AIA Philippines Bags Three Major Wins at Insurance Asia Awards 2025

AIA Philippines Bags Three Major Wins at Insurance Asia Awards 2025

Sunday, July 27, 2025

AIA Philippines Life and General Insurance Company Inc. (AIA Philippines), formerly Philam Life and now the domestic arm of Hong Kong-based insurer AIA, took home three major accolades at the Insurance Asia Awards 2025, a regional awards program that recognizes the most outstanding insurance companies across Asia.

The life insurer was recognized for two of its digital innovations—iRecruit and PamilyaProtect—and was also awarded Employee Engagement Initiative of the Year. The wins reflect AIA Philippines’ strong push to expand access to protection, enhance the customer, distributor and employee experience, and build a more connected, purpose-driven organization.

Modernizing recruitment with iRecruit

AIA Philippines was recognized for iRecruit, its digital recruitment platform built to enhance the way it brings in agency talent, as Digital Transformation Initiative of the Year. The platform iRecruit allows the company to attract, license, and onboard financial advisors much faster and with a better candidate experience.

“Our digital recruitment platform is built to simplify and accelerate our recruitment processes. Designed with both recruiters and candidates in mind, iRecruit enables seamless end-to-end recruitment—from candidate sourcing and profiling to onboarding—all in one intuitive interface,” said Melita Teo, President and CEO, AIA Philippines. “With iRecruit, we’ve also allowed our teams to dedicate more time to meaningful relationship-building and comprehensive support for new advisors.”

iRecruit covers the entire candidate journey, from pre-licensing to onboarding, and includes a centralized content hub, automated compliance updates, and smart workflows powered by machine learning. This is one of the ways AIA Philippines is using technology not just to improve efficiency, but also to make meaningful human interactions easier.

Breaking barriers with PamilyaProtect

BPI AIA Life Assurance Corporation (BPI AIA), the strategic alliance between the Bank of the Philippine Islands and AIA Philippines, also won for PamilyaProtect, a fully digital, mobile-first life insurance product. It was named Digital Insurance Initiative of the Year by Insurance Asia.

“PamilyaProtect was created to break down the usual barriers, price, complexity, and inaccessibility,” said Teo. “We wanted to offer a simple, affordable option for families who may not have considered insurance before. This recognition tells us we’re on the right track.”

Launched through Facebook Messenger and now available via a dedicated e-commerce site, BPI AIA’s PamilyaProtect is designed for mobile-first access, with a fast, paperless application process and easy-to-understand benefits. Premiums start at just PHP 417 per year, with coverage of up to PHP 2 million, plus accidental death, disability, and hospital confinement benefits. The platform was built to make insurance approachable, even for first-time users, and has helped BPI AIA reach more Filipinos in underserved communities.

Cultivating a people-first culture that delivers

Rounding out its wins, AIA Philippines was awarded Employee Engagement Initiative of the Year for its commitment to building a workplace where employees feel supported, heard, and empowered.

“At AIA Philippines, employee engagement means showing up not just to work—but to make a difference,” said Ellen Imasa, Chief Human Resources Officer, AIA Philippines. “This recognition reflects our unwavering commitment to building a culture where every employee feels empowered, valued, and connected to a greater purpose. By investing in their growth, well-being, and sense of belonging, we enable our people to thrive and bring the best version of themselves at work.”

The company’s approach to employee engagement brings together a wide range of initiatives that strengthen culture, collaboration and shared identity across teams. Programs under Grow@AIA support learning and leadership development. AIA Philippines also invests in employee well-being through its Wellbeing@AIA framework; physical activity programs like the AIA League, and financial wellness initiatives. The results speak for themselves: higher employee satisfaction, stronger engagement, and recognition as one of the best places to work in the industry.

With this triple win, AIA continues to lead with purpose, leveraging technology to serve customers better, while fostering a culture where people and innovation thrive. As a strong and unified organization under One AIA — comprising AIA Philippines, BPI AIA, AIA Investment Management, and MediCard — AIA offers comprehensive and integrated solutions that address the health, life protection, savings, retirement, and investment needs of Filipinos, empowering them to live healthier, longer, better lives.

