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Holiday season imports have arrived early at busiest US port, executive says

IMAGE VIA THE PORT OF LOS ANGELES

LOS ANGELES — US retailers have wrapped up imports of holiday goods at least a month early in a bid to limit costs tied to President Donald Trump’s evolving tariff policies, the top executive at the nation’s busiest seaport said on Wednesday.

“Much of the year-end holiday cargo has already arrived and is working its way through the national supply chain system,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka.

The traditional retail-led holiday surge ahead of Christmas, known as the peak season, came early, he said.

Retailers account for about half of the volume at the Port of Los Angeles. In July, the port notched the highest total monthly cargo volume in its 117-year history with 1,019,837 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs) handled by dockworkers.

August total volume was 958,355 TEUs, down 0.2% from a year ago, at the Port of Los Angeles.

Seroka expects import volume to ease through the remainder of the year. September is shaping up to be roughly 850,000 TEUs, about 10% softer than a year earlier, he said.

Several trends are pointing to a ho-hum 2025 holiday season, forecasters said.

The National Retail Federation, representing companies like Walmart WMT.N and Target TGT.N, this month said it expected container imports to steadily decline for the remainder of the year due to rising US tariffs.

“Shifting trade policies continue to create uncertainty for businesses and consumers,” said Mario Cordero, CEO of the Port of Long Beach, which abuts the Port of Los Angeles.

That is contributing to slowing job growth and lingering inflation, which are making importers and consumers just a little more cautious, Seroka said.

US retail sales increased more than expected in August, marking the third consecutive month of gains against the backdrop of a tariff-fueled price increases.

But a PricewaterhouseCoopers survey released this month showed that holiday spending by US consumers is set for its steepest drop since the pandemic as shoppers — particularly Gen Z — pull back amid economic uncertainty. — Reuters

Grab launches Grab Asenso: A Digital Diskarte Program to accelerate regional MSME digitalization in the Philippines

Grab Philippines Vice-President for Cities CJ Lacsican, together with representatives from the Angeles City LGU, DICT, and the local merchant community, officially launched Grab Asenso: A Digital Diskarte Program. (L–R) Kuya Jeck’s Tapsilogan owner Ronnie Casupanan, DICT Pampanga Provincial Head Engr. Jonathan Solis, Grab PH Regional Manager for Northern Luzon Joe Mangiliman, Angeles City Vice-Mayor Amos Rivera, Grab PH Vice-President for Cities CJ Lacsican, Morgen Kaffee owners Miguel and Micaela Evangelista, and Grab PH Country Communications Head Arvi Lopez

Grab today launched Grab Asenso: A Digital Diskarte Program, a nationwide push to speed up the digital shift of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) outside Metro Manila. The program combines a multi-city Learning Caravan with the rollout of mobile-first merchant tools inside the GrabMerchant app, giving entrepreneurs practical skills and plug-and-play infrastructure to grow online.

MSMEs are the backbone of Philippine commerce — 99.59% of all establishments and roughly 65% of jobs — yet many are still early in their digital journey. The country’s shift to cash-lite is now mainstream — 57.4% of retail payments by volume and 59% by value were digital in 2024, driven by QR PH and instant transfers — making merchant readiness urgent for inclusive growth.

Supported by the local government units, DICT Regional Office, and Grab merchant-partners, the inaugural leg kicked off in Angeles City and will expand to Cavite, Baguio, Bohol, Dumaguete, Iloilo, Bacolod, and Cagayan de Oro in the coming months.

Grab Philippines Vice-President for Cities CJ Lacsican shares, “Progress happens when every entrepreneur, regardless of business size, can fully participate in the digital economy. Grab Asenso goes beyond seminars. We pair hands-on, mobile-based learning with ready-to-use tools — marketing, payments, logistics, and an AI-copilot — so MSMEs can find consumers, run leaner operations, and scale their business faster. When small businesses thrive, supply chains strengthen, jobs multiply, and local economies become more vibrant and more resilient.”

Grab Philippines Vice-President for Cities CJ Lacsican

The Grab Asenso Program has also earned the endorsement of the DICT, with Director of the ICT Industry Development Bureau Emmy Lou Versoza-Delfin underscoring the program’s alignment with the agency’s digital livelihood agenda. “The Department of Information and Communications Technology is deeply honored and excited to be a part of the Grab Asenso Learning Caravan. This initiative is more than just an event; it’s a testament to our shared belief in the power of digital technology to transform lives and build a brighter future for the Philippines. Grab Asenso is a powerful display of digital bayanihan — a modern-day take on our cherished tradition of community cooperation. The DICT and our valued private sector partners like Grab have come together to bridge the digital divide and bring opportunities directly to your doorstep.”

What’s different about Grab Asenso

Unlike training-only initiatives or tools-only platforms, Asenso links three essentials in one track: skills + tools + access to demand.

