TBC News

Tag: tech

  • Manila Office Ignites Rumors of Aggressive AI Expansion by Salesforce

    Manila Office Ignites Rumors of Aggressive AI Expansion by Salesforce

    Salesforce, the world’s leading AI CRM, today announced the company’s expansion into the Philippines, establishing an office in Manila, and growing the country’s AI ecosystem by investing in skills development for the local workforce.

    This strategic expansion into the Philippines aims to support the growth of businesses in the Philippines and help them transform into Agentic Enterprises. Salesforce’s Philippines growth will be led by Abraham Cuevas, Regional Vice President and Country Manager. 

    The new office will be located in Manila’s Ayala Triangle Gardens, Tower 2, bringing Salesforce’s team closer to customers and partners in the market and enabling Salesforce to tap on local talent. 

    Salesforce’s expansion in the Philippines comes at a critical moment as AI is projected to fuel significant economic growth in the market, with productivity and cost benefits amounting to PHP 2.8 trillion (USD 50.7 billion) by 2030.

    AI offers a way for the Philippines to evolve from a service-oriented economy to a knowledge-driven innovation hub by enhancing productivity and unleashing human potential. 

    “The Philippines is a dynamic and incredibly important market for Salesforce, and our expansion here underscores our deep commitment to supporting the country’s digital transformation journey,” said Abraham Cuevas, Regional Vice President and Country Manager, Salesforce Philippines.

    “With our new office in the Philippines, we are better positioned to empower Filipino businesses to transform into Agentic Enterprises while also supporting the local ecosystem by equipping Filipino workers with the critical AI skills needed for the future economy.”

    “Salesforce‘s expansion is a strong boost to our digital economy. Opening a new office in Manila affirms the Philippines’ position as a growing hub for technology and innovation. Their pledge to train 12,000 Filipinos in Al and CRM skills supports our goal of building a future-ready workforce and helps our businesses stay competitive in the fast-advancing digital landscape,” said Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Cristina A. Roque.

    Transforming Customers into Agentic Enterprises

    Salesforce is uniquely positioned to lead customers through this transformation by enabling them to become Agentic Enterprises, a new model of work where AI elevates people rather than replacing them.

    With Agentforce 360, Salesforce integrates apps, data, metadata, and agents on a deeply unified platform, empowering every employee to achieve more, every customer-facing moment to deliver more, and every company to operate with unprecedented intelligence and speed.

    Agentforce for Service and Employee Agent is now also available in Tagalog, a significant step for the agentic era in the Philippines.

    The availability of Agentforce in Tagalog allows local businesses to accelerate their digital transformation and deliver superior customer experiences and efficient business operations. 

    Salesforce already serves as a trusted digital advisor for Philippines customers of all sizes. Leading businesses such as Ayala Land, Bank of the Philippine Islands, Meralco, Philippine Airlines, and PLDT are using Salesforce CRM and AI technologies to enhance customer experience, improve operational efficiency and unlock new revenue streams.

    Industry innovators such as Maxicare use Agentforce to automate dental LOA requests, reducing manual workload and enhancing customer experience. 

    Converge ICT Solutions, a leading technology solutions provider in the country, is using the Salesforce platform to transform into an AI enterprise.

    The company has created a comprehensive view of customers, which it uses to deliver more efficient and intelligent experiences across sales, service, and marketing.

    Leveraging Salesforce solutions, Converge is building one of the first generative AI contact centres in the Philippines and is on track to increase efficiency by 30 percent. 

    “Our collaboration with Salesforce has been fundamental to our mission to deliver fast and frictionless service, especially now as we transform from a traditional telco to a full-fledged technology company. By unifying our systems and deploying AI, we’ve empowered our teams to be more productive and respond to customers faster. We look forward to continuing our transformation journey with Salesforce as the company deepens its commitment to the Philippines,” said Eugene Yeo, Chief Executive Advisor, Converge ICT Solutions.

    “Artificial Intelligence is not just a trend but a powerful economic accelerator. It will unlock new innovations, sharpen efficiencies, and create opportunities for every sector. With Salesforce strengthening its presence in the Philippines, our businesses gain easier access to world-class AI and CRM solutions. This means Filipino enterprises can adopt technology with confidence, compete on a larger stage, and take their place in the global digital economy,” said Secretary Henry R. Aguda of the Department of Information and Communications Technology.  

    Salesforce also has an extensive partner ecosystem in the Philippines including partners such as Accenture, Appistoki (part of the Novare Group), Ascendion, Deloitte and ValueHub.

