(L-R): Ramon Rivero, Business Unit General Manager of Robinsons Sports, Entertainment and Recreation; Gerald G. Tambis, Head of Robinsons Destination Estates; Myra Paz Valderrosa-Abubakar, Department of Tourism (DOT) Undersecretary; Paolo Misa, Country Manager of PUMA Philippines; and Andrew Neri, Managing Partner of Runrio.
PHILIPPINES — PUMA gathered the Philippine running community at the 2026 PUMA Philippine Half Marathon Series kickoff, unveiling the brand-new "Deviate Route" in Bridgetowne through a special 5K community run. Designed as an optimized running track, the route will be available for an entire month and is tied to an official Strava route challenge. All month long, runners can head to Bridgetowne to conquer the course at their own pace and log their miles to compete in the online challenge with the rest of the running community.
Built stronger through every run with the PUMA Nitro Run Club
Runners from all over the city, including members of the PUMA Nitro Run Club, had the exclusive opportunity to experience the Deviate Route and lace up with the all-new Deviate NITRO™ 4. Attendees got to connect with fellow runners, share training tips, and feel the difference that elite cushioning brings to every run.
The launch of the “Deviate Route” is part of the 2026 PH Half Marathon Series kickoff event. Bringing the thrill of premier racing to more athletes across the country, the series will expand across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, hosting events in Manila, Clark, Iloilo, Cebu, Davao, and Cagayan de Oro.
PHILIPPINES – Today, VeritasPay supports a growing base of merchants nationwide, offering businesses a unified platform to accept multiple payment methods, including credit and debit cards, QR code payments, and other digital channels.
“At the point of sale, speed and reliability are critical to customer experience,” Christopher James Payne, President and CEO of VeritasPay said, underscoring the role of seamless transactions in driving both customer satisfaction and business performance.
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| VeritasPay nationwide expansion powers SME growth through digital payments |
Unified payments platform
VeritasPay enables merchants to accept payments across various touchpoints from physical point-of-sale (POS) terminals and mobile devices to online checkout pages and banking channels, through a single provider. This integrated approach simplifies operations for businesses managing multiple sales environments or branch locations, eliminating the need to work with separate payment providers and enabling more consistent transaction processing.
PHILIPPINES – Responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) is critical in driving inclusive and sustainable growth, as it can address persistent gaps in financial access and literacy, particularly in a mobile-first yet risk-exposed region like Southeast Asia. This was the key message of GCash, the country’s leading finance app and largest cashless ecosystem, as it joined policymakers and industry leaders at the 2026 National Innovation Day.
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| GCash chief data officer Sara Venturina takes the stage at the DepDev AGOS National Innovation Day at the Diamond Hotel Manila GCash pushes responsible |
PHILIPPINES — Watsons Philippines is celebrating its 185th anniversary with its biggest Nationwide Sale yet, offering massive discounts both in-store and online from May 14 to 18, 2026.
Gather your crew for pickleball, runs, and refreshing coolers to beat the heat
PHILIPPINES – This summer, your most-loved SM Supermalls turn up the energy with experiences designed for every kind of barkada. At the heart of it all is the SM Active Hub—a growing community of movers, players, and fitness enthusiasts—bringing together activities that let you truly Gala To The Max.
Dive into Summer Play with the SM Active Hub
The SM Active Hub brings the community together, where every step, sprint, and shared moment lets you Gala To The Max with a maxed-out experience at SM Supermalls.
The SM Active Hub sets the tone for a season filled with movement, connection, and fun. Fresh from celebrating its first anniversary with a series of activities across select SM malls last April 11 to 12, the community continues to build momentum with even more ways to stay active all summer long.
Whether you're picking up a new sport or leveling up your routine, the SM Active Hub brings together experiences that make every visit more dynamic and engaging—giving you more ways to Gala To The Max this summer.
Join the Pickleball Mania
Rally, compete, and connect at the SM Active Hub’s pickleball courts, where every match is a chance to Gala To The Max.
Pickleball takes center stage with a lineup of activities at SM Supermalls, from beginner-friendly clinics to regular tournaments and free-play sessions. Step onto the court, rally with fellow players, and enjoy the fast-growing sport in a lively and welcoming environment.
With guidance from experienced coaches, even first-timers can quickly get into the game, making every match an exciting way to connect and compete.
Thousands of participants gather at SM Mall of Asia Arena for the ASP Angels Walk for Autism 2026, demonstrating nationwide support for autism acceptance, accommodation and appreciation.
PHILIPPINES – The Autism Society Philippines (ASP), together with SM Cares and its partners, gathered 47,500 allies and advocates nationwide together at the ASP Angels Walk for Autism last April 26, 2026. The record-breaking attendance this year reflects the growing support for the Autism Community through collective programs and efforts done by SM Cares and the ASP in forging an Autism-OK Philippines.
For close to two decades, SM hosted the ASP Angels Walk as a celebration that aims to turn a long-standing advocacy into a meaningful celebration of inclusion, dignity, and hope. This year's celebration further expanded this advocacy by empowering communities through simultaneous walks across SM's most-loved malls nationwide.
“ASP Angels Walk reminds us that inclusion is about creating space, and more importantly, making people feel that they truly belong. At SM, we are honored to walk united with the autism community—their families and fellow advocates who have long shown us the power of courage and perseverance. This commitment is about pursuing transformative inclusivity: empowering communities until every person is seen, supported, and given the opportunity to thrive,” said Steven Tan, President, SM Supermalls.
United voices and shared purpose take center stage at ASP Angels Walk for Autism 2026, as Mr. Hans Sy officially cues the walk for inclusion.
SM Book Nook receives the ASP Autism Works Partner of the Year Award, represented by Ms. Hanna Carinna Sy, recognizing its commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for the autism community.