Asenso Learning Caravan: Mobile-First Capacity Building

Designed for real-world use on a smartphone, the Caravan delivers concise modules that MSMEs can apply same-day:

  • Mobile-First Digital Marketing. Make and measure social posts, promos, and storefront updates directly from a phone; use basic analytics to improve reach and repeat orders.
  • AI 101 for MSMEs. Work with prompt templates to draft product descriptions, promo captions, menu updates, and basic customer insights in minutes — inside GrabMerchant.
  • Financial Growth Planning. Use payout data to set weekly targets, track unit economics, and manage cash flow for healthier working capital.

This approach addresses the adoption gap: 77% of Filipino MSMEs want to use more digital tools, but only 16% actively do so, largely due to skills and perceived complexity — precisely the friction points Asenso removes.

Asenso Tools: Practical Infrastructure Embedded in the Grab Merchant app

  • Payment Solutions: Tap & Scan To Pay turns any NFC-enabled Android phone or merchant device into a checkout terminal — accepting tap-to-pay cards and QR PH. Quick activation, competitive fees, seamless payouts, and tap-to-reconcile reports help cash-flow discipline. Registered merchants are also automatically enrolled in the Income Protection Coverage, which safeguards daily revenue against calamity-related disruptions. The rise of merchant QR acceptance and SoftPOS globally underscores the timing. The technology will mark its first pilot rollout in the country in Angeles City starting Q4 2025.
  • Grab Merchant AI Assistant (BETA) is a built-in AI copilot that suggests actions from context (e.g., “run a rainy-day bundle,” “reorder best-sellers”), and surfaces simple customer trends — with multi-language support to lower the learning curve.

Together, these tools lower entry barriers and speed time-to-impact for thin-margin entrepreneurs, helping merchants reach Grab’s highly active user base.

Public-Private Alignment

Grab Asenso is a flagship public-private partnership program, designed as a Digital Diskarte Program to accelerate the digitalization of livelihoods and enterprises across the Philippines. Endorsed by agencies like the DICT and local governments, the program aligns with national priorities on digital entrepreneurship and inclusive growth — ensuring that MSMEs and traditional transport professionals gain both the skills and the tools to thrive in a fast-changing economy.

“Grab Asenso solidifies our covenant with government and communities: that progress in the digital economy must be shared, inclusive, and within reach of every entrepreneur, in every city,” Lacsican adds.

 

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Meta launches smart glasses with built-in display, reaching for ‘superintelligence’

Meta on Wednesday launched $499 Oakley-branded smart glasses. Screenshot from Meta website

MENLO PARK, California – Meta Platforms on Wednesday launched its first consumer-ready smart glasses with a built-in display, seeking to extend the momentum of its Ray-Ban line, one of the early consumer hits of the artificial intelligence era.

CEO Mark Zuckerberg showed off what he called Meta Ray-Ban Display, although some demos of the new technology did not go as planned, with a call to the glasses failing to go through, for instance.

“I don’t know what to tell you guys,” Zuckerberg said. “I keep on messing this up.” The crowd applauded.

Meta has tasted success with its smart glasses, and Zuckerberg described them as the perfect way to expand toward the ‘superintelligence’ promised by artificial intelligence, a concept where AI surpasses human intelligence in every possible way.

“Glasses are the ideal form factor for personal superintelligence, because they let you stay present in the moment while getting access to all of these AI capabilities that make you smarter, help you communicate better, improve your memory, improve your senses, and more,” Zuckerberg said.

The new Display glasses have a small digital display in the right lens for basic tasks such as notifications. They will start at $799 and be available on September 30 in stores.

The launch at Meta’s annual Connect conference for developers, held at its Menlo Park, California, headquarters, is its latest attempt to catch up in the high-stakes AI race.

While the social media giant has been at the forefront of developing smart glasses, it trails rivals such as OpenAI and Alphabet’s GOOGL.O Google in rolling out advanced AI models.

Zuckerberg has kicked off a Silicon Valley talent war to poach engineers from rivals and promised to spend tens of billions of dollars on cutting-edge AI chips.

The new glasses come as Meta is facing scrutiny over its handling of child safety on its social media platforms.

Reuters reported in August that Meta chatbots engaged children in provocative conversations about sex and race, while whistleblowers said earlier this month that researchers were told not to study the harmful effects of virtual reality on children.

Meta also unveiled on Wednesday a new pair of Oakley-branded glasses called Vanguard aimed at athletes and priced at $499. The device integrates with fitness platforms such as Garmin and Strava to deliver real-time training stats and post-workout summaries and offers nine hours of battery life. It will be available starting on October 21.

It also updated its previous Ray-Ban line, which does not have a built-in display but now offers almost twice the battery life of the earlier generation and a better camera at $379, higher than the previous generation’s $299 price.

All the devices have existing features such as Meta’s AI assistant, cameras, hands-free control and livestreaming to the company’s social media platforms including Facebook and Instagram.

