EastWest Rural Bank Celebrates 12 Years with School Outreach in Typhoon-Affected Communities

EastWest Rural Bank Celebrates 12 Years with School Outreach in Typhoon-Affected Communities

Friday, December 19, 2025

Milestones are more meaningful when they’re shared with the communities that made them possible. For its 12th anniversary, EastWest Rural Bank (EWRB) chose to look beyond celebrations and instead reached out to public schools in remote and typhoon-hit areas bringing support, smiles, and much-needed encouragement to learners and teachers across the countryside.

Held from November 5 to 20, 2025, the outreach program focused on schools affected by Typhoons Tino and Uwan, reinforcing the bank’s long-standing commitment to grassroots communities in the Philippines.

Bringing Relief and Joy to Students and Teachers

As part of the anniversary initiative, EWRB visited selected public schools across Regions 5, 6, 7, and 11, reaching a total of 590 learners and 49 teachers.

Each visit included the distribution of:

• Jollibee meals for students and teachers
• Drawing and coloring materials for learners
• Rice packs and EastWest Rural Bank giveaways

Beyond the items, the activity created moments of connection something especially valuable for schools still recovering from the effects of recent typhoons.

A Celebration Rooted in Community Presence

EastWest Rural Bank President Sheila Marasigan-Bajado shared that the outreach reflects the bank’s intention to stay present where it matters most.

She explained that instead of a traditional anniversary celebration, the team chose to visit schools that needed encouragement after the storms, expressing gratitude to the teachers and school heads who welcomed them and allowed the bank to spend time with their students.

This people-first approach echoes EWRB’s role as a rural bank that understands the realities faced by families in far-flung areas.

Schools Reached Across Four Regions

The anniversary outreach covered five public elementary schools, with the help of teachers, school administrators, and barangay representatives who facilitated the on-site activities:

• Region 5: Lipata Elementary School (Masbate) and San Isidro Elementary School (Cataingan)
• Region 6: Cudian Elementary School, Brgy. Cudian, Ivisan, Capiz
• Region 7: Combado Elementary School, Purok Pagtinabangay, Bogo City
• Region 11: Cayawan Elementary School, Manay, Davao Oriental

Each stop highlighted the importance of collaboration between local institutions and private organizations, especially during periods of recovery.

Supporting Education Beyond Banking

For EastWest Rural Bank, the outreach is part of a broader effort to remain connected with schools, families, and rural communities, particularly after natural calamities. By supporting learners and educators on the ground, the bank reinforces its role not just as a financial institution, but as a partner in community resilience.

In a country frequently affected by typhoons, recovery often begins in small but meaningful ways—shared meals, school supplies, and simple reminders that communities are not alone. EWRB’s 12th anniversary outreach is a timely example of how corporate milestones can translate into real, positive impact.

Programs like this show that when businesses invest in education and community well-being, everyone moves forward together.

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Appdome Launches Agentic AI Suite to Fight Mobile Fraud and Security Threats in Real Time

Appdome Launches Agentic AI Suite to Fight Mobile Fraud and Security Threats in Real Time

As mobile apps become the front door of digital businesses—from banking and e-commerce to super apps—cyber threats are evolving just as fast. Fraud, account takeovers, and API attacks are no longer isolated incidents; they’re persistent, AI-driven risks. At Black Hat Europe, Appdome responded to this challenge by unveiling something new: the industry’s first conversational, agentic AI intelligence suite built specifically to protect mobile businesses.

Designed for cybersecurity and anti-fraud teams, Appdome’s new Agentic AI Suite goes beyond dashboards and alerts. It introduces AI “teammates” that can reason, collaborate, and act, helping enterprises defend their mobile apps faster and more intelligently.

What Makes Appdome’s Agentic AI Different

Unlike generic AI copilots, Appdome’s new suite is purpose-built for mobile security, fraud prevention, and API protection. The platform introduces five specialized AI Agents that work inside a secure enterprise environment, allowing multiple teams to collaborate using AI at the same time.

