'I have no doubt the justice and truth will prevail. Fighting for the hard right is worth it!' Erice says

• Rappler
• 2 gün, 20 saat, 30 dakika

The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) received an overwhelming response from government employees on the first day of the Digital Ginhawa Loan launch on Oct. 10, with 21,418 applications totaling ₱1.258 billion filed through the GSIS Touch mobile app. As of press time, 9,461 applications have already been approved or granted, representing a gross loan value of ₱565.7 million. GSIS expects the number of applications and approvals to increase further over the weekend as more members access the new digital loan service. The Digital Ginhawa Loan allows GSIS members to borrow up to ₱60,000 to purchase laptops, tablets, or smartphones to support productivity and online work. The loan carries a 6% annual interest rate, payable in 36 monthly installments, and can be applied for paperlessly via GSIS Touch. “This digital loan empowers our members to upgrade their tools for work and stay connected in the digital era, all in just a few taps through GSIS Touch,” said GSIS President and General Manager Wick Veloso. Qualified applicants include active GSIS members with permanent appointments who have no pending administrative or criminal cases, are not on leave without pay, and have no defaulted GSIS loans. Applications are certified online by the Agency Authorized Officer (AAO), and once approved, the proceeds are credited directly to the member’s GSIS eCard or ATM account. The loan is also covered by a Loan Redemption Insurance (LRI), which settles any remaining balance in case of the borrower’s untimely death, provided the account is in good standing. Veloso noted that the loan rollout supports GSIS’s continuing digital transformation efforts, emphasizing speed, convenience, and service accessibility for government workers nationwide. “By bringing our services online, we are ensuring that public servants can enjoy ginhawa wherever they are, without the need for paperwork or long queues,” he added. The Digital Ginhawa Loan is available exclusively via the GSIS Touch app, which members can download from the App Store or Google Play.

• Manila Bulletin News
• 2 gün, 20 saat, 30 dakika

Erik Spoelstra was 13 the last time the Olympics were held in Los Angeles, and he remembers what it was like watching those games on television. He’ll have a better view in 2028. READ: Erik Spoelstra named USA Basketball coach through 2028 The reins are yours, Coach Spo. Summers working with Coach Pop & Steve Kerr have set Spo up to lead the #USABMNT. pic.twitter.com/CzrO0wMGEA — USA Basketball (@usabasketball) October 14, 2025 USA Basketball made it official on Tuesday, announcing that Spoelstra, the longtime coach of the Miami Heat, has been confirmed by its board of directors as the […]... Keep on reading: Erik Spoelstra says coaching US Olympic team 'honor of a lifetime'