While analysts do not expect the Display glasses to post strong sales, they believe it could be a step toward the planned 2027 launch of Meta’s “Orion” glasses. Meta unveiled a prototype of that last year and Zuckerberg described it as “the time machine to the future.”

“It wasn’t long ago that consumers were introduced to AI on glasses and in recent quarters brands have also begun to include displays, enabling new use cases,” said Jitesh Ubrani, research manager for IDC’s Worldwide Mobile Device Trackers.

“However, consumer awareness and product availability of AI glasses with display remains limited. This will change as Meta, Google, and others launch products in the next 18 months.”

IDC forecasts worldwide shipments of augmented reality/ virtual reality headsets and display-less smart glasses will increase by 39.2% in 2025 to 14.3 million units, with Meta driving much of the growth thanks to demand for the Ray-Bans it makes with EssilorLuxottica. — Reuters

Joint Foreign Chambers to present Arangkada Lifetime Achievement Award to former Secretary Rene Almendras at the 2025 Arangkada Philippines Investment Forum

The Joint Foreign Chambers of the Philippines (JFC) will present the Arangkada Lifetime Achievement Award to former Secretary Rene Almendras during the Arangkada Philippines Investment Forum on Sept. 25-26, 2025, at the Marriott Grand Ballroom in Pasay City. This 14th annual high-level forum will convene 500 top leaders from government, business, civil society, academe, and media to promote deeper investment and economic growth in the Philippines. The award presentation is scheduled for 11:45 a.m. on Sept. 25, and will be followed by an acceptance speech from Rene Almendras.

The annual Arangkada Lifetime Achievement Award honors a person who has, in the public, private, and/or nonprofit sector(s) over a period of at least 25 years, contributed to significant and enduring improvements in the conditions and environment for business in the Philippines. With this award, the JFC acknowledges Rene Almendras’ vast experience in both the private and public sectors, including as Secretary of Energy, Cabinet Secretary and Secretary of Foreign Affairs, President of the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP), Private Sector Representative to the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC), and in various senior leadership roles at the Ayala Group, Citibank, Aboitiz Group, and Manila Water. He has received multiple awards and recognitions, including the Order of Lakandula, Rank of Gold Cross Bayani, a Presidential award and the highest honor given to a civilian by the Republic of the Philippines, for his exemplary service.

On receiving the award, Mr. Almendras said:

“I consider it a distinct privilege and honor to be acknowledged by the Joint Foreign Chambers with this Lifetime Achievement Award. We as a nation are fortunate that foreign businesses are here invested in our country and well-organized through the foreign chambers, who have all united in the pursuit of accelerating economic development. Arangkada as an aspiration brings all of us in the business and private sector working with the government for the benefit of the Filipino people.

I am excited to participate in this year’s forum, where I hope to share the urgent need for an Economic Security perspective to deal with the very recent global shifts and trends referred to as the new age of geo-economics. The new realities we face require even more what JFC and Arangkada espouse: investment promotion and public-private partnership. The complexity of these new realities requires a holistic and comprehensive perspective which calls for the government and the private sector to come together to understand, analyze, and respond to global developments.

Even with the new global situation, we must continue to aspire for accelerated progressive businesses, industries, and the economy to benefit Filipinos. Pangarap natin umarangkada tayong lahat, walang maiiwan (Our dream is to Arangkada — accelerate forward — together. No one will be left behind).”

The presidents of the Joint Foreign Chambers issued a joint statement:

“Rene Almendras exemplifies the collaborative spirit of the Arangkada Philippines Project. His leadership in both the private and public sectors, and his commitment to advancing inclusive economic growth make him a truly deserving recipient of this recognition. We are excited to officially honor him at the Arangkada Forum on Sept. 25.”

This year’s Arangkada Forum goes beyond traditional dialogue by offering a more immersive and interactive experience through sector-focused discussions, business networking, live exhibits, and on-the-ground investment tours. Day 1 (Sept. 25, 2025) of the forum will feature keynote addresses and plenary panels with prominent officials including Secretary Frederick Go, Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs and Chairperson of the Economic Development Group; Secretary Ralph Recto of the Department of Finance; and Director-General Ernesto Perez of the Anti-Red Tape Authority, among others. Sector-specific breakout sessions will follow in the afternoon, offering delegates the opportunity to gain insights into industry trends, reforms, and investment opportunities in key sectors, including agribusiness, infrastructure, manufacturing and logistics, tourism, critical minerals, creative industries, and IT-BPM (Information Technology-Business Process Management). Day 2 (Sept. 26, 2025) will feature business-to-business and business-to-government networking, interactive booth exhibits, and in-depth industry talks, providing a unique platform for direct engagement between investors, business leaders, and key government decision-makers.

Delegates may choose between a Regular Pass or the Immersive Investors Pass, the latter of which includes curated investment site tours, cultural experiences, and exclusive closed-door briefings with top officials and industry players.