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Appdome Launches IDAnchor™, the First Customer Identity Protection Solution for the Mobile Economy

Appdome Launches IDAnchor™, the First Customer Identity Protection Solution for the Mobile Economy

Appdome, the leader in protecting mobile businesses, today announced IDAnchor™, the industry’s first Customer Identity Protection (CIP) solution for the mobile economy. IDAnchor fingerprints each release, installation, and device used to access, log in, and generate transactions in a mobile app. It combines this immutable chain of trust with real-time threat signals to bring sign-in alerts and unrecognized device notifications to every mobile app in the world and create a perimeter defense around Identity Verification (IDV), Customer Identity & Access Management (CIAM), and other services in mobile apps.

“Mobile brands have learned the hard way that successful authentication doesn’t mean there’s a trusted identity, engagement, or transaction in an app,” said Tom Tovar, Co-Creator of Appdome. “They also want the ability to tell when there’s unauthorized activity on an unrecognized device, application, or installation. IDAnchor solves all these challenges easily.”

What is Customer Identity Protection?

Customer Identity Protection (CIP) is the missing link needed to strengthen biometric authentication, CIAM, and IDV in mobile apps. By adding a perimeter defense around identity assertions in a mobile app, CIP ensures that no part of the value chain – the mobile app, installation, or device – has been compromised or impersonated during login, authentication, engagement, or purchasing in mobile apps.

Mobile apps and identity products often assume the integrity of the mobile environment when creating, verifying, or using customer identities in mobile apps. However, fake or compromised devices, operating systems, and accounts, as well as malware-controlled sessions, can undermine signal fidelity from the mobile environment, giving fraudsters the upper hand. CIP monitors the source of each customer identity while it’s being used by the application, installation, device, or user. Customer Identity Protection detects if any part of that value chain has been compromised or impersonated, or if there are any signs of on-device threat staging, manipulation, spyware, and other risks that can compromise biometric authentication, CIAM, IDV, Ad Attribution, and other processes in a mobile app.

IDAnchor™ is CIP for Mobile Apps

Unlike static and ephemeral device binding, IDAnchor™ creates a living, cryptographically bound, tamper-resistant chain of trust that spans the entire mobile app lifecycle. IDAnchor fingerprints the mobile DevOps workspace and each app release, installation, device, and session to enable mobile brands to bind customer identity from the point of origin, through the distribution chain, to user acquisition and use in a mobile app.

Each IDAnchor fingerprint is securely stored and built to persist across device resets, app re-installs, OS updates, and sophisticated evasion techniques, including device cloning, app spoofing, Trojan installations, and threats that target customer identity in mobile apps. If, at any time, the chain of trust is broken, brands know customer identity is at risk.

Mobile brands can now offer their users the same powerful, real-time “Is this you?” sign-in alerts made famous across Apple and Google applications. Detect sign-ins or identity assertions from unrecognized devices, apps, or installs and trigger real-time responses like user-facing alerts, step-up authentication, or session blocks. From mobile banking to social, healthcare, and ride-sharing apps, Appdome makes it possible for every mobile brand to own the ATO moment and protect users with confidence.

“IDAnchor gives brands a dynamic way to know if the source of the identity assertion can be trusted and if the user’s device, instance and environment are real, the same, unaltered, and uncompromised before, during, and after calling any identity-based service,” said Avi Yehuda, Co-Creator and CTO of Appdome.

Built-In Threat Signals for Identity Assurance

IDAnchor combines real-time threat signals with the chain of trust to solve a wide range of mobile threats, including:

• Deepfake attacks used on alternative or compromised devices.
• KYC fraud and fake account creation on synthetic, cloned, or altered mobile devices.
• Install/re-install abuse for inflating ad campaign metrics.
• Emulator farms that mimic real user engagement and devices.
• Loyalty and referral abuse from GAID/IDFA and device resets.
• Social engineering scams where users are tricked into installing Trojan versions of legitimate apps.
• Geo-fraud carried out through location spoofing, fake GPS apps, VPNs, IP cycling, and other techniques.
• Transaction and On-Device Fraud carried out by attackers using fake devices, synthetic identities, and stolen credentials.

“Without CIP, anyone or anything could successfully authenticate or engage inside an app,” said Chris Roeckl, Chief Product Officer at Appdome. “With IDAnchor™, brands can detect the full range of fraud, ATOs, and scams and get the true device attributes being used in each session.”

IDAnchor™ Feature Overview

Key features and capabilities include:

DevOps Workspace Fingerprint – Appdome runs in DevOps. IDAnchor uses the DevOps environment to create a trusted root identifier for the mobile app.