• Inquirer
• 2 gün, 20 saat, 31 dakika

Hyundai may not be the first company that comes to mind when it comes to robotics. After all, most Filipinos still think it is just an automotive brand. However, over in South Korea, this company has grown to become one of the country’s largest and most influential, with interests not just in automotive but also in steel manufacture, shipbuilding, and even banking. With so many industries (including rival car company, Kia) under its belt, it should come as no surprise that this mega-corporation is also at the forefront of robotics and artificial intelligence in Korea. What they’re developing could soon make its way to a factory or office near you. A helping hand for mechanics Perhaps closest to one of their most globally renowned industries is their latest invention, designed to make life easier for the mechanics that work on Hyundai vehicles. **media[50796]** This innovation is the X-ble Shoulder wearable robot. This device can increase workers’ efficiency and reduce musculoskeletal injuries. Developed by Hyundai Motor and Kia’s Robotics LAB, it was designed for overhead work, augmenting the user’s upper arm muscle strength and reducing the strain and burden on muscles particularly when working in this position for long periods. It works by generating an assistive force through its muscle compensation module. Best of all, there’s no need for a motor or battery. It does all this through a non-powered torque generation structure. It uses carbon composite and wear-resistant materials, just like in high-end vehicles, making it high strength but lightweight. As a result, users enjoy reduced shoulder load by up to 60 percent and less anterior/lateral deltoid muscle strain by up to 30 percent, improving quality of life for workers. We were even encouraged to try it ourselves. It feels like simply putting on a tool vest. When arms are raised, it feels like a colleague is simply helping to hold your arms up. Movements still feel natural and are, in fact, much lighter. **media[50792]** Though initially designed for mechanics, it’s evident this wearable robot has applications in many other fields, with construction, shipbuilding, aviation, and agriculture among those envisioned. Hyundai is already deploying this innovation in select automotive workshops as well as testing it in vineyards in rural Korea. Perhaps soon, we might see this in Hyundai and Kia workshop in the Philippines. Automating EV charging EV charging may not be a pressing concern here, but in more electrified countries, particularly like Korea, the act of plugging in your EV to charge can take up valuable time. As such, Hyundai has also sought to automate this simple task. Yet another one of their creations is the artificial intelligence (AI)-based electric vehicle (EV) automatic charging robots (ACRs). These robots are designed to find a car’s charging port, open the flap, and plug in the charger. By using cameras governed by AI technology, the robot can recognize the vehicle, find the flap covering the charging port, open it, then guide the charging cable toward the plug and initiate charging. **media[50794]** This act is one of the first steps toward automating the EV charging process. By doing so, EVs can be charged right up until their batteries are full and then disconnected once done so the robot can move on to the next vehicle that needs charging, saving on charging infrastructure, and power. Hyundai demonstrated a stationary model, however the goal is to make these robots mobile one day. These ACRs are already deployed at the Incheon International Airport Corporation (IIAC) with plans to expand to other airports, seaports, and railways. Robotic coffee delivery Fetching coffee is a task often imposed on interns and executive assistants, but Hyundai thinks this task can be automated too. That’s why they built DAL-e Delivery, a robot designed to revolutionize indoor autonomous delivery services. Coffee is the perfect testbed, being something highly in-demand in any office, but easy to spill if handled improperly. DAL-e Delivery was invented to provide reliable F&B and parcel dispatch services. **media[50795]** DAL-e Delivery is a podium-shaped robot with rounded corners. It can rotate on its own axis and travel up to just 1.2 meters per second. It’s equipped with the same autonomous driving technology in Hyundai’s cars to prevent it from bumping into walls and other people. Best of all, it was also programmed to use elevators, able to find its assigned elevator, know where to ‘stand’ to give other people room, as well as communicate with the elevator via the network to select a floor. Its services are simply called up via a mobile app. It can safely transport 16 cups of coffee or packages weighing as much as 10 kg. Finally, it uses a camera and facial recognition to only open its doors when it identifies the correct recipient. Let the machines do it These may all seem trivial tasks to many, but automating these simple matters are one of Hyundai’s solutions to making humans more productive at their assigned tasks. The goal is not to replace people with machines, but save their time by letting machines worry about the little things, so they can keep their attention on the bigger priorities. Wouldn’t it be nice not to get up from your seat just to get a coffee? Perhaps one day, that will be possible.

• Manila Bulletin News
• 2 gün, 20 saat, 31 dakika

Little did Rochelle Pangilinan know that some members of the audience would be saying “Get, get, aw!” — a popular line from SexBomb Girls — while she went up the stage to accept her Best Supporting Actress plum at the Cinemalaya awards night.  “Ang daming pinalaki ng SexBomb pala rito. Siyempre, kung malalaman ito ng grupo, matutuwa sila (I didn’t know that a lot of the people here grew up on SexBomb. Of course, if the group finds out, they will be so happy),” a laughing Pangilinan told reporters on the sidelines of the ceremony while excitedly holding her Balanghai […]... Keep on reading: After Cinemalaya win, Rochelle Pangilinan feels she's truly an actress

• Inquirer
• 2 gün, 20 saat, 31 dakika

MAXIMUM SEXINESS VS MAXIMUM HOTNESS Ngayong Miyerkules, sasalang sa hulaan ng top survey answers ang Maximum Hotness at Maximum Sexiness. Ang kanilang masayang hulaan at kulitan, abangan sa 'Family Feud,' 5:40 p.m. sa GMA! #FamilyFeudPhilippines #540NaFamilyFeudNa