To learn more and register, visit www.arangkadaphilippines.com/forum2025 or contact forum@arangkadaphilippines.com. Members of the JFC are encouraged to reach out to their respective chambers for special member discounts. Companies interested in visibility and branding opportunities may explore sponsorship packages, including booth sponsorships.

The 2025 Arangkada Forum is proudly supported by sponsors, including First Philippine Holdings, Mastercard, SGV, Ayala Corp., Capital One, Citi Philippines, Eastern Communications, International Container Terminal Services, Inc., Marubeni, Royal Cargo, Aboitiz InfraCapital Economic Estates, AboitizPower, AIG, BDO, Cargill Philippines, Converge Global Business, GHD, Meralco, OceanaGold, ACCIONA, KPMG R.G. Manabat & Co., and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. Manila Branch. The event is also supported by event and media partners, such as the Center for International Private Enterprise, Makati Business Club, Management Association of the Philippines, Association of International Shipping Lines, Inc., British Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Employers Confederation of the Philippines, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce (Phil), Inc., Foundation for Economic Freedom, German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, La Camara, Monde Nissin, Philippine Mining Club, Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Foundation, Inc., Stratbase Group, Swiss Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, US-ASEAN Business Council, Astoria Vacation and Leisure Club, Inc., Xperto, ANC, BusinessMirror, BusinessWorld, GMA Network, Inquirer.net, Malaya Business Insight, Philippine Daily Inquirer, and The Philippine Star.

About the Joint Foreign Chambers and Arangkada Philippines

The Joint Foreign Chambers (JFC) is a coalition of the American, Canadian, European, Japanese, and Korean chambers, as well as the Philippine Association of Multinational Companies Regional Headquarters, Inc. Arangkada Philippines is the major advocacy project of the Joint Foreign Chambers of Commerce that supports and promotes open international trade, increased foreign investment, and improved conditions for business to benefit both the Philippines and the countries the JFC members represent. Since 2010, the Arangkada Forum has been a leading platform for high-level dialogue between the private sector and the Philippine government.

 

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China’s defense minister urges greater unity to avoid ‘law of the jungle’

PEXELS-LARA JAMESON

BEIJING – China’s defense minister on Thursday urged greater efforts for global unity, warning against an increasingly divided world “defined by the rule of the jungle”.

Speaking to formally open the Beijing Xiangshan Forum on security, Dong Jun said the world was overshadowed by Cold War thinking, hegemony and protectionism.

“External military interference, seeking spheres of influence and coercing others to take sides will bring the international community into chaos,” Dong said, adding that the world was at another “crossroads” and had to choose dialogue over confrontation.

Dong’s remarks contained several veiled swipes at the United States and appeared more hawkish than his speech to open last year’s forum.

“An obsession with absolute superiority in military strength and a ‘might is right’ approach will lead to a divided world defined by the rule of the jungle and disorder,” Dong said.

A strong Chinese military would be a force for peace, he added.

Dong’s remarks follow recent speeches by President Xi Jinping against “hegemonism and power politics” and a large military parade in Beijing earlier this month that unveiled a host of new weapons.

His remarks come amid simmering tensions between China and the U.S. and its allies and partners over flashpoints across East Asia, including Taiwan and the South China Sea, as well as broader economic rivalries under the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump.

While saying that China was open to doing its part to uphold the international order, Dong said the People’s Liberation Army would never allow any Taiwan “separatist” attempts to succeed.

“The return of Taiwan to China is an integral part of the postwar international order,” he said, adding that it was ready “to thwart external military interference at all times”.

China claims Taiwan as its territory and has never renounced the use of force to seize it.

Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te and his government strongly object to China’s sovereignty claims, saying it is up to the island’s people to decide their own future.

Some 1,800 representatives from 100 countries, including officials, military personnel and scholars, are attending the annual three-day event, China’s official Xinhua news agency reported.

Most Western nations have sent relatively low-level diplomatic representatives to the forum, with some saying they are seeking to learn more about China’s ongoing military build-up and opaque military leadership.
The forum ends on Friday. — Reuters

DigiPlus strengthens player protection with surety bond for BingoPlus, ArenaPlus, and GameZone

In photo (L-R): Jasper Vicencio, AB Leisure Exponent, Inc. president; Eusebio Tanco, DigiPlus Interactive Corp. chairman; and Ana Evasco, PhilFirst chief operations officer

DigiPlus Interactive Corp., the country’s premier digital entertainment provider behind BingoPlus, ArenaPlus, and GameZone, today announced a landmark partnership with Philippine First Insurance Co., Inc. (PhilFirst), the country’s first domestic insurance company. Together, they have introduced the Philippines’ first-ever surety bond program for online gaming players — setting a new benchmark in player protection. The program takes effect immediately.