App Release Fingerprint – Unique Mobile App Release IDs do not change or reset based on device or install. No User Opt-Out.

App Install Fingerprint – Each Mobile App Installation ID resets on update or upgrade. No User Opt-Out.

Mobile Device Fingerprint – IDAnchor™ creates a unique and immutable Mobile Device ID for Android & iOS Devices. No reset. No User Opt-Out.

True Device Attributes – With each payload, IDAnchor provides the true device attributes for each mobile device.

Prevent Device Spoofing – Prevents modified or impersonated device attributes and bypassing probabilistic Device Identity systems.

Prevent Vendor ID Spoofing – Prevents tampering with or rotating unique device identifiers that attribution systems or apps rely on to track installs, users, and fraud.

Prevent Advertiser ID Cycling – Prevents attackers from rotating GAID/IDFA values to appear as unique users per fraud event.

Protect Google/Apple Advertising ID – Monitor Google/Apple’s advertiser IDs for signs of manipulation, reuse, or substitution.

Detect IDAnchor™ Manipulation Attempt – Send threat data and telemetry if attackers target IDAnchor™.

Threat Signal Intelligence – Send threat data and telemetry on 400+ attack vectors including deepfakes, device spoofing, device manipulation, RCE, RAT, ATS Malware, social engineering scams, IT scams, phishing, quishing, smishing, geo-fraud and other attacks.

"Identity is the new perimeter,” said Eric Newcomer, Analyst at Intellyx. “Customer Identity Protection is more important than ever, given the advances in AI deepfakes, the rise of identity spoofing, and the use of mobile devices as an attack vector. IDAnchor from Appdome strengthens the value of CIAM, IDV and Ad Attribution by tracking the true identity of the applications and devices connecting to enterprise services.”

IDAnchor Availability

IDAnchor™ is available now for all Android and iOS applications. Mobile brands can use and evaluate IDAnchor fingerprints in the app, via an on-premise server, or cloud service.

To get a live demonstration of IDAnchor, visit Appdome at the Black Hat conference Aug. 6 and 7 in Las Vegas at Appdome’s booth (#4746). Or visit the Appdome website to learn more about Appdome IDAnchor™ and Customer Identity Protection.

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Vista Land Celebrates Condominium Completion with Property Turnovers at Hawthorne Heights and Scala

Vista Land Celebrates Condominium Completion with Property Turnovers at Hawthorne Heights and Scala

Saturday, July 26, 2025

Vista Land, the Philippines' leading integrated property developer, recently marked a significant milestone for two of its high-rise developments with the condominium turnover of Hawthorne Heights along Katipunan Avenue in Quezon City and Diana by Scala, an award-winning prime Vista Estates development in Taguig City.

Hawthorne Heights represents the 100th high-rise development in the extensive portfolio of Vista Land.

The event was designed to ensure new homeowners experience not just the joy of moving in, but also the confidence of knowing that every aspect of the handover is fully supported by the deep understanding and expertise of the Philippine real estate market leader. The program features presentations from AllHome, a one-stop shop for construction and home improvement needs, providing sensible yet stylish furnishing solutions to help homeowners transform their living spaces into their personalized sanctuaries.

Livwell, the leasing arm of Vista Land, was also present at the occasion, offering options to homeowners and investors who wish to maximize their properties through rental opportunities. To further assist new residents, comprehensive briefings were conducted by the Turnover Group and the Property Management Office. These sessions detailed essential move-in guidelines, condominium policies, and maintenance services to ensure a streamlined transition.

The ceremonial signing of turnover documents and the presentation of the turnover kit are meaningful symbols of trust and recognition between Vista Land and the new residents, who receive not only access to a condominium property but also entry into vertical communities that support comfort, convenience, and connectivity. The occasion culminated in a photo opportunity with the residents, capturing smiles of pride and excitement that marked the beginning of their homeownership journey.

Excellence and innovation in condominium properties

With a diverse portfolio ranging from opulent hideaways to value-for-money homes, Vista Land anticipates the diverse needs of local and international real estate markets. Its high-rise developments, in particular, are strategically located near central business districts, transportation hubs, and educational institutions, making them attractive for homebuyers and investors.