    These trusted partners extend the power of Salesforce’s open, extensible platform, building apps and agents for any use case and bringing deep industry expertise to customers looking to implement Agentforce and other Salesforce offerings. 

    Building in-demand AI skills and a thriving AI ecosystem 

    Salesforce has pledged to equip 12,000 Filipino workers with in-demand CRM and AI skills over the next five years. Salesforce has already trained more than 53,000 Filipino learners through this ongoing initiative to empower Filipino talent with future-ready digital and AI skills, driving innovation and inclusive growth across the country.

    The training program is delivered through Trailhead, Salesforce’s free, self-paced online learning platform and in collaboration with workforce development partners including Asia Pacific College, Bulacan State University, National University – Fairview and Laguna Campus, Ayala Foundation and Smartbridge.

    Salesforce also has a thriving Trailblazer community across the country with over 1,500 members who regularly come together to share knowledge, build networks, and empower each other’s success.

    Salesforce’s commitment to giving back

    An important part of Salesforce’s culture is the belief that business is the greatest platform for change, reflected in the company’s 1-1-1 model of corporate philanthropy, which dedicates 1% of the company’s equity, 1% of its employees’ time, and 1% of its products to giving back.

    Over the last two years, Salesforce has collaborated with the DOST-Science and Technology Information Institute on its STARBOOKS initiative to support remote and economically challenged communities in the country.

    Through this effort, Salesforce and its partners have supported 475 students in Mindoro and Bataan, providing STARBOOKS kiosks, high-speed internet, tablets, laptops, TVs, and school supplies to create a more conducive environment for learning.

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  • Mystery outage triggers widespread breakdown of popular sites

    Mystery outage triggers widespread breakdown of popular sites

    A major outage at Cloudflare on Monday caused popular platforms like X, Spotify, and ChatGPT to go offline for users around the world.

    The disruption began around 6 a.m. ET, when people started receiving Internal Server Error messages and repeated HTTP 500 errors while attempting to access various sites.

    Cloudflare acknowledged the problem on its System Status page and said it was dealing with an internal service degradation that was affecting multiple services.

    Cloudflare provides content delivery networks, cybersecurity tools, DDoS mitigation, and wide area network services to thousands of clients across the globe, making any interruption to its systems widely felt.

    The outage quickly spread across major consumer sites and corporate platforms, with Facebook, AWS, bet365, Canva, BrightHR, and League of Legends among those reporting access problems, according to tracking site Downdetector.

    Downdetector itself also experienced technical issues during the incident, adding to the confusion among users trying to determine the scope of the disruption. Cloudflare said it is still assessing the situation and has not yet confirmed the underlying cause.

    The company noted that scheduled maintenance was underway at one of its data centers but did not clarify whether the activity was tied to the system failure.

    Cloudflare said more information will be released as the investigation progresses.

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  • AI is Quietly Driving a $500 Billion Data Center Boom

    AI is Quietly Driving a $500 Billion Data Center Boom

    The global data center market is set to surge from USD 213.6 billion in 2024 to USD 494.5 billion by 2033, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 9.29 percent, according to research from IMARC Group.

    Analysts attribute the growth to rising demand from artificial intelligence, high-performance computing, and widespread cloud adoption, alongside proactive government initiatives and expanding digital infrastructure.

    Industry experts highlight hyperscale data centers, operated by major cloud providers such as Amazon, Microsoft, and Google, as key drivers, citing the need for advanced infrastructure to support AI workloads.

    “The investment in AI-ready data centers is unprecedented and is reshaping the global landscape for computing resources,” said a market analyst at IMARC Group.

    Cloud migration trends are also accelerating hyperscale expansion, particularly in the Asia Pacific, where digital transformation is rapidly increasing internet penetration.

    Governments are supporting growth through policies like India’s designation of data centers as infrastructure, easing financing and regulatory hurdles, and the U.S. offering tax incentives for projects integrating renewable energy.

    Sustainability is emerging as a critical factor, with operators adopting energy-efficient designs and renewable integration.

    Liquid cooling technologies and decentralized edge computing are also gaining traction to address heat density and latency challenges, reflecting the evolving demands of modern data workloads.

    North America currently dominates the market, while BFSI remains the largest end-user segment. Major players include Amazon Web Services, Google, Microsoft, Equinix, and Dell Technologies.