For players, this means more peace of mind every time they log in, as long as their eKYC (electronic Know-Your-Customer) information is up to date and they continue to play within the platform’s guidelines. Whether it’s a casual gamer or a loyal fan celebrating a big win, they can enjoy BingoPlus, ArenaPlus, and GameZone knowing their wallets and balances are even better protected.

Through this initiative, eligible players benefit from an added financial safeguard. The surety bond protects player balances of up to P1 million per player, without requiring customers to purchase a separate policy.

“DigiPlus is proud to be the first in the industry to roll out this level of consumer protection,” said DigiPlus Chairman Eusebio H. Tanco. “We are committed to putting our players first. With this surety bond, they can play confidently on BingoPlus, ArenaPlus, and GameZone, knowing that their funds are safeguarded.”

In photo (L-R): Jasper Vicencio, AB Leisure Exponent, Inc. president; Atty. Kristine delos Reyes, DigiPlus Interactive Corp. chief legal and compliance officer; Eusebio Tanco, DigiPlus Interactive Corp. chairman; Celeste Jovenir, Investor Relations, Corporate Communications and Sustainability VP; Ana Evasco, PhilFirst chief operations officer; and Dennis Yaw, DigiPlus Interactive Corp. head of Offline Operations

How does the DigiPlus surety bond work?

  •     Eligibility: Players must be eKYC-verified, have made at least one successful deposit, and be in good standing within the platform’s guidelines.
  •     Coverage: The surety bond safeguards player wallets and balances up to P1 million per player.
  •     Activation: Protection is in place immediately and applies automatically for all eligible players across BingoPlus, ArenaPlus, and GameZone.

This latest measure strengthens DigiPlus’ commitment to reliable customer service and protection, adding the surety bond to its 24/7 customer support and 130+ physical BingoPlus stores nationwide, which already serve as convenient and trusted outlets for players.

With the addition of the surety bond, DigiPlus continues to raise industry standards — delivering not only engaging and innovative gaming offerings but also a stronger guarantee of trust, security, and peace of mind for its customers.

 

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Dollar boost from Fed to weigh on Asian currencies, analysts say

A clerk counts US dollar banknotes at a currency exchange office in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Wednesday, March 2, 2022. Photographer: Dimas Ardian/Bloomberg

The Federal Reserve’s decision to cut interest rates by just a quarter point will help support the dollar and weigh on currencies across Asia, analysts say.

The dollar strength after the central bank’s announcement was broad based and Asian currencies are unlikely to escape the impact, according to Wells Fargo Securities LLC. The dollar could extend gains to 147 yen although long-term pessimism about the US currency may limit its upside, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank Ltd. says.

Here is a selection of comments from analysts:

Wells Fargo Securities LLC (Brendan McKenna, emerging market strategist in New York)
“The dollar strength that materialized post-FOMC was broad based and it’s tough to imagine Asia FX being excluded from that dollar rally, barring some new messaging from the Fed, which is unlikely. The Fed, and more so Powell in the presser, was a bit non-committal to additional cuts. ‘Risk management cut’ in particular I interpreted as somewhat hawkish and Asia FX may respond to that.”

“Some of the higher beta pairs might be most sensitive. So in that sense, the Korean won and Indonesian rupiah, and maybe to a lesser degree the Philippine peso. Given the latest direction of policy mix in Indonesia, the rupiah may be the most sensitive.

Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank Ltd. (Takeru Yamamoto, a trader in New York)
The dollar was sold immediately after the announcement because the FOMC had been expecting to make two more interest-rate cuts within the year, but “the dollar was bought back because only one cut is expected next year and Fed Chairman Powell’s press conference was perceived as somewhat hawkish.”

Although the dollar could rise to the 147 yen level following the current trend, “the outlook for future rate cuts is weighing on the market, and pessimism about the dollar remains strong, limiting upside potential.”

AT Global Markets (Nick Twidale, chief market analyst in Sydney)
“The Fed has largely gone in line with market expectations. So I think we will see a bit of follow-on from the US session today in Asia and really the response has been underwhelming, so we could be looking for some corrections in markets in the coming days.”

“Some investors were hoping that we were going to get a more dovish Fed that could open the way to further topside moves and we’ve just been given what the market already has priced in. I think we will need another catalyst to push for new highs and we haven’t got that from the Fed, so we could see some profit taking, especially in tech sector.

TD Securities Inc. (strategists including Jayati Bharadwaj in New York)
“We remain bearish the US dollar and see any technical US dollar bounces as good opportunities to sell. The rest of the world’s growth is holding up and seems to be in a better shape compared to the US. Combined with Fed easing, this can make for an active risk-on environment fueling gains in both risk and rate sensitive currencies, which are cheap — like the Japanese yen and Australian dollar.”