• GMA Network
• 2 gün, 20 saat, 34 dakika

Bag charms have become a popular fashion accessory, one of the most identifiable ones being Labubu, whose popularity has turned its manufacturer, Pop Mart, into a billion dollar business. Closer to home, Lamumu Dolls Capiz, knitted dolls in the shape of popular creatures from folklore, have been taking over netizens’ feeds and hearts. The social enterprise is the brainchild of Jose Arcenas, who also owns Casita Juan resort in Roxas City, Capiz. “You can bring home something tangible from Capiz," he said in Taglish. “Tourists usually bring home food, but it’s gone after you eat it.” While the dolls were launched a year ago as part of the resort’s CSR program, the reason behind it runs much deeper. “I’m into the arts, and I feel bad that it isn’t given focus in the Philippines,” he said. In his travels to neighboring countries, Arcenas noticed that they tended to push their own arts and crafts, which were always visually appealing. He wanted to apply this to his own province. **media[50789]** Inspiration hit during a trip to Vietnam, where he came across amigurumi dolls; small, stuffed crochet dolls which were also being sold in bazaars back home, usually in the shapes of popular Western characters. “I said to myself, how are we going to develop Filipino culture? The concepts should be based on what we have. It should have a core identity to draw from.” What would be identifiable to over 116 million people spread out over 7000 plus islands? Its creatures of folklore. “We enjoy Harry Potter and Hotel Transylvania, how come we cannot adopt our own?” Arcenas said. “I started with the aswang because it’s the most popular.” Serendipitously, Capiz is known as the birthplace of the aswang. There have been attempts to capitalize on this, most notably an aswang festival that was discontinued after protests from the Catholic Church. Arcenas was fully aware of this risk. His first doll was the manananggal because it is easily recognizable. Other designs included the kapre; the kataw (Visayan mermaid); and Voodoo dolls, the latter inspired by Siquijor, where they are sold as souvenirs. “We have the same tradition [and] culture… so I adopted it. It does not belong only to us; the myths belong to the entire country.” **media[50791]** Getting started wasn’t easy. Arcenas had to find crafters who could produce his designs and adhere to his desired quality. He currently works with anywhere from 15-25 crafters, and each doll is fully handmade. “Each product is very different depending on the person who is making it." The crafters are mostly mothers and students; folks who are looking for a side hustle that doesn’t interfere with their daily routines and doesn’t require them to leave their homes. Arcenas works with PDLs (People Deprived of Liberty) as well. “It provides a stable income for stay at home moms, pays tuition and [allowance for students], and offers a sense of purpose for women who are deprived of liberty.” The dolls have been well-received ever since their launch. Arcenas shared that they weren’t originally called Lamumu, and that the name was given by customers who thought the dolls resembled its international cousin. “Lamumu” is a combination of “Labubu” and “mumu,” the Tagalog word for ghost. The name stuck, and a good thing too, because it’s helped tremendously with brand recall. “They don’t have to buy it, but [it’s nice seeing] the satisfaction on those faces when they see that it\'s a Filipino concept that’s also Filipino made.” Capiz businesses and the local government support the concept as well. Lamumu dolls are now available online, at the Roxas City airport, and in select businesses along Baybay Beach. And the church? “Even priests buy from me!” Arcenas said. “It’s fulfilling because we’re also changing how we look at the aswang.” The business has since expanded its offerings. Dolls include ones in Panay Bukidnon (the local Indigenous People) and Filipiniana attire, as well as religious figures. Arcenas is happy because as Lamumus continue to gain popularity, they are associated with either Capiz in particular or the Philippines in general. “There’s a sense of ownership,” he said. “We have to recover from the colonial mentality so we can develop that Filipino pride that we always talk about. We have to be proud of our products as well.” With the dolls’ growing popularity, it’s inevitable that others will try to copy the business model. Arcenas welcomes this. "I\'d rather they copy a product based on a Filipino concept, not [foreign ones like] the Little Mermaid anymore.” His latest design is a doll in a gown inspired by the motif of the Philippine flag, a nod to the public’s growing dissatisfaction with current events. “My push has always been to love your country,” he said. “Buy local, promote local, love the Philippines.” (Photos courtesy of Jose Arcenas)