  • 17th PHILSME Business Expo Holds Successful Media Launch Ahead of November Expo

    17th PHILSME Business Expo Holds Successful Media Launch Ahead of November Expo

    The 17th Philippine SME Business Expo: Entrepreneur and Franchise Edition successfully held its official Media Launch at SPACES Century Diamond Tower in Makati City, bringing together the event organizers, top sponsors, and media partners in anticipation of the country’s biggest business-to-business expo for SMEs and franchise ventures, happening on November 28–29, 2025 at the World Trade Center Metro Manila.

    The launch was led by Mediatrix Solutions CEO and PHILSME Managing Director Trixie Esguerra-Abrenilla, who expressed gratitude to media partners and sponsors for their continued support in empowering Filipino entrepreneurs.

    “PHILSME has become a trusted platform that connects, empowers, and celebrates the country’s small and medium enterprises,” said Esguerra-Abrenilla. “This upcoming expo builds on our shared mission to inspire collaboration and create real opportunities for business owners to thrive.”

    The panel also featured officials of the expo’s major sponsors: Toyota Motor Philippines Manager Renz Patrick Diaz, who reaffirmed Toyota’s commitment to mobility solutions designed specifically for businesses; GCash B2B Commercial Head Martin Kristopher Limgenco II, who highlighted how digital finance is accelerating operational efficiency and financial inclusion among SMEs; and Taho Story Chairman & Co-Founder Jude Paul Espinas, who shared his entrepreneurial journey of modernizing a Filipino classic.

    Attending media partners participated in a lively open forum with the panel, discussing the evolving business landscape and the exciting features of the upcoming expo, which continues to be the Philippines’ largest and most comprehensive B2B event for entrepreneurs and franchise leaders.

    During the discussion, the panel also explored how Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) can be encouraged to set up businesses in the Philippines through their families — giving them opportunities to eventually return home with sustainable livelihood.

    The expo’s dedicated Franchising Village will help OFW families scout and assess the most suitable franchise opportunities and business options to support their long-term goals.

    After the Q&A led by host Tish Lindaya, a networking segment with light snacks followed, allowing the press to directly connect with organizers and sponsors to explore collaborations within the SME ecosystem.

    First Lineup of Conference Speakers Revealed

    The Media Launch also announced the first batch of confirmed speakers for the PHILSME Expo and Conference — a two-day learning program that will feature the country’s most inspiring business mentors and thought leaders:

    ● MYRNA NATIVIDAD (Mommy Negosyo) – Founder of Mommy Negosyo and author of Grow Your Business, Pinoy!, known for mentoring thousands of Filipinos on growing purpose-driven businesses while raising families.

    ● DR. FRANCISCO “DEAN PAX” LAPID – Chairman and CEO of IT-SPAC and AIOS.PH, serial entrepreneur, and TOP30 LinkedIn Leader Philippines recognized for championing AI-driven business solutions.

    ● JONATHAN YABUT – Winner of The Apprentice Asia, motivational speaker, and founder of The JY Consultancy & Ventures, known across Southeast Asia as “Asia’s Millennial Guru.”

    ● BOSS RDR (Reymond Delos Reyes) – Entrepreneur, motivational speaker, and content creator behind RDR Talks, inspiring aspiring business owners through digital storytelling and mentorship.

    PHILSME and PhilStar Media Group Forge Partnership to Strengthen MSME Advocacy

    The Media Launch also marked a milestone partnership between PHILSME and the NakakaLocal project of the PhilStar Media Group, formalizing their collaboration to amplify support for Filipino entrepreneurs nationwide.

    The partnership brings together PHILSME’s mission to help grow SMEs and NakakaLocal’s advocacy for Filipino MSMEs, the country’s largest employment sector.

    Representing PHILSME at the media announcement were CEO and Managing Director Trixie Esguerra-Abrenilla, COS and Media Director Angie Quadra-Balibay, with Partner Success Manager Mailine Upano and Partner Success Officer Franchezca Romano.

    From the PhilStar Media Group, attendees included Marketing Manager Jenalyn Sarte, and Trade and Brand Specialists Kayla Rodriguez and Gerielle To.

    Register Now for Free Tickets to the 17th PHILSME Expo

    The 17th PHILSME Business Expo: Entrepreneur and Franchise Edition will feature over 130 exhibitors, showcasing more than 180 brands and business solutionsdesigned to help entrepreneurs grow and scale.

    The event is expected to attract over 10,000 attendees from across the Philippines and around the world, offering unmatched opportunities for learning, networking, and collaboration.

    Pre-register now for free tickets at www.philsme.com/ticket.​
    Walk-ins during the expo will be subject to an entrance fee.

