Adding to the vibrancy are community events—Dia Del Libro, Goût de France, art fairs, food festivals, Pawsome Pet Fairs, Street Meets, fun runs, and even pickleball tournaments—many held during Car-Free Sundays on Ayala Avenue, when the city transforms into a playground of culture, wellness, and shared experiences.

Rooted in Purpose, Designed for the Future

Beyond its refined lifestyle, Laurean Residences champions a vision of sustainability and future-readiness. The development will be EDGE-certified, with features such as resource-efficient systems and EV charging stations and EV-ready parking slots. It forms part of the 1.3-hectare pedestrian-friendly, mixed-use district, where life is designed to be inclusive, walkable, and thriving.

“Laurean Residences continues Ayala Land Premier’s tradition of creating enduring communities that embody modern luxury in the Philippines,” Jugo emphasizes.

As Ayala Land continues to shape the future of Makati, Laurean Residences emerges as a testament to its enduring legacy: spaces that elevate everyday life, where luxury is not simply a matter of design, but of the lives it empowers.

 

Spotlight is BusinessWorld’s sponsored section that allows advertisers to amplify their brand and connect with BusinessWorld’s audience by publishing their stories on the BusinessWorld Web site. For more information, send an email to online@bworldonline.com.

Join us on Viber at https://bit.ly/3hv6bLA to get more updates and subscribe to BusinessWorld’s titles and get exclusive content through www.bworld-x.com.

1...1,0701,0711,072...14,272Page 1,071 of 14,272
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
© 2024 BusinessWorld Publishing.
All rights reserved.
Read our privacy guidelines
Facebook Instagram Linkedin X Youtube