VanEck Associates Corp. (Anna Wu, cross-asset strategist in Sydney)
“This is arguably the most priced-in rate cut. It was proposed in the dot plot since June. However, it does mean that US equities have another reason to continue the climb. I think the impact on Japanese markets and the BOJ is rather limited now as it had been largely priced in. The main character this week in my head is the US-China trade talk on Friday.”

ANZ Group Holdings Ltd. (strategists including David Croy in Wellington)
“The New Zealand yield curve is likely to shift higher and steeper following moves in US Treasuries, but where we end up will depend on GDP data. Our sense is that markets expect a weak number, and it’s possible we see a bigger reaction to better data than softer data.” — Bloomberg

DMAP hosts 10th DigiCon to tackle personalization, customer engagement in ‘The Age of ‘i’’

The event is set to gather 2,000+ marketers, digital professionals to future-proof the industry

Celebrating a decade of digital marketing innovation, the Digital Marketing Association of the Philippines (DMAP), the leading organization known for its excellence and innovation in digital marketing, will set the stage for unlocking the next evolution of customer engagement at the 10th edition of the annual Digital Congress (DigiCon), with the theme, “The Age of ‘i’: The Power of Personalization,” to be held on Oct. 16 to 17, 2025, at the Manila Marriott Hotel, Pasay City, Metro Manila.

Now in its 10th year, the major digital convention will gather global and local industry experts, thought leaders, and technology pioneers to explore the complexities of personalization in an AI-driven world, unlocking strategies for scalable and impactful connections.

DigiCon ‘The Age of ‘i” 2025 will offer attendees opportunities to learn, interact, and collaborate through five focused tracks:

  • Innovation (AI)
  • Intelligence (Data Science)
  • Immersive (Retail and Activations)
  • Impact (Brand Building)
  • Integration (Business Transformation)

These tracks, along with various practical and immersive activities, aim to enable attendees to explore the latest trends and emerging technologies in personalized marketing, fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration among industry professionals.

“We are entering an era where personalization is paramount. This year’s theme, ‘The Age of ‘i,’ celebrates the transformative power of technology to create unique, meaningful connections with customers. In this rapidly evolving digital landscape, brands must navigate how to cultivate personal experiences in a connected world, driving stronger brand loyalty and effective customer experience. DMAP DigiCon 2025 will be the destination to empower digital marketers to navigate this era and explore the future of personalized experiences,” DigiCon 2025 Chair Alan Fontanilla said.

Delegates of this year’s event will also get the opportunity to obtain program certifications in partnership with the Certified Digital Marketer (CDM). This initiative aligns with DMAP’s mission to future-proof the industry by providing crucial insights and skills, empowering marketers to stay ahead of the curve in the digital age amid evolving consumer behaviors and rapid technological shifts.

“Filipinos are even more connected and are changing their habits digitally, so digital marketers must possess new levels of expertise and adaptability. DMAP is committed to leading the industry in navigating this complex landscape, providing the critical insights and skills necessary to thrive in an era of hyper-personalization. We continue to strive towards fostering an ecosystem where innovation thrives, and where professionals are equipped to shape the future of digital engagement,” DMAP President Miko David said.

Building on past successes, DigiCon ‘The Age of ‘i” 2025 expects to attract over 2,000 attendees from various sectors, including marketing, advertising, business, academia, media, and innovation.

To secure your spot and learn more about DMAP DigiCon ‘The Age of ‘i” 2025, you may visit https://www.digicon.com.ph or email conference@dmap.com.ph.

 

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Alagang GCash: Strengthening commitment to employee health with comprehensive cancer care benefits

Chief People Officer of Mynt, parent company of GCash, Robert Gonzales, at the launch of the Cancer Care Benefit for GCash employees

True to its mission of championing the well-being of its people, Mynt, the parent company of GCash, the Philippines’ leading finance super app, is enhancing its medical and financial support for its employees—reflecting a deep commitment to compassion and holistic care. 

As part of its Alagang GCash program and to further strengthen its health and wellness campaign, this partnership with AC Health aims to ensure that GCash Kabarkadas receive comprehensive cancer care, supporting them throughout their entire treatment journey. The Healthway Medical Network will also provide essential support for the program by offering a range of preventive care and treatment services to employees, including vaccinations and health screenings at their facilities.

Developed to redefine employee support, the Alagang GCash program provides holistic care to its workforce. This comprehensive initiative addresses every aspect of well-being—financial, physical, mental, emotional, and familial—and sets a new benchmark for employee benefits in the Philippine digital finance sector.

Paolo Borromeo, President and CEO of AC Health, and Martha Sazon, President and CEO of Mynt, the parent company of GCash, demonstrate their commitment to the Working with Cancer Pledge during the launch of new comprehensive cancer care benefit packages for GCash employees. Those who are diagnosed with cancer will receive a holistic healthcare package and financial support to aid their treatment and recovery.

“What we’re doing is we’re making our benefits better, especially for cancer care, so that we’re more worry-free. It’s our attempt to tell you that you’re not alone when these things happen,” said Martha Sazon, president and CEO of Mynt, the parent company of GCash. 