    About PHILSME
    The Philippine SME Business Expo (PHILSME) is the country’s leading business-to-business event gathering 10,000+ business owners, startup founders, franchise seekers, and professionals dedicated to empowering small and medium enterprises.

    Now organized by MediaTrix Solutions Inc., the expo connects entrepreneurs with suppliers, partners, and mentors to help them grow, innovate, and succeed in a competitive market.

     

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  • Canon backs Philippine Red Cross relief efforts

    Canon backs Philippine Red Cross relief efforts

    Canon Marketing (Philippines), Inc., together with Canon Business Machines (Philippines), Inc. (CBMP) and Canon Business Service Centre Phils., Inc. (CBSC), has extended support to the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) to bolster ongoing relief and recovery efforts in Visayas and Mindanao.

    The donation was personally turned over to Philippine Red Cross Chairman Richard Gordon and Secretary General Gwendolyn Pang, underscoring Canon’s continued commitment to stand alongside Filipino communities during times of hardship.

    “Our support for the Philippine Red Cross reflects our deep belief in the philosophy of Kyosei – working together for the common good,” said Mr. Anuj Aggarwal, President & CEO of Canon Marketing (Philippines), Inc.

    “In moments of challenge, we step forward not just as a company, but as a partner and a friend to the communities we serve. We are proud to share our resources, our time, and our unwavering support to help rebuild lives and bring hope to those affected in Visayas and Mindanao.”

    Philippine Red Cross Chairman Richard Gordon expressed appreciation for the collaboration and highlighted the critical role of private-sector support in humanitarian response.

    “We at the Philippine Red Cross sincerely welcome Canon’s donation and solidarity in this mission,” said Gordon. “It is through partnerships like this—corporate leaders stepping up, volunteers tirelessly delivering—that communities recover stronger and more resilient. Thank you to Canon for making a meaningful and lasting impact.”

    This initiative reflects Canon’s Kyosei philosophy of living and working together for the common good as the company continues to support nationwide efforts to rebuild, restore livelihoods, and strengthen resilience in disaster-affected communities.

    About Canon in the Philippines

    Canon is a global multibillion-dollar company offering one of the world’s most extensive digital imaging product portfolios – from personal imaging devices to business solutions.

    In the most recent U.S. patent rankings, Canon marked its 38th consecutive year among the top five U.S. patent holders and its 19th straight year as the leading Japanese company, underscoring the company’s enduring culture of innovation and technological leadership.

    Rooted in its Kyosei philosophy of living and working together for the common good, Canon delivers total imaging solutions that enhance both personal and professional experiences.

    The brand has been consistently recognized among Interbrand’s Best Global Brands for over two decades, reflecting its strong reputation for reliability, performance, and responsible corporate citizenship.

    In the Philippines, Canon Marketing (Philippines), Inc. operates nationwide with a strong network of offices and authorized service centers. The organization has received multiple distinctions, including the Corporate Award and the Gold Bagwis Seal of Excellence for outstanding customer service.

    Canon Philippines is committed to sustainability, integrating environmentally responsible practices across its operations and product lifecycle to help build a greener future.

    For press materials, visit the Canon Press Center.
    For product and service inquiries, contact the Customer Care Hotline at +63-2-884-9000.

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  • VinFast launches residual value guarantee program in the Philippines, offering value protection of up to 90 percent

    VinFast launches residual value guarantee program in the Philippines, offering value protection of up to 90 percent

    VinFast has announced its Residual Value Guarantee (RVG) Program for the Philippine market, under which the company provides a guaranteed vehicle value of up to 90 percent of the original price.

    This pioneering policy provides customers greater peace of mind when transitioning to electric vehicles, accelerates the broader shift toward green mobility, and reaffirms VinFast’s long-term commitment to the Philippine market. 

    To strengthen customer confidence in the long-term value of electric vehicles, starting November 2025, VinFast will apply a guaranteed residual value plan based on a fixed annual depreciation schedule.

    After the vehicle is inspected and confirmed to meet eligibility criteria, the maximum guaranteed residual values are set at 90 percent after six months of use, 86 percent after one year, 78 percent after two years, and 70 percent after three years.

    The RVG Program applies to VinFast’s entire product lineup in the Philippines, from the VF 3 to the VF 9, and is available to new customers. The program is the latest in a series of customer-centric solutions VinFast is implementing in the Philippines to facilitate the transition to electric vehicles.

    Earlier initiatives include a vehicle warranty of up to 10 years, three years of free charging at stations operated by strategic partner V-Green, flexible financing options, and 24-hour technical support and roadside assistance.

    Antonio Zara, CEO of VinFast Southeast Asