Newsletter: Samsung launches Smart Wash Business Solutions to support growth of commercial laundry sector in the Philippines

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In its bid to support the development of more efficient, scalable and technology-driven commercial laundry operations in the Philippines, Samsung Electronics Philippines officially introduced its Commercial Laundry Washer and Dryer via Smart Wash Business Solutions at the SMX Convention Center last March 25, 2026.

Newsletter: FAIRMONT HOTELS & RESORTS UNVEILS NEW GLOBAL CAMPAIGN “WELLNESS WITHOUT WALLS” FEATURING KYLIAN MBAPPÉ AS ITS AMBASSADOR

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Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, the global luxury hospitality brand, today unveils "Wellness Without Walls,” a landmark global campaign that redefines well-being beyond the confines of a traditional gym or spa, featuring world-renowned footballer Kylian Mbappé as Fairmont's first ever Wellness Ambassador. Fairmont is debuting a cinematic brand film that brings this unbound vision to life through the lens of one of the world's most recognizable athletes, an individual whose own approach to performance, recovery, and longevity mirrors Fairmont's philosophy. 

Newsletter: SB19 expands global reach with BE:FIRST collaboration “TOYFRIEND”

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Global P-Pop powerhouse SB19 continues its global ascent with “TOYFRIEND,” a cross-border collaboration with top-selling Japanese group, BE:FIRST. The clubby R&B track serves as the latest single from their sophomore studio album, Wakas At Simula—released under Sony Music Entertainment.

Newsletter: Daily monitoring of satellite data shows air quality in Metro Manila has not returned to normal levels

[THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE]

The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) has done daily monitoring of satellite data since the Navotas landfill fire reportedly broke out on 10 April 2026. As of Thursday (23 April), the Bureau of Fire Protection has reported “smoldering conditions” onsite and satellite data show that air quality in Metro Manila has not returned to normal levels. Daily monitoring of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentration over Metro Manila (taken every 8:45AM), shows that levels are still higher than on 6 April, prior to the fire. Nitrogen dioxide is a pollutant produced from burning and is a component of smoke.

Newsletter: Philippine Tech Show 2026 Concludes with Strong Industry Participation and a Shared Vision for the Digital Future

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The Philippine Tech Show 2026 successfully concluded its four-day run at the SMX Convention Center Manila, bringing together thousands of industry leaders, innovators, policymakers, and technology enthusiasts to explore the future of digital transformation in the Philippines.

Newsletter: PhilSA, Hungarian University MATE forge partnership for agricultural research, education, and tech development

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PhilSA Ad Interim Director General Gay Jane P. Perez, Ph.D. (seated left) and MATE Rector Csaba Gyuricza (seated right) sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), witnessed by PhilSA Deputy Director General for Space Science and Technology Marc Caesar R. Talampas (left-most) and Her Excellency Titanilla Tóth, Ambassador of Hungary to the Philippines (right-most)

The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) and the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (MATE) formalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on 20 April 2026 to advance agricultural research, education, and technology development. The agreement was signed by PhilSA Ad Interim Director General Dr. Gay Jane P. Perez and MATE Rector Dr. Csaba Gyuricza.

Newsletter: Culture Wars Bring Arena-Ready Alt Rock Gold on Debut Album Don’t Speak, Out Now via AWAL as Global Momentum Surges

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Photo by Elliott Lee

Texas-native alt-rock band Culture Wars have released their highly anticipated debut album, Don’t Speak, out now via AWAL, marking a defining moment for one of alternative music’s fastest-rising acts. The album arrives on the heels of a breakout year that saw the band achieve their first Top 20 Alternative Radio hit with “It Hurts,” surpassing 66 million global streams, and sell out their first U.S. + UK headline tour, while also performing arena dates alongside Maroon 5, Keane, Wallows, and LANY.

Newsletter: Herbalife launches “Better Every Day” campaign, names top PH pickleball players Leander Lazaro and Sarah Jane Lim as ambassadors

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As more Filipinos look for ways to build healthier routines into everyday life, Herbalife, a global health and wellness company, community and platform, has launched its “Better Every Day” campaign in the Philippines, turning to pickleball to show how small, consistent choices can lead to lasting wellness. 

Newsletter: Satellite image on Thursday, 16 April, shows 28.6 hectares burned in Navotas landfill fire

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This image shows the estimated burned area affected in the Navotas landfill fire, which reportedly broke out on 10 April 2026. As of Thursday (16 April, 10:33AM), six days after the fire reportedly broke out, there was an estimated 28.58 hectares (~285,800 sqm) of burned area (delineated in red). For comparison, this area is slightly larger than the Quezon Memorial Circle. 

Newsletter: Boracay’s Quiet Advantage: How Xpress Super App Is Rewriting Island Mobility

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Xpress Boracay is transforming island travel with a seamless, app-based mobility system built around green electric e-trikes. Visitors can book rides with fixed pricing, cashless payments, and built-in insurance for both passengers and drivers. With the launch of XPASS, travelers can skip multiple queues by paying environmental fees, boat fares, terminal fees, and even their e-trike ride in one go—then simply scan a QR code upon arrival. Foreign tourists can use international credit cards directly in the app, unlocking smoother spending and higher driver earnings. Add flexible e-trike day tours, and Boracay becomes a model for modern, frictionless tourism mobility.

Newsletter: Tablecross Inc. and KOKUBU Group Corp. introduce sake tour on byFood, a new way to taste the local culture

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As international travel to Japan reaches unprecedented levels, a new premium experience is inviting global travelers to discover Japan through one of its most iconic cultural traditions: sake.

Newsletter: Nearly Half of CRM Implementations Fail in the Philippines — New Report Reveals Why

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Philippine B2B companies are investing millions of pesos in Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platforms — and getting little in return. Global research estimates that between 47% and 70% of CRM implementations fail, and the problem is especially acute among small and mid-sized B2B firms in the Philippines, where teams of 2 to 30 salespeople routinely abandon newly purchased systems within weeks.

Newsletter: Mark Carpio writes the ending he never expected in new EP, Huling Pag-ibig

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OPM hitmaker Mark Carpio drops his highly anticipated new EP, Huling Pag-ibig—released under EMPIRE.PH Music and ONErpm. Marking a milestone in his 10-year career, the 4-track EP weaves themes of love, loss, and emotional closure into one cohesive sonic package. Both introspective and freeing, the project also serves as an ending to a well-loved music era—one that positioned Carpio as both a prominent balladeer of his generation and a gifted songwriter known for his poignant yet earnest storytelling. 

Newsletter: When Supply Outpaces Demand: Navigating Metro Manila’s Condo Market in a High-Rate Environment

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Metro Manila’s condominium market is entering a more complex phase - one defined by a growing imbalance between supply and demand, alongside the broader impact of rising interest rates and elevated operating costs. While residential development has remained active over the past several years, absorption has not kept pace, resulting in a visible build-up of available inventory across several submarkets.

Newsletter: Satellite data show smoke from Navotas fire reached as far as Bataan

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This map shows how far smoke spread in the aftermath of the Navotas landfill fire, which broke out at approximately 8PM on April 10, 2026. The time-lapse map shows hourly snapshots from 7:45AM (featured) to 3:45PM on the following day, April 11. Darker colors indicate higher levels of nitrogen dioxide, a proxy for smoke extent, which can be measured during daytime using satellite data.