• Manila Bulletin News
• 2 gün, 20 saat, 34 dakika

The Philippines is set to secure approval for a $400-million (over ₱23-billion) World Bank loan by the middle of next year to help agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) improve their livelihoods. A project information document (PID) disclosed on Oct. 14 showed that the Washington-based multilateral lender’s board is scheduled to greenlight its investment project financing (IPF) for the Inclusive Partnerships for Agrarian Reform Communities (IPARC) initiative on June 15, 2026. To be implemented by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), the project aims to “increase ARBs’ access to agricultural assets or support services and agricultural income,” the document said. A separate World Bank environmental and social review summary (ESRS) said the IPARC project “operationalizes the priorities of the government of the Philippines by improving and modernizing support services, supporting the creation of cluster farms and linking them to ARB organizations (ARBOs) to achieve economies of scale in agricultural production, and promoting the creation of agri-businesses and market linkages.” The World Bank explained that ARBOs are “registered farmers’ organizations composed of a majority of ARBs either within or outside agrarian reform communities (ARCs).” “ARBOs are the primary vehicles by which the DAR and other agencies deliver support services, including inputs, rural infrastructure (farm-to-market roads, bridges, and irrigation), credit lines, capacity-building, and support for small enterprises,” it noted. The forthcoming World Bank IPF would cover the bulk of the total project cost of $468.1 million, while the Philippine government will shell out counterpart funding worth $68.1 million. As customary, the Department of Finance (DOF) shall borrow on behalf of the government. According to the PID, the new DAR project complements the ongoing Support to Parcelization of Lands for Individual Titling (SPLIT) Project—funded by a $370-million World Bank loan approved in 2020 and recently extended until 2027. SPLIT supports the subdivision of collective certificates of land ownership awards (CLOAs), or titles issued to ARBs, across 15 regions. The World Bank said that as of July 2025, about 163,176 individual land titles—or 22 percent of the target area—had been issued under SPLIT, which aims to distribute 750,000 titles covering 1.3 million hectares (ha) by 2027. However, gaps in providing support services to ARBs have prompted the DAR to request additional World Bank financing to expand the project to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and launch a new phase focused on such services, it added. As such, the proposed IPARC project aims to help ARBs maximize the benefits of land ownership by improving productivity, market access, and institutional support. The World Bank said this builds on the SPLIT Project’s success and represents the next phase of its partnership with the DAR, focusing on support services and economic empowerment. IPARC will feature four key components: providing integrated support services and farm clustering; developing local infrastructure such as irrigation and storage facilities; modernizing the DAR’s digital systems for efficiency and transparency; and strengthening project management and monitoring. The project seeks to boost ARB competitiveness, expand agribusiness opportunities, and ensure stronger coordination across government programs, the World Bank said. As earlier reported by Manila Bulletin, the World Bank Group (WBG) plans to extend up to $23 billion in loans and financing to the Philippines from mid-2025 to mid-2031, coinciding with the lender’s fiscal years (FY) 2026 to 2031, as the country moves toward upper-middle-income country (UMIC) status. Under the new six-year country partnership framework (CPF), the Philippines is expected to borrow about $7.85 billion from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD)—the WBG’s lending arm for developing nations—over the next two years. Once the Philippines achieves UMIC classification, it will gradually lose access to concessional interest rates on official development assistance (ODA) loans from multilateral institutions such as the WBG, the Manila-based Asian Development Bank (ADB), and the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), as well as bilateral partners like Japan and South Korea. Last week, Manila Bulletin also reported that the Philippines ranked as the WBG’s fifth-largest developing-country borrower in FY 2025, with total loans amounting to $2.855 billion—its seventh-highest globally when including the world’s poorest countries. Among IBRD clients, the Philippines’ total loans were exceeded only by Brazil ($3.856 billion), Türkiye ($3.791 billion), Argentina ($3.73 billion), and Ukraine ($3.142 billion). When the WBG ’s International Development Association (IDA) borrowers are included, Nigeria ($3.145 billion) and Bangladesh ($3.049 billion) also surpassed the Philippines. IDA lends to underdeveloped nations, In FY 2024, the Philippines was also the fifth-biggest IBRD borrower, with $2.35 billion in loans, and seventh overall among WBG clients—behind Ukraine, Ethiopia, Bangladesh, Türkiye, Indonesia, and India. During FY 2023, which coincided with the first full year of the Marcos Jr. administration, the country borrowed $2.336 billion from the WBG. The Philippines was the WBG’s No. 1 borrower in FY 2021, at the height of the most stringent Covid-19 lockdowns, with eight loans totaling $3.068 billion—mostly used for pandemic response. By FY 2022, under the final year of the Duterte administration, the country’s WBG borrowings dropped to $1.578 billion.

• Manila Bulletin News
• 2 gün, 20 saat, 34 dakika

NCAA SCHEDULE: Season 101 men’s basketball tournament MANILA, Philippines–Letran halted the longest winning streak in the NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball tournament on Wednesday, defeating Perpetual Help, 63-56, at San Juan Arena. The Knights snapped the Altas’ four-game run to hand the Group A leaders their first loss of the season. “We’ve finally broken our slup,” said coach Allen Ricardo, referring to Letran’s slow start that saw them open the season with three straight losses. “We’ve now won back-to-back and we’re looking for to our next few games.” Letran also notched an 84-80 win over Emilio Aguinaldo College last Saturday. […]... Keep on reading: NCAA Season 101: Letran ends Perpetual Help’s unbeaten streak

