Security Bank joins DTI, regional partners to strengthen cross-border startup collaboration

(From left) Palida Artispong, Acting Managing Director, Krungsri Finnovate Co., Ltd.; John Cary L. Ong, Executive Vice President and Wholesale Banking Segment Head, Security Bank Corporation;  Hirofumi Umeno, Board Director, Executive Vice President and Alliance Segment Head, Security Bank Corporation; Nylah Rizza Bautista, Assistant Secretary and Supervising Head, Department of Trade and Industry-Competitiveness and Innovation Group; Bunsei Okubo, First Executive Vice President and Japanese Corporate Banking Head, Bank of Ayudhya Public Co., Ltd.; Masami Yoshitake, Managing Director and Country Head – Philippines, MUFG Bank Ltd.; and Atsushi Ishihara, Deputy CEO, MUFG Innovation Partners Co., Ltd., at the MOU signing held at Security Bank Centre in Makati City 

Security Bank Corporation, together with Bank of Ayudhya Public Company Limited (Krungsri), MUFG Bank Ltd., MUFG Innovation Partners Co., Ltd. (MUIP), Krungsri Finnovate Company Limited (KFIN), and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen inbound and outbound startup collaboration and advance innovation across the region.

“At Security Bank, this commitment reflects our BetterBanking promise—to create value, deliver meaningful experiences, and open doors for businesses to thrive,” said Hirofumi Umeno, Director, Executive Vice President and Alliance Segment Head. “Our shared goal is to turn collaboration into real outcomes that strengthen industries and fuel long-term growth across the Asia and globally.”

Love is in the Air: The Legendary Hot Air Balloon Fiesta Returns to New Clark City on February 13–15, 2026!

Experience riding hot air balloons this Valentine’s weekend—no need to fly abroad—while enjoying drones, paragliders, live music, and more at the Philippines’ longest-running, sky-high adventure!

Love is truly in the air! This Valentine’s weekend, couples and adventure seekers alike can soar above New Clark City, Tarlac, aboard colorful hot air balloons. From February 13–15, 2026, the skies come alive with breathtaking views, magical balloon rides, and unforgettable moments that will make your Valentine’s weekend truly one to remember.

Three Days of Sky-High Adventure
The 26th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta (PIHABF) is back and bigger than ever! For three full days, New Clark City transforms into a playground for lovers of flight and fun. Hot air balloons, drones, paragliders, tech marvels, cars, delicious food, and live music all come together for an adventure you have to see to believe.

Set your alarms early for a magical weekend. Balloons take to the skies as early as 6:30 AM, offering a breathtaking morning spectacle as they lift off one by one against the rising sun. Arrive early, look up, and witness one of the most beautiful sights of the Fiesta unfold right before your eyes.

TP opens second Davao site, strengthens Mindanao footprint with state-of-the-art, scalable hub

TP officially opens its 26th site in the Philippines with the launch of TP Davao Uprise situated at the Felcris Centrale in Davao City.

TP in the Philippines (formerly Teleperformance), a leader in digital business services, today announced the launch of TP Davao Uprise, its second site in Davao City and fourth across Mindanao, reinforcing the company’s long-term commitment to regional growth, talent development, and inclusive job creation in the Philippines.

Located at The Uprise at Felcris Centrale Mall, a PEZA-accredited development, the new site currently serves global and domestic markets and scalable for expansion as needed. Apart from the operations areas, the site also houses a recruitment hub and several recreational spaces including a fully equipped gym, a karaoke room, and a basketball half court.

“The launch of TP Davao Uprise reflects our confidence in Davao City as a strategic growth hub and in Mindanao as a critical pillar of the country’s IT-BPM industry,” said Rahul Jolly, CEO of TP in the Philippines. “With scale-ready infrastructure, deep talent pool, and strong public–private collaboration, Davao continues to enable us in TP to deliver world-class service to our clients.”

Power to Play, Stream, and Multitask All at Once with the new Samsung Galaxy A07 5G

The latest addition to the Galaxy A series provides access to greater convenience with an integrated core AI experience, improved durability, and enhanced performance  

Samsung Electronics today announced the launch of the new Galaxy A07 5G, with this latest addition housing a larger battery capacity in the A Series line-up, a 6 nm processor for faster loading, and AI features including Google Gemini^[1], and Circle to Search^[2] with Google to deliver more ease and convenience through mobile experiences. And with a dual camera to improve storytelling on social media, smoother refresh rates, and a brighter screen, users can enjoy and immerse themselves in their favorite content wherever they are.