Built on the Appdome platform, these agents tap into:

• Over a decade of mobile defense and build data
• Trillions of real-world threat events
• Billions of mobile app installations worldwide
• Advanced deep learning models

The result is a conversational, “ask-me-anything” intelligence layer that delivers insights, remediation steps, and recommendations tailored to each mobile business.

According to Tom Tovar, CEO and co-creator of Appdome, agentic AI enables faster learning and decision-making across massive datasets and Appdome is uniquely positioned to make that intelligence actionable for cyber defense.

Meet the Agentic AI Teammates Protecting Mobile Apps

Appdome’s Agentic AI Suite is an opt-in service made up of five distinct agents. Two are available now:

Support Agent – helps answer questions and surface insights from mobile defense data

SecOps Agent – assists security teams in identifying threats and accelerating response

Additional agents coming soon include:

• DevOps Agent
• Defense Posture Management (DPM) Agent
• Threat Research Agent

Once activated, each agent continuously analyzes mobile and threat data, reasons autonomously, and interacts with teams to flag risks, trends, and recommended actions without waiting for manual prompts.

AI Teammates, Not Just Assistants

A key design principle behind Appdome’s approach is treating AI as a teammate, not a passive assistant. These agents don’t just answer questions, they proactively notify teams when new risks or notable patterns emerge.

This dramatically reduces manual monitoring and alert fatigue. In practice, Appdome says cyber teams can cut mean time to respond by up to 90%, thanks to faster investigations, reduced analyst workload, and rapid deployment through its “click to defend” model.

As Avi Yehuda, CTO and co-creator of Appdome, explained, what generic AI tools lack is mobile-specific context. Appdome’s agents connect AI reasoning directly to each company’s apps, threat landscape, and defenses producing answers that are relevant, not generic.

Built-In Collaboration for Cyber and Anti-Fraud Teams

Modern cyber defense can’t live in silos. Appdome’s Agentic AI Suite introduces social-style collaboration features directly into the platform. Teams can now:

• Like and comment on AI insights
• Tag teammates across departments
• Share alerts, recommendations, and discoveries

This enables cyber, engineering, anti-fraud, DevOps, and business teams to collaborate in real time, bridging knowledge gaps and aligning faster on defense strategies.

Gil Hartman, Field CTO and founding engineer at Appdome, noted that email and chat tools are no longer enough. Enterprises want a centralized space where cross-functional teams can actively defend mobile apps together.

Enterprise Guardrails Keep Agentic AI Secure and Governed

While agentic AI unlocks powerful reasoning, it also introduces risks if not properly governed. Appdome addresses this by keeping all AI agents fully contained within its enterprise-grade platform.

Key safeguards include:

• No learning or data retention outside the tenant
• Strict isolation of all intelligence
• Full audit trails and access controls
• Context Engineering instead of generic RAG, ensuring all AI reasoning is grounded in verified Appdome data

This means enterprises can safely explore their own threat data, compare defense posture against industry trends, and resolve mobile and API threats without leaking sensitive information into public AI models.

Why This Matters for Mobile-First Enterprises

For businesses operating in mobile-first markets like Southeast Asia and the Philippines, fraud and security threats directly impact trust and revenue. Appdome’s Agentic AI Suite signals a shift in how mobile security is managed moving from reactive tools to proactive, collaborative, AI-driven defense.

As analyst Jason Bloomberg of Intellyx noted, Appdome’s AI agents don’t just provide opinions, they deliver objective, data-driven insights that help organizations stay ahead of cyberattacks and fraud.

Agentic AI is quickly becoming the next frontier in enterprise cybersecurity, and Appdome’s approach stands out by combining deep mobile threat data, real collaboration, and strong governance. For mobile brands serious about scaling securely, this launch shows how AI can finally move from hype to real-world protection.

To learn more about Appdome’s Agentic AI offerings, visit the company’s official website.

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Couchbase Launches AI Services to Help Enterprises Deploy Secure Agentic AI at Scale

Couchbase Launches AI Services to Help Enterprises Deploy Secure Agentic AI at Scale

As more companies move beyond experimenting with AI and start deploying intelligent agents in real-world environments, one challenge keeps surfacing: control. From data governance and security to performance and reliability, enterprises need AI systems they can trust especially when these tools are already making decisions that affect operations, customers, and revenue.