The continued trust in Vista Land is founded on its reputation for reliability, growth potential, and ability to offer condominium properties in premium locations. These high-rise developments ensure convenience for residents, granting easy access to state-of-the-art amenities and round-the-clock security features while providing substantial investment returns through capital appreciation and rental income.

Urban living through vertical communities

With rapid population growth and the expansion of commercial and business districts, the need for space-efficient, well-connected housing solutions has become increasingly crucial in the capital region. Vista Land recognizes this shift and has adapted its strategy to meet the evolving needs of urban dwellers by highlighting condominium living as a key component of its operations.

By focusing on high-rise developments, Vista Land is responding to the limited land availability in Metro Manila and creating condominium properties that offer residents comfort and connectivity. Carefully crafted to provide secure environments and the practical needs of city life, the company creates spaces where residents can enjoy a fulfilling lifestyle while contributing to the progress of Metro Manila.

Vertical residences for the Filipinos of today

Vista Land believes that no one deserves fine residences in the best locations in the country more than Filipinos and their families. With a keen knowledge of their hopes, aspirations, and preferences, the Philippines' leading integrated property developer is building high-rise developments that provide the amenities and services that uphold Filipino sensibilities. The vertical communities also offer investment opportunities, as real estate often appreciates in value or leased to generate passive income.

For more information on Vista Land high-rise developments, visit www.vistaland.com.ph and follow @VistaLandAndLifescapesOfficial.

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100 Young Changemakers Empowered to Drive Social Impact Across ASEAN in eYAA: Cohort 5

100 Young Changemakers Empowered to Drive Social Impact Across ASEAN in eYAA: Cohort 5

Thursday, July 24, 2025

eYAA’s youth-driven initiatives have impacted over 89,000 people across ASEAN with support from 40 partner organisations.

Leading up to the ASEAN Day celebration on 8 August 2025, Maybank Foundation and ASEAN Foundation officially welcomed 100 youth volunteers and representatives from 10 civil society organisations (CSOs) and social enterprises (SEs) from across Southeast Asia at the Opening Ceremony of the latest Regional Capacity Building Workshop for eMpowering Youths Across ASEAN (eYAA): Cohort 5, held at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand.

The 100 selected youth volunteers, aged 19 to 35, came from ten ASEAN Member States and they bring with them diverse backgrounds, fresh ideas, and a strong spirit of volunteerism. They are paired with local CSOs and SEs selected for their deep knowledge of local challenges and their ability to help guide the youth-led projects on the ground.

Held from 20 to 23 July, the workshop brought together passionate young changemakers and their paired CSOs/SEs to finalise 10 community-based projects that will soon be implemented in Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Viet Nam, the newest country to join the programme. Building on online learning, the four-day regional gathering serves as a crucial space for participants to refine their community projects, learn from experts and alumni, and strengthen their collaboration skills, laying the groundwork for meaningful and lasting impact in the communities they are set to work in.

In his opening remarks, Tan Sri Dato' Sri Ir. Zamzamzairani Mohd Isa, Chairman of Maybank Group and Maybank Foundation said “Maybank through the eYAA programme in collaboration with ASEAN Foundation, remains steadfast to drive social empowerment by enabling young changemakers to create real impact, foster unity across cultures and build a more inclusive and resilient ASEAN community. We firmly believe that when given the right tools to succeed, our youth can be a constructive force for development. The power of youth lies not only in doing something great but also in uncovering their full potential and courage, enabling them to achieve meaningful things for the future.”

“We are incredibly excited to continue this journey with Maybank Foundation,” said Dr. Piti Srisangnam, Executive Director of the ASEAN Foundation. “This programme reminds us that youth are not just future leaders—they are leading change today. Through eYAA, we are taking real steps toward achieving the ASEAN Community Vision 2045—a region where youth are at the centre of building a more inclusive, innovative, and resilient Southeast Asia.”

The 10 community-based projects are designed to reflect local needs within the selected ASEAN countries and fall under four key focus areas: community building, arts and culture, environmental diversity, and education. Each team will receive up to USD 25,000 in grant support, and the local CSOs and SEs will play a crucial role in ensuring the success of the projects.

