Newsletter: Escaped flowerhorn fish threaten Laguna biodiversity, pose potential public health risks

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Danika Geronimo, Ateneo Research Communications

A hardy aquarium fish prized for its golden hue, the ornamental Flowerhorn cichlid (Amphilophus spp.) has become a problem for the residents of San Pablo City, Laguna: it is increasingly taking on an outsized role in both the natural ecosystem and local aquaculture operations in nearby Lake Sampaloc.

Researchers from the Ateneo de Manila University Department of Biology and the Ateneo Aquatic and Fisheries Resources Laboratory have documented the broad presence of Flowerhorn cichlids in the volcanic crater lake in San Pablo City, Laguna. The researchers say that this “fenced and feral” status is intensifying pressure on native biodiversity and posing potential risks to public health.

Sought after in the aquarium trade for their vibrant golden hue, Flowerhorn cichlids are becoming a concerning invasive presence in Lake Sampaloc. SOURCE: Gasmen, 2026.

Originally introduced through the aquarium trade, Flowerhorns reportedly escaped into the lake during a major typhoon, and fish assemblage surveys as early as 2016 had already documented their establishment. Researchers Hannah Nicole C. Gasmen and Dr. Janice A. Ragaza discovered that the species “are no longer merely escaped ornamental fishes, but have become integrated into local aquaculture through intentional retention and sale, indicating that human activities may continue to reinforce their persistence and spread.”

Newsletter: Sprout Solutions to Stage Annual State of HR Summit 2026 Focused on “Leading a People-First AI Transformation”

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Sprout Solutions, the Philippines' leading homegrown HR and payroll technology company, will hold the State of HR Summit 2026 on July 8, 2026, at Dusit Thani Manila, bringing together HR leaders, business executives, and people managers to discuss how organizations can accelerate performance with AI while remaining people-first.

Newsletter: Fueling Around the World: Your Grandmother Was Right — Traditional Foods Are Elite Sports Nutrition

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Every summer when the world's best soccer players take the field, the conversation turns to what they eat. Pre-match meals. Recovery shakes. Hydration protocols. And every year, a lot of fans come away with the same impression: elite sports nutrition is something foreign, something engineered, something that lives in a lab.

Newsletter: Team Philippines wins gold, places 6th overall at first Asia-Pacific AI Olympiad

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The eight-member Philippine national team won one gold, one silver, and two bronze medals at the first Asia-Pacific Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence (APOAI 2026), securing a historic tie for 6th place versus over a hundred of the best secondary school students from across 18 countries.

Newsletter: Rol3ert Releases Kodoku EP and “Aftertaste (feat. REJAY)” Music Video, Marking a Breakthrough Month Across Asia

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(Credit: Exciter Records)

Japanese singer-songwriter Rol3ert releases the official music video for "Aftertaste  (feat. REJAY)", the latest moment in a June that has seen him release his second EP Kodoku, perform his first-ever overseas solo headline show in Taipei, and receive a major industry award in Japan.

Newsletter: Blue Nest’s Digital Marketing Accelerator, A Soaring Success!

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Ateneo Blue Nest's Digital Marketing Accelerator Program successfully wrapped its run, and along with Keepital, the two are already looking ahead with a Startup Pavilion in the works to give Philippine startups an even bigger stage.

Newsletter: Ready, Set, Book! Trip.com’s Biggest 7.7 Sale Takes Off this July

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Dreaming of your next escape? Your holiday is closer than you think! Trip.com unveils its biggest travel price drop yet with the 7.7 Mega Sale, happening from July 7 to 10, 2026. Travelers can look forward to four days of incredible savings on flights and hotels, with exclusive deals to make every trip more affordable. 

Newsletter: After going viral, P-Pop girl group KAIA turns an exciting new page with “hulog”

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After captivating local and international audiences with the viral cover of “Takedown”—which has amassed more than millions of views across social media—and following the release of their fan-favorite single “Tanga,” emerging P-Pop powerhouse KAIA makes a triumphant comeback with “hulog,” their new single under Sony Music Entertainment.

Newsletter: UAE, US, and Canada-based OFW Kababayans celebrate 128th Independence Day with GCash Overseas

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Overseas Filipinos gather to commemorate the country’s 128th Independence Day with GCash Overseas.

Filipinos in the United Arab Emirates, the United States, and Canada celebrated the 128th Philippine Independence Day through a series of cultural, sports, and community activities in partnership with various organizations and GCash, creating opportunities for kababayans abroad to come together.

Newsletter: Steve Lacy releases new single “is it cool? (ft. SZA)”

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Photo credit: Gus Van Sant

Steve Lacy releases new single “is it cool? (feat. SZA),” the latest offering from his upcoming album Oh yeah?, out July 17, 2026 via RCA Records.

Newsletter: Symphonic Asia Pacific gathers partners and music industry stakeholders through Spotify Masterclass and artist showcase

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Symphonic Asia Pacific recently hosted two complementary initiatives centered on community building and industry education: the Spotify Masterclass and Symphonic Social Night. Bringing together Symphonic Distribution’s partner artists, labels, and creative stakeholders, the event took place on the very same day at Sari-Sari Bar last June 18, 2026.

Newsletter: Alsons Power's Sarangani Plant Remains Fully Operational Despite Another Strong Mindanao Earthquake

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Alsons Power's Sarangani Energy Corporation (SEC) continues to operate at full capacity despite the magnitude 6.6 earthquake that struck Mindanao on June 26, demonstrating the resilience of its facilities and the effectiveness of the restoration work completed following the magnitude 7.8 earthquake earlier this month.

Newsletter: Philippine Coding Camp Strengthens Leadership in Emerging Technology Education Through Regional and University Partnerships

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Philippine Coding Camp (PCC) continues to strengthen its position as a leading authority in emerging technologies and a premier technology education and capacity-building provider for companies, universities, government institutions, and education organizations.

Newsletter: Cebuana Lhuillier Bank Opens Yulo Branch, Strengthening Access to Inclusive Banking in Iloilo

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As Iloilo continues to grow as a dynamic commercial and residential hub, Cebuana Lhuillier Bank is further strengthening its presence in the region with the soft opening of its newest branch in Yulo. The new branch expands CL Bank’s nationwide network to 11 branches and marks the continued rollout of its co-located banking and pawnshop model, designed to make financial access more convenient, inclusive, and responsive to the evolving needs of Filipinos.

Newsletter: The Itchyworms bring the "Akin Ka Na Lang" tour to Hong Kong for the first time

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The Itchyworms are set to bring their highly successful “Akin Ka Na Lang” tour to Hong Kong on July 26, 2026, at The Wanch in Wan Chai.