This is where Couchbase AI Services comes in. Now generally available, the new offering positions Couchbase as a single, AI-native database platform that allows enterprises to build, deploy, and govern agentic AI applications without the complexity that often stalls AI projects at the prototype stage.

What Couchbase AI Services Brings to the Table

Couchbase, the developer database platform behind many mission-critical applications, introduced AI Services to solve a common enterprise problem: fragmented AI infrastructure. Instead of juggling separate tools for data, vectors, models, and governance, enterprises can now manage everything within one unified platform.

According to Barry Morris, Chief Product and Strategy Officer at Couchbase, organizations deploying AI agents need more than experimentation tools. They need an end-to-end system that is secure, trustworthy, and production-ready. Couchbase AI Services integrates AI capabilities directly across the product suite, enabling repeatable, scalable deployment for intelligent applications.

One Unified Platform for Data, Vectors, and Models

Moving generative and agentic AI into production is often slowed by:

• Integrating structured and unstructured data
• Security and privacy risks tied to public LLMs
• AI hallucinations and unreliable outputs
• Rapidly evolving AI tooling that’s hard to govern

Couchbase addresses these challenges by combining data management and AI services in a single platform. Key capabilities include:

• Secure model hosting through NVIDIA AI Enterprise, including NVIDIA NIM microservices and Nemotron models
• Automatic vector creation, storage, and search
• Unified Agent Catalog for governance and traceability
• Intelligent agent memory for contextual, multi-session interactions
• Built-in AI Functions that support SQL++-based analysis directly inside applications

By removing the need for multiple vendors and systems, Couchbase reduces latency, simplifies architecture, and lowers the cost of running large language model–powered applications.

Built-In Governance for Trustworthy AI Decisions

For enterprises, trust is non-negotiable especially when AI agents operate on sensitive data. Couchbase AI Services embeds governance directly into every interaction.

Organizations can set guardrails that validate AI outputs against enterprise data and business rules before any action is taken. This ensures that decisions made by autonomous agents are traceable, auditable, and compliant with internal policies.

By keeping both data and models within a single governed environment, enterprises retain full control without sacrificing speed or scalability.

Real-World Impact: Faster, More Reliable AI Development

AI-driven companies are already seeing the value of a unified platform. Joe Intrakamhang, CTO of SWARM Engineering, shared that Couchbase AI Services allows their team to streamline the entire retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) pipeline.

Instead of wrestling with infrastructure, teams can focus on solving real problems such as optimizing supply chains, logistics, and workforce planning. For enterprise customers making mission-critical decisions, having a secure and reliable AI foundation is essential.

Strong Industry Backing from NVIDIA and AI Partners

Couchbase AI Services also comes with strong ecosystem support. Industry leaders see agentic AI as the next phase of enterprise productivity but only if it’s deployed with proper governance and performance controls.

• NVIDIA highlighted Couchbase’s integration of NIM microservices and Nemotron models as a way to accelerate production-ready AI agents
• Arize AI emphasized improved observability and evaluation for multi-agent systems through Arize AX
• Unstructured.io enables direct ingestion and vectorization of unstructured enterprise data
• K2view supports the creation of privacy-preserving, high-quality synthetic datasets for AI grounding

Together, these partnerships strengthen Couchbase’s position as a central platform for enterprise-grade AI.

As AI adoption accelerates across industries from finance and retail to logistics and manufacturing, enterprises need infrastructure that balances innovation with control. Couchbase AI Services offers a practical path forward: faster deployment, fewer moving parts, and built-in trust.

For organizations serious about moving agentic AI from concept to production, this unified approach removes many of the barriers that have slowed AI initiatives in the past.

AI Services are available now, with more details accessible through Couchbase’s official channels and partner ecosystem resources.

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Zed Raises $16.5M Series A Led by Accel

Zed Raises $16.5M Series A Led by Accel

The Philippine startup scene just hit a major milestone. Zed, a next-generation credit card startup built for young Filipinos, has secured $16.5 million in Series A funding with Silicon Valley heavyweight Accel leading the round. For a country where many professionals still struggle to access fair credit, this funding signals a big shift in how banking could finally work for a new generation.