“At Mynt, we believe that caring for our people means supporting every part of their well-being — from health to financial security, and even emotional resilience. Through Alagang GCash and our partnership with AC Health, we want our employees to feel that they are never alone in their journey, especially during life’s most difficult battles,” Mynt Chief People Officer Robert Gonzales added.

The event brought together the Mynt leadership team and its partners to solidify its commitment through the Working with Cancer Pledge — from the cancer care standee to the ribbon pins worn proudly by its employees. The Working with Cancer Pledge rallies companies and organizations around the world to erase the stigma of cancer and create an environment where employees impacted by cancer feel supported in the workplace.

The new comprehensive cancer care benefit of Mynt includes a reimbursable allowance for cancer prevention and screening, building on the existing coverage for annual medical check-ups, vaccines, and wellness. In addition, the company will now cover any remaining cancer-related treatment and hospitalization expenses for employees that exceed their current HMO and critical illness benefits.

Employees diagnosed with cancer will also be granted an additional 60 paid leaves, while those with dependents who are battling this serious illness will be entitled to an additional 30 paid leaves so they can take care of them. These are in addition to their annual vacation leaves, sick leaves, and paid time off.

As part of its holistic approach to care, Mynt will provide access to a psychologist specialized in supporting cancer patients and employees with loved ones facing a cancer diagnosis, helping them navigate the emotional challenges and strengthen their mental well-being.

Mynt will also assign a case manager who can conduct home visits, as needed, to help patients with their recovery. Additionally, employees will have access to a pool of caregivers, if needed.

Employees diagnosed with terminal cancer may claim up to 100% of their life insurance benefit during their treatment journey. 

Through Alagang GCash, the company underscores its commitment to holistic employee wellness, ensuring that every Kabarkada is supported not just at work but in their overall health and well-being.

 

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Classes suspended in some areas due to Mirasol, transport strike

Classes in parts of Luzon and several Metro Manila schools were suspended on Thursday because of Tropical Depression Mirasol and a nationwide transport strike.

In Cagayan, Isabela, Albay, and Nueva Ecija, local governments called off in-person classes at all levels, while several towns in Pangasinan also suspended classes, based on separate announcements by their local governments.

The state weather bureau said in its 5 a.m. advisory that Mirasol was spotted 165 kilometers west of Calayan, Cagayan, packing winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 70 kph.

Tropical Wind Signal No. 1 was hoisted over Batanes, Babuyan Islands, the western portion of mainland Cagayan, Apayao, the northern portion of Abra, Ilocos Norte, and the northern portion of Ilocos Sur.

It said the cyclone was “less likely” to bring heavy rainfall over Cagayan, Isabela, Kalinga, Apayao, Abra, Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur. But scattered rains and thunderstorms were still expected over the Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley, Mimaropa, Western Visayas, Zambales and Bataan in the next 24 hours.

In Metro Manila, schools cited the transport strike as the reason for shifting to online classes. These included De La Salle Araneta University, Far Eastern University’s selected colleges, the National Teachers College and the University of Santo Tomas.

The University of the East and some schools in Manila and Caloocan likewise announced online classes for basic education. — Edg Adrian A. Eva

New Zealand economy contracts sharply, fuelling bets of steeper rate cuts

STOCK PHOTO | Image by Kerin Gedge from Unsplash

WELLINGTON – New Zealand’s economy shrank more than expected in the second quarter as construction remained in decline and global uncertainty weighed, increasing expectations of a steeper rate cut in October.

Official data out on Thursday showed gross domestic product (GDP) fell 0.9% in the second quarter from the prior quarter, worse than analysts’ and the Reserve Bank of New Zealand’s forecasts of a 0.3% fall.

New Zealand’s economy has contracted in three of the last five quarters.

Annual GDP decreased 0.6%, Statistics New Zealand data showed. The market had expected it to remain unchanged.

Following the weaker-than-expected data, two-year swap rates slid 10 basis points to 2.7290%, their lowest since early 2022. The kiwi dollar fell 0.5% to $0.5932 NZD=D3, well off an overnight peak of $0.6007.

The market is now pricing in a further 58 basis points of cuts to the official cash rate (OCR), up from 48 basis points before the GDP data was released and a 20% chance that the central bank will cut by 50 basis points in October.

In August, the central bank flagged two more rate cuts this year as it noted spending by households and businesses has been constrained by uncertainty, falling employment, higher prices for some essentials and declining house prices.

“The weaker than expected GDP outcome will no doubt encourage the RBNZ in its intentions to cut the OCR further this year,” Westpac senior economist Michael Gordon said in a note.

Westpac is now expecting the central bank to cut by 50 basis points in October and by a further 25 basis points in November.

Weakness in the economy was across the board with the construction sector remaining in decline, manufacturing hurt by slowing goods exports and the service sector remaining weak as tourism stagnates.