As part of Cohort 5, youth volunteers will support the “Paaralang Bukas Kalikasan” project by Curma Group Inc. in La Union, the Philippines. The program seeks to strengthen environmental literacy and nurture a culture of sustainable marine conservation in coastal communities. In areas where many families face limited access to information and resources for marine protection, communities continue to grapple with challenges such as overfishing, plastic pollution, and waste management. This initiative transforms local beaches and schools into experiential learning spaces, engaging students, teachers, and community members in real-world environmental education. Implemented across key locations, including the CURMA Center and five public high schools, the project directly benefits 50 youth ambassadors and over 1,000 individuals, while reaching an additional 2,000 members of the surrounding indigenous coastal communities. Through this holistic approach, the programme empowers local youth as environmental stewards and inspires community-led action to protect and sustain the region’s marine ecosystems.

Another initiative, the “Project Digital Horizon” by Espoir School of Life Inc., is being implemented in Siargao Island, Surigao Del Norte. This forward-looking initiative brings solar-powered educational technology to local schools through the establishment of E-Libraries, providing learners with access to a diverse collection of digital books, interactive learning modules, and AI-assisted literacy programs. By enhancing access to quality learning tools and supporting educators with modern resources, the project aims to complement existing teaching practices and promote more inclusive education. It directly benefits 300 learners, 20 teachers, 10 youth volunteers, and 200 community members across key sites such as Barangay Jamoyaon and Barangay San Jose Day Care Center. An estimated 700 others, including families of learners and surrounding residents, are expected to benefit indirectly. By combining renewable energy with digital innovation, “Project Digital Horizon” contributes to expanding learning opportunities and fostering educational equity in remote communities.

The Regional Capacity Building Workshop of eYAA: Cohort 5 was attended by H.E. Dr. Lalivan Karnchanachari, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand; Assistant Professor Dr. Sineenat Sermcheep, Executive Director of ASEAN Studies Centre; H.E. San Lwin, Deputy Secretary-General (DSG) of ASEAN for ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC); H.E. Amb. Sitsangkhom Sisaketh, Chair of the Board of Trustees of the ASEAN Foundation and Permanent Representative of the Lao PDR to ASEAN; H.E. Amb. Sarah Al Bakri Devadason, Permanent Representative of Malaysia to ASEAN; H.E. Amb. Phantipha Iamsudha Ekarohit, Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Thailand to ASEAN; Tan Sri Dato' Sri Ir. Zamzamzairani Mohd Isa, Chairman of Maybank Group and Maybank Foundation; Datuk R. Karunakaran, Board of Trustees, Maybank; Puan Mazhatulshima Mohd Zahid, Group Chief Human Capital Officer, Maybank; Shahril Azuar Jimin, Group Chief Sustainability Officer, Maybank; Izlyn Ramli, Chief Executive Officer, Maybank Foundation; Surin Segar, Head, Group Tax and CFO Maybank Foundation; Dr. Areepong Bhoocha-Oom, Chairman, Maybank Securities Thailand; Henry Koh Swee Ong, Chief Operating Officer, Maybank Securities Thailand; and Dr. Piti Srisangnam, Executive Director of the ASEAN Foundation.

Following the workshop, the youth volunteers will head to their assigned project sites—ten communities across six ASEAN countries. Over the course of two weeks, they will live and work alongside local communities, co-developing solutions and building lasting connections that strengthen ASEAN unity from the ground up.

Since its launch in 2018, the eYAA programme has empowered 382 youth volunteers, implemented 40 impactful community projects, and positively impacted more than 89,000 individuals across the region. Each year, the programme grows in reach and relevance, and with Viet Nam joining the list of project countries this year, eYAA continues to expand its footprint and deepen its impact where it’s needed most.

For instance, Zulfikar Dabby Anwar, an alumnus of Cohort 4, previously contributed to a waste management initiative during his service in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. Today, he plays a leading role as one of the CSO representatives in a Cohort 5 project. His journey reflects the tangible impact of the eYAA programme in empowering youth to lead sustainable community development efforts, while fostering cross-border collaboration with diverse stakeholders.

At its core, eYAA is a people-centred initiative that directly contributes to the realisation of the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Blueprint 2025, particularly in building a more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient ASEAN Community. By equipping young people with the tools, experience, and networks to lead change, the programme positions ASEAN youth as the main drivers in advancing sustainable development and strengthening regional solidarity.

This shared vision is made possible through the close partnership between the ASEAN Foundation and Maybank, through Maybank Foundation. By supporting eYAA, Maybank Foundation reaffirms its commitment to sustainability and inclusive growth, providing a meaningful platform for nurturing young leaders who are ready to address socio-economic and developmental challenges across the region. The initiative is also aligned with Maybank’s mission to humanise financial services and supports one of its four key sustainability commitments: improving the lives of two million households across ASEAN by 2025.