Beyond the numbers, Accel’s backing places Zed on the global fintech map and reinforces the growing confidence in Filipino-led, tech-driven financial solutions.

Accel Backs Zed in Landmark Philippine Startup Investment

Announced on December 12, 2025, Zed’s Series A round brings one of the world’s most respected venture capital firms into the Philippine ecosystem. Accel is known for early investments in global giants such as Facebook, Spotify, Slack, and Dropbox making this a significant vote of confidence in Zed’s vision.

The round also includes continued support from Valar Ventures, along with prominent angel investors Immad Akhund and Dalton Caldwell, bringing Zed’s total funding to $22.5 million.

For local startups, this is more than just funding, it’s a signal that world-class capital is paying close attention to innovation coming out of the Philippines.

Why Zed Is Rethinking Credit Cards for Young Filipinos

Zed is tackling a familiar frustration among young professionals: being denied credit despite having stable jobs, degrees, and income. Traditional banks often rely on outdated credit scoring factors such as the age of existing credit accounts that don’t accurately reflect real financial behavior.

Instead of shutting people out, Zed uses AI-driven underwriting that looks at:

• Current income
• Transaction history
• Broader financial data beyond traditional credit scores

This approach allows Zed to serve creditworthy Filipinos who are often overlooked by legacy banks.

What Makes Zed’s Credit Card Different

Zed’s product is designed around how young people actually spend and manage money today. Key features include:

• Global Travel Without Hidden Fees. Zero foreign exchange fees or markups, making it one of the most cost-effective cards for overseas spending.

• Smarter, Safer Online Payments. Unlimited virtual cards with customizable spending limits and auto-expiry options, including single-use or 24-hour cards.

• Peer-to-Peer Payments on Credit. Users can split bills or send money instantly and settle everything later through their monthly statement.

These features combine flexibility, security, and convenience without the friction common in traditional banking apps.

Why Accel Believes in Zed’s Vision

Accel Partner Nafis Jamal shared that the firm is backing Zed’s mission to build AI-powered financial services that are transparent, accessible, and designed for customers long ignored by banks.

He pointed out that many first-time banking customers encounter confusing fees, outdated systems, and impersonal service—clear signs that these institutions were built for a different era. Zed, by contrast, is building from the ground up for today’s users.

Rapid Growth, Massive Demand, and What’s Next

Since launching on an invite-only basis, Zed has seen explosive organic growth. Without paid marketing, its waitlist has grown to nearly 200,000 sign-ups, driven almost entirely by word of mouth.

So far in 2025:

• The customer base has grown 10x
• Transaction volume has jumped by around 500%
• Most of the waitlist has yet to be invited

With fresh funding, Zed plans to accelerate user onboarding and expand its team. Hiring is underway for roles in Operations, Risk, Growth, and Support in Manila, as well as Product, Design, Data Science, and Engineering roles in San Francisco.

Co-founder Danielle Cojuangco Abraham shared that Zed is building financial tools that match the ambition and pace of today’s generation. Meanwhile, Steve Abraham, also a co-founder, noted that much of Southeast Asia’s banking infrastructure is decades old and this funding helps fast-track Zed’s mission to rebuild it using modern AI technologies.

Zed’s rise reflects a broader shift in Philippine fintech: one where access, fairness, and smart technology take center stage. For young professionals tired of rejection emails and rigid requirements, this could mean real financial inclusion finally delivered through tools that make sense.

If you want to be part of this new wave of banking, you can join Zed’s waitlist or explore career opportunities as the company scales.

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FWD Philippines Tops Q3 2025 Insurance Rankings by Putting Customers First

FWD Philippines Tops Q3 2025 Insurance Rankings by Putting Customers First

Thursday, December 18, 2025

FWD Philippines is once again proving that putting customers at the heart of its business pays off. The Insurance Commission’s Q3 2025 report recognized the company for outstanding performance, ranking No. 1 in Single Premiums, and No. 2 in both New Business Annual Premium Equivalent (NBAPE) and Total Premiums.