• Inquirer
• 2 gün, 20 saat, 36 dakika

The President says his Cabinet is also expected to follow the ‘old rules’ — that is, to allow public access to their SALNs

• Rappler
• 2 gün, 20 saat, 37 dakika

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Shane “Sugar Shane” Gentallan’s dominant performance in Kumong Bol-Anon 22 has finally paid off, earning him a spot among the world’s elite fighters. The rising prospect from the PMI Bohol Boxing Stable is now ranked No. 15 in the International Boxing Federation (IBF) minimumweight division following his one-sided victory over countryman Arvin John Sampaga in the main event of Kumong Bol-Anon 22 last September 20 in Tagbilaran City, Bohol. The 27-year-old native of Maribojoc, Bohol, joins a short list of Filipinos currently ranked by the IBF, including Cebuano contender Christian Balunan, who is set to challenge […]... Keep on reading: Shane Gentallan breaks into IBF world rankings after latest win

• Inquirer
• 2 gün, 20 saat, 38 dakika

• SunStar Philippines
• 3 gün, 4 saat, 39 dakika

SEVENTEEN's upcoming documentary series is in celebration of their 10th debut anniversary.

• GMA Network
• 2 gün, 20 saat, 40 dakika

Makati City Mayor Nancy Binay underscored in her first 100 days in office that the city’s push toward digital innovation, cultural revival, and environmental sustainability is part of her vision for a future-ready Makati. **media[50788]** Binay said the city’s progress should not be measured solely by business growth, but also by how it values culture, creativity, and the environment. “Makati has always been more than just offices and banks. We have artists, performers, and creators who make this city vibrant and alive,” she said. “I want our children to grow up in a Makati that celebrates creativity, where art is accessible, and where culture thrives alongside commerce,” Binay added. To strengthen its cultural identity, the city government continues to support the Museo ng Makati, the Museum and Cultural Affairs Office (MCAO), and the Poblacion Heritage Conservation Project, which promote local art, heritage tourism, and civic pride. Makati has also begun implementing its digital transformation program, which integrates artificial intelligence (AI) and new technologies to improve public services. City hall employees are being trained to adapt to the digital shift, with Binay assuring that automation will enhance efficiency without displacing workers. “Technology isn’t here to replace our people. It’s here to help them serve you better,” she said. “We’re training our employees to use AI and digital tools so that when you call City Hall or visit our offices, you get answers faster, processes move quicker, and nobody has to wait in long lines for simple transactions,” the mayor added. The local government is also investing in training and upskilling programs to prepare its workforce for a technology-driven environment. Meanwhile, to protect the environment, Makati promotes the Right to Repair advocacy and supports a circular economy by encouraging the reuse, recycling, and upcycling of materials. These initiatives align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on responsible consumption and climate action. Binay said the city aims to remain modern, creative, and sustainable, ensuring that progress benefits both present and future generations.

• Manila Bulletin News
• 2 gün, 20 saat, 42 dakika

MANILA, Philippines — Lower-priced stocks and the peso regaining strength against the US dollar perked up investors on Wednesday. This enabled the Philippine Stock Exchange Index (PSEi) to close just below the 6,100 barrier. The benchmark index added 0.29 percent or 17.88 points to settle at 6,094.1. The PSEi briefly broke through the 6,100 level, although some selling pressure among conglomerates, industrial and property firms pushed it back to 6,000. Foreigners were also net sellers, with outflows totaling P233.37 million. READ: Global stocks see mixed day amid trade angst, Powell comments Meanwhile, the broader All Shares Index was nearly flat, […]... Keep on reading: Bargain hunt, firmer peso bumps up Philippine shares

• Inquirer
• 2 gün, 20 saat, 43 dakika

For over 15 years, Josie Conlu has been at the forefront of serving the Filipino and wider expatriate communities in Dubai, earning recognition as the community’s most familiar and influential personality. Known for her warmth, generosity, and infectious positivity, she is also an award-winning personality, a dedicated youth mentor, and an advocate for SMEs, empowering individuals and communities to grow, thrive, and contribute meaningfully. Through her current flagship platform, Love Josie, Josie connects communities, fosters engagement, and celebrates Filipino culture across the UAE. The platform has become a trusted hub for information, inspiration, and connection, offering guidance and support to […]... Keep on reading: Josie Conlu: UAE’s Filipino Community Champion

• Inquirer
• 2 gün, 20 saat, 45 dakika