Enjoy better entertainment experiences for longer

Stream movies and TV shows and enjoy content for hours day and night with the Galaxy A07’s 6,000mAh battery built for long-lasting performance^[3]. With a 120% larger battery capacity^[4], users can stay connected on the go for much longer and enjoy extended video playback time without worrying about recharging.

An immersive 6.7”^[5] edge-to-edge view combined with a 120Hz^[6] refresh rate enables smoother transitions and seamless scrolling so users can fully dive into their favorite content and look forward to elevated viewing experiences. Meanwhile, the High Brightness Mode delivers up to 800^[7] nits so the watching experience stays clear and bright, even when you’re outdoors and under sunlight.

Security Bank partners with Philippine Retirement Authority to offer retirees priority banking privileges and special Time Deposit rates

Pictured (L-R): Eric Buensuceso, FVP and Branch Banking Luzon Distribution Region Head, Security Bank; Leslie Y. Cham, EVP and Branch Banking Group Head, Security Bank; Roberto Z. Zozobrado, Chief Executive Officer and General Manager of the Philippine Retirement Authority; and Virna Liza Alamar, FVP and Branch Banking Luzon Distribution Area Head, Security Bank

Security Bank Corporation (PSE:SECB) has formalized a partnership with the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) to provide foreign and returning Filipino retirees applying for the Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV) with priority banking privileges and access to a special Time Deposit rate—delivering a more seamless and secure banking experience aligned with the Bank’s BetterBanking commitment.

Under the partnership, SRRV applicants may open their Security Bank accounts as part of the SRRV process and enjoy an exclusive Time Deposit (TD) rate, premium onboarding support, and priority relationship management. Account opening and servicing are handled at the Bank’s Reposo-J.P. Rizal Branch in Makati City, the Bank’s dedicated hub for SRRV retirees.

HONOR X9d 5G Smashes First-Day Sales, Up 160% Over HONOR X9c 5G

 

Talking about smashing! HONOR X9d 5G just smashed the sales record of its predecessor

Leading global AI smart devices provider HONOR Philippines had a fantastic start to the year with the launch of its newest smartphone, the HONOR X9d 5G. The brand kicked things off on January 1 with its viral drop tests, followed by the star-studded HONOR X9d 5G vs. Tesla Cybertruck experiential event, culminating in its grand launch at the Grand Hyatt. On January 24, the HONOR X9d 5G officially hit stores nationwide with a record-breaking first-day sales performance, posting a 160% increase compared to its predecessor, the HONOR X9c 5G.

Upgrade for the New Year: Lenovo Offers Up to ₱5,000 Pluxee Vouchers This Chinese New Year

Welcome the new year with smarter technology as Lenovo ushers in the season with its Lenovo Chinese New Year Promo 2026, offering exciting rewards for customers upgrading their devices.

From February 1 to March 31, 2026, customers who purchase select Lenovo laptops and desktops can enjoy corresponding freebies, including Pluxee vouchers worth up to ₱5,000 or a Canon Pixma MG2570S multifunction printer, depending on the model purchased.

Upgrade for the New Year and Get Rewarded

Designed to help users start the year on a smarter note, the promo covers a wide range of Lenovo devices across the IdeaPad, Yoga, LOQ, and Legion series. Customers who purchase participating models are entitled to Pluxee gift cards ranging from ₱1,000 to ₱5,000, which will be sent via SMS upon successful redemption.

Meanwhile, customers purchasing select IdeaCentre desktops and AIO models will receive a Canon Pixma MG2570S multifunction printer, provided instantly upon purchase from participating authorized Lenovo resellers.

SB19 turns monumental concert into lasting legacy in Simula At Wakas: Kickoff Concert Album

Recorded across the two-day concert in Philippine arena, the 19-track live album captures a defining moment in P-Pop history

P-Pop phenomenon SB19 has released Simula At Wakas: Kickoff Concert Album, a live recording of tracks from their two-day concert at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan on May 31 and June 1, 2025. The album redefines a new era of boldness and ambition in SB19’s music, further elevated by the group’s undeniable world-class performance.

Mixed and mastered by Radkidz, with live arrangements by Jem Florendo, the 19-track album features live performances of songs from Simula At Wakas (2025), Pagtatag! (2023), and Pagsibol (2021), alongside the concert version of the fan-favorite single “Moonlight.”

Originally featuring US-based producer/DJ Ian Asher and Chinese electronic producer Terry Zhong, “Moonlight” takes a more restrained, but more soulful direction in its live iteration. For this version, the subdued arrangement places SB19’s vocals front and center, offering a more intimate take on the track.