The economy has been further hurt by a decision by the United States in April to levy import tariffs on products from a range of countries including New Zealand. The tariff has since been set at 15%, above the 10% rate for goods from neighboring Australia.

IMPROVEMENT EXPECTED IN THIRD QUARTER
New Zealand’s Finance Minister Nicola Willis said international turmoil and uncertainty relating to tariffs clearly had an impact on firms’ and households’ willingness to make investment decisions.

But there are indications the economy has begun to turn the corner in the third quarter, with manufacturing and services indexes along with monthly employment and card spending data improving slightly.

ANZ Senior Economist Matthew Galt said in a note that signs that growth has returned in the third quarter, albeit in a muted manner, suggest the country will avoid another technical recession.

But Galt added that while the bar was higher at the end of a monetary policy cycle for outsized moves if data remained lackluster over coming weeks, a 50 basis point cut was absolutely a possibility. — Reuters

Globe Business calls industry to co-create PH’s digital backbone

L-R: Raymond Policarpio - VP and Head, Globe Business Strategy Management and Business Investments; Wong Kian Soon - Regional Sales Engineering Director, Ciena; Es Ortega - Director for NTG Common Infra Planning & Engineering, Globe Business; Carlo Malana - President and CEO, ST Telemedia Global Data Centres; and Cocoy Claravall - VP and Head for Globe Business Wholesale SAM

The Philippines is at a pivotal moment in its digital journey. Demand for speed, reliability, and reach is more urgent than ever. It’s clear that traditional infrastructure models can no longer carry the weight of what the country aspires to become: a regional hub for connectivity, cloud, and content. The problem isn’t ambition; it’s coordination. The very networks meant to connect people and ideas are often built in silos, but solo runs won’t win the future. It will be shaped by ecosystems that share, scale, and build together.

This vision of shared infrastructure sat at the heart of a breakout session during the 2025 Globe Business G Summit. The session, “Unlocking Powerful Connections to Fuel the Future of Philippine Infrastructure,” convened industry leaders to challenge the status quo. The objective was to co-envision a country where fiber grids, data centers, and cable systems no longer compete for territory. They issued a call for the industry to work in sync to serve the nation at scale.

Globe Business’ Wholesale Division, through Vice-President Cocoy Claravall, outlined this strategy in motion. From new Festoon loops in Luzon to expanded subsea capacity via the Philippine Domestic Submarine Cable Network (PDSCN) and Asia Link Cable, Globe presented a roadmap that places reach and transparency at the core. Central to this strategy is the Managed Optical Fiber Network (MOFN), a model that allows hyperscalers and carriers to tailor their connections without losing the benefits of a managed service. ProAssure, a proactive platform designed to preempt issues before they affect customers, was also discussed as part of this shift toward more intelligent and accountable infrastructure.

“Our role has expanded. We’re no longer just connecting endpoints anymore,” said Claravall. “We’re enabling ecosystems from subsea to cloud, from enterprise to end user. And that means building infrastructure that’s flexible and future-ready.”

Ciena’s Head of Sales Engineering in ASEAN, Kian Soon Wong, brought a technical lens to the discussion, demonstrating how MOFN and Managed Spectrum enable customers to move beyond fixed contracts and build networks to scale as needed around real needs. The model empowers clients to choose their own equipment, monitor network health in real time, and scale on demand, all while the operator handles the heavy lifting of deployment and maintenance.

“MOFN is about balance,” Wong explained. “It gives customers control without the operational burden, and gives operators like Globe a way to deliver more agile services. It’s a collaboration model — not just a tech solution.”

From the data center side, STT GDC Philippines CEO Carlo Malana spoke of how the country is gaining traction as a hyperscale destination. He pointed to STT GDC’s Cavite and Fairview campuses as proof points for hyperscalers looking to deploy AI and cloud workloads in-country.

“The runway is long and the momentum is building,” Malana said. “Philippine infrastructure is no longer aspirational, it’s operational. The question now is how we scale that responsibly and fast enough to meet demand.”

For Globe, the role of a telco is no longer just to connect, it’s to co-create. KD Dizon, Head of Globe Business, emphasized that this is not just a commercial opportunity but a national one.

“Infrastructure is more than physical assets, it’s about trust, alignment, and the will to build beyond our individual interests,” Dizon said. “If we want real digital progress in the Philippines, we need to co-create the grid that will carry it.”

The session closed with a Disruptor Dialogue featuring Claravall, Wong, Malana, and Globe’s Janice Ortega. The conversation dug deeper into what it would take for the Philippines to compete in a world shaped by AI and real-time applications: seamless interconnection, policy alignment, and joint investments across multiple players.

The message was clear: this is no longer a one-player game. Infrastructure must now be approached as a shared national grid. And the Philippines, with the proper coordination, is ready to lead it.

 

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.

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