For over a decade, FWD Philippines has been changing the way Filipinos feel about insurance making protection simpler, more meaningful, and accessible for every family. Its impressive ranking reflects not just numbers, but the trust of customers, advisors, and partners across the country.

Innovative Products Designed for Filipino Families

FWD Philippines continues to craft insurance products tailored to real-life needs:

Set for Life Plus – A flexible lifelong protection plan ideal for young Filipinos starting out on their financial journey.

Wealth+ – Combines wealth creation and insurance in a customizable package.

Fast Lane – The country’s first evergreen two-pay investment-linked insurance plan, giving proactive Filipinos faster access to protection and growth.

The One for Pet Lovers – Recognizes that family comes in many forms, helping families plan for their furry companions.

By focusing on what matters to Filipinos, FWD ensures its offerings are not just policies but practical tools for building a secure future.

Making Insurance Frictionless

FWD Philippines doesn’t stop at products. It leverages technology to make insurance easier and more convenient than ever:

OMNE by FWD – A lifestyle app that offers protection and more at users’ fingertips.

FWD Online Shop – Lets customers access plans anytime, anywhere.

24/7 Customer Support – Ensures help is always just a call or click away.

FWD Customer Champions Platform – An interactive initiative that puts customer feedback at the center of decision-making.

These innovations reflect FWD’s philosophy: insurance should be intuitive, responsive, and empowering.

Championing Financial Literacy and Inclusion

FWD Philippines also invests in nation-building initiatives that equip the next generation with essential financial skills:

JA Spark the Dream – Reached over 14,600 students in two years, teaching entrepreneurship and financial literacy in partnership with JA Philippines.

It’s My Dream Program – Empowers out-of-school youth to become changemakers.

Forward Your Success – Prepares college students for financial independence.

Beyond education, FWD employees actively participate in sustainability projects. The Forest of the Future initiative planted 1,000 trees, promoting environmental stewardship and preparedness for future generations.

A Purpose-Driven Approach to Insurance

“We are grateful for the trust of our customers and partners. At FWD Philippines, our purpose is to empower people to be financially secure by listening, innovating, and delivering solutions that truly matter,” said Soon Liang Lau, President and CEO of FWD Philippines.

For FWD, insurance isn’t just about protection—it’s about helping Filipinos build their best futures while enjoying the present with confidence.

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TREYNA Rebrands: Philippine Advertising Icon Enters New Era

TREYNA Rebrands: Philippine Advertising Icon Enters New Era

The Philippine advertising scene is witnessing a historic shift as MullenLowe TREYNA officially rebrands to TREYNA, marking the next chapter in its 47-year legacy. The move comes following the global Omnicom-IPG merger, which led to the retirement of the MullenLowe brand.

From Lintas to TREYNA: A Legacy of Creativity

TREYNA’s roots go back to 1978 with Lintas Manila, led by industry pioneer Francis B. Trillana, one of the original “mad men” of Philippine advertising. Over nearly five decades, the agency has evolved through multiple identities SSC&B Lintas, Lintas: Manila, Ammirati Puris Lintas, Lowe Lintas, Lowe & Partners, and MullenLowe Philippines while consistently producing campaigns that resonated with Filipinos.

Iconic campaigns like Surf’s “Wais,” Selecta Cornetto’s “Hanggang Saan Aabot ang 20 Pesos Mo,” and Lucky Me! Pancit Canton’s “Ticnap Notnac” remain etched in the memories of multiple generations. TREYNA’s history reflects not just longevity, but a sustained record of creativity, effectiveness, and cultural relevance.

A Group of Progressive Agencies

TREYNA isn’t just an advertising agency, it’s a full-service creative group. Its portfolio includes:

• MARC – PR powerhouse and two-time Campaign Asia PR Agency of the Year
• Qairos – digital platforms and tech solutions
• Paradigm – top 10 Asia-Pacific production company according to Campaign Brief
• HOOK – brand experience and activation

TREYNA has also received recognition for its excellence in creative and strategic work. It ranks #1 Most Creative and Most Effective network agency in the Philippines per the 2025 WARC rankings, and is the #1 Most Awarded Agency in the Philippines according to the Drum 2025 World Creative Rankings.