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Home Credit Philippines Partners with Globe At Home to Make Learning Tools and Connectivity More Accessible This Back-to-School Season

Home Credit Philippines Partners with Globe At Home to Make Learning Tools and Connectivity More Accessible This Back-to-School Season

Wednesday, July 23, 2025

Every Sulit-Skwela laptop purchased via Home Credit comes with a FREE GFiber Prepaid UNLI internet

Home Credit Philippines (HCPH), the country’s leading consumer finance company, has partnered with Globe AT HOME to provide Filipino families with affordable financing access to essential learning devices and reliable internet connectivity this back-to-school season. The partnership was formalized through a recent Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing held at the Globe Tower in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

Through this collaboration, every laptop purchased under Home Credit’s Sulit-Skwela deals will come with a FREE GFiber Prepaid UNLI internet. This initiative aims to bridge the gap in financial and digital inclusion in the country as students and their families prepare for the new academic year.

“As the back-to-school season begins, this partnership with Globe is a milestone in Home Credit’s mission to empower more Filipino families through financial and digital inclusion. By offering learning devices bundled with reliable internet through our flexible installment plans, we help bridge the gap, making essential tools more accessible to students as they prepare for the school year,” said Puneet Suneja, HCPH’s Chief Sales Officer.

Get a Sulit-Skwela laptop via Home Credit

Home Credit’s Sulit-Skwela deals offer families affordable financing solutions to secure essential back-to-school gadgets. The promo features flexible installment plans of up to 24 months, with options that include 0% interest and zero downpayment, making it easier for parents to upgrade or purchase new learning tools while managing their budget this season.

The Sulit-Skwela promo includes a wide range of laptops and other must-have devices from the most trusted brands in the country, including Acer, Asus, Apple, Lenovo, HP, and others. With more laptop models available, customers can choose from budget-friendly options to high-performance units, including gaming laptops, ultrabooks, and 2-in-1 devices that function as both laptop and tablet. Each device offers reliable performance, with select models featuring long battery life, powerful processors, sizable storage, and larger RAM.

The Sulit-Skwela promo is available in over 15,000 Home Credit partner stores across more than 75 provinces nationwide from May 15 to July 31. Customers only need one valid ID to apply, and eligible applicants can receive approval in as fast as one minute.

Enjoy FREE GFiber Prepaid UNLI internet with every laptop purchase

Customers who purchase a laptop under Home Credit’s Sulit-Skwela promo will receive free GFiber Prepaid UNLI internet with no lock-in period, no monthly bills, and no installation fee. They can simply load up the prepaid fiber service when needed, giving families full control over their internet spending.

After completing the laptop purchase, customers will be prompted to scan a QR code to check if GFiber is available in their area. If the location is serviceable, Globe will then collect customer information and schedule the installation, which can be completed within two to three working days.

“It’s amazing how two big brands are coming together to modernize the Filipino home. Through this partnership with Home Credit, we’re not just expanding fiber connectivity. We’re making it more accessible to families through flexible financing. Home Credit has built a strong, trusted presence across the country, and we’re only at the tip of what we can do together. This collaboration empowers more students with the internet access they need as they gear up for the school year,” said Danny Theseira, Senior Advisor for Globe’s Broadband Business.

Customers may also apply through the Home Credit App to get pre-approved product installments. The app is available for download on Google Play, the App Store, or Huawei AppGallery. For in-store transactions, Home Credit representatives are ready to assist customers throughout the process.

To view the complete list of available laptops and other essential back-to-school gadgets, and to locate nearby partner stores, customers may visit Shoppingmall.ph.

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Protecting Filipino Farmers from Climate Losses: Igloo’s Weather Index Insurance Offers a Solution

Protecting Filipino Farmers from Climate Losses: Igloo’s Weather Index Insurance Offers a Solution

Filipino farmers are left vulnerable to financial losses from extreme climate events, yet only one-third are insured.

After months of scorching heat, the country is now grappling with torrential rains as the rainy season sets in. While the rains offer hope for renewed harvests, they also carry the threat of stronger, more destructive typhoons. Despite their vital role in food production, farmers remain among the most vulnerable, repeatedly bearing the brunt of extreme weather with limited protection.

In 2024, the Department of Agriculture reported agricultural losses amounting to ₱57.8 billion, affecting over 1.4 million farmers and fisherfolk across the country. These losses were caused by a mix of calamities, including El Niño-induced droughts, typhoons, pests, and volcanic activity. El Niño alone accounted for ₱15.7 billion in damages, severely hitting key crops like rice and corn. Despite this, only one-third of farmers in the country are insured, according to the World Bank, even with government-subsidized premiums.

In its commitment to make insurance more accessible, leading insurtech Igloo aims to help bridge this protection gap with Weather Index Insurance (WII), an index-based insurance coverage specifically aimed to protect agriculture businesses and farmers against climate risks.

Unlike traditional insurance, which requires assessing actual damages after a disaster, WII uses measurable weather data, such as rainfall, temperature, or wind speed as triggers for payouts. When a predefined threshold is crossed, compensation is automatically released, enabling faster and more objective claims processing.

This parametric model has already been successfully deployed in Vietnam, where WII is available through telecommunications company MobiFone’s agricultural app, MobiAgri, which uses the latest technologies in Big Data, AI, blockchain, AR, and VR to support digital farming. By embedding Igloo’s Rainfall Weather Index Insurance into MobiAgri, the initiative offers a holistic platform designed to improve crop yields, manage climate risks, and promote sustainable farming. Deployment is in 18 provinces and cities, supported by a network of over 2,000 rain stations and 650 meteorological stations.

“We believe the same model can be applied to the Philippines, where frequent typhoons and prolonged droughts continue to impact agricultural productivity,” said John Chen, Igloo’s Country Manager for the Philippines and Thailand. The company has been in talks with local stakeholders to introduce weather-based coverage and is actively looking to expand its offerings in the country

“With the right partners, including government agencies to agritech platforms and cooperatives, we can bring insurance closer to Filipino farmers and equip them with the tools to better withstand the effects of climate change,” Chen added.

Learn more about Igloo’s products and services by visiting iglooinsure.com

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Globe brings services closer to Bohol with new pop-up store

Globe brings services closer to Bohol with new pop-up store

Tuesday, July 22, 2025

Globe has opened a new pop-up store in Bohol to make it easier for residents and tourists to access mobile and broadband services right where they are. This is part of the company’s ongoing efforts to bring reliable connectivity closer to communities that need it most.

Bohol has seen a sharp rise in tourist arrivals this year, particularly in Panglao. February 2025 alone saw 70,458 guests, while total foreign tourist arrivals in the first quarter reached 110,253, a 7.3% increase from the same period in 2024, according to the Philippine Information Agency. With more people coming in and digital needs growing, Globe saw the need to provide faster, more convenient access to its services on the ground.

“We’re excited to serve the people of Bohol more directly,” said Chai Alano, Vice President of Channel Management Group at Globe.“This pop-up store is one way we’re bringing our services closer to the community. We want Boholanos and tourists alike to stay connected, whether it’s for work, school, or simply staying in touch with loved ones.”

At the Globe Bohol pop-up store, customers can get prepaid SIMs, apply for new mobile postpaid lines with or without devices, or renew their existing plans. It also offers broadband services and reliable internet to households and small businesses through GFiber Prepaid and Globe AT HOME, providing reliable internet to households and small businesses. For local establishments such as small hotels, cafés, and restaurants, fiber connectivity can support online bookings, enable food delivery services, and offer WiFi to guests, helping them attract more customers and cater to the growing number of tourists.

For mobile needs, the store offers prepaid SIMs that are well-suited for foreign visitors and digital nomads. These SIMs come with no long-term commitment and give users immediate access to data for social media, navigation, remote work, or simply staying connected while in Bohol. The store also accepts all forms of payment for bill transactions, making it easier for customers to manage their accounts.

Beyond setting up new services, the store is ready to assist with customer concerns, including service issues and technical support. It’s designed to be a one-stop shop for everything Globe, offering convenience, speed, and real-time support.

The Bohol pop-up, located at the Upper Ground Floor of Island City Mall in Tagbilaran City, is part of a broader effort to make Globe’s services more accessible nationwide, especially in areas experiencing rapid development and increased connectivity needs.

To learn more about Globe’s network initiatives in the Visayas, visit https://www.globe.com.ph/.

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