Strong Local Leadership with Global Support

While TREYNA remains majority-owned by local shareholders, Omnicom continues to serve as a strategic shareholder, providing global insight while letting the agency chart its own course.

“We will continue investing in growth with the necessary resources and manpower,” said Michael O. Trillana, Chairman and CEO. “Recent major new business wins mean we'll be hiring across multiple departments next year. We look forward to a new era of success with the local shareholders steering the future of the agency and Omnicom Advertising by our side.”

Momentum in Advocacy and New Business

TREYNA’s commitment to impactful work extends beyond commercial campaigns. The agency has helmed award-winning advocacy initiatives, such as:

• Scoliosis Philippines’ Stripes Fit Check
• The Right to Care Card, launched with the Quezon City Gender and Development Council

On the business front, TREYNA has expanded its portfolio with major wins, including:

• Surf2Sawa by Converge
• MEGA Sardines
• Beetzee Play
• Expanded work with Unilever brands such as Creamsilk, Dove, and Rexona

In the digital space, TREYNA spearheaded projects like the Cebuana Lhuillier Jewelry website, digital campaigns for UL Skin Sciences’ Myra Glow Radiance White, and PR services for Anlene Philippines.

TREYNA’s Vision Forward

With a strong foundation, a proven track record of creativity, and a committed local leadership team supported by global resources, TREYNA is poised for a new era of innovation, growth, and cultural impact. This rebranding is more than a name change—it’s a statement of purpose, celebrating a legacy while embracing the future of Philippine advertising.

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Canon Marketing Philippines Brings Smiles and Hope to Children with Kyosei CSR Day

Canon Marketing Philippines Brings Smiles and Hope to Children with Kyosei CSR Day

Canon Marketing Philippines recently spread warmth and joy in Malate, Manila, through a meaningful Kyosei-driven CSR Day, in partnership with Kanlungan sa Er-Ma Ministry, Inc. (KSEM). Known for its mission to protect and empower vulnerable children, KSEM’s goals aligned perfectly with Canon’s Kyosei philosophy—the principle of living and working together for the common good.

A Day of Smiles, Creativity, and Togetherness

The event welcomed 70 children from KSEM and 30 Canon employee volunteers for a day filled with nourishment, activities, and shared experiences. A standout moment was the “Draw Your Big Smile” activity, where children expressed their happiest memories and dreams through art, guided by Canon volunteers.

These creative works were proudly displayed on the Wall of Big Smiles, and a photo booth captured each child with their artwork. Every participant received a printed photo keepsake, ensuring the joy of the day remained long after the event ended.

Kyosei in Action

“At Canon, we believe progress means uplifting lives and creating lasting impact,” said Anuj Aggarwal, President & CEO of Canon Marketing Philippines. “Partnering with Kanlungan sa Er-Ma allows us to support children in need of special protection by not only providing nourishment, but also sparking joy and hope for brighter futures.”

By actively engaging employees and the community, Canon demonstrates that corporate responsibility goes beyond donations. It’s about fostering meaningful connections, inspiring creativity, and empowering the next generation.

Beyond CSR Day: Canon’s 2025 Initiatives

This event is part of Canon’s broader 2025 community initiatives, which reflect a commitment to sustainable impact and Kyosei values. Activities include:

• Coastal cleanups to protect marine ecosystems
• Tree planting programs to promote environmental stewardship
• Youth engagement programs designed to inspire skills, creativity, and confidence

Through these initiatives, Canon continues to uphold its mission of “Delighting You Always”, showing that business success and community care can go hand in hand.

For vulnerable children, small acts of care like a shared activity, a meal, or a keepsake can leave lasting positive impressions. Canon’s CSR approach highlights the importance of combining corporate resources with empathy and human connection.

Events like the Kyosei CSR Day not only bring immediate joy, but also create meaningful memories that reinforce hope, resilience, and confidence in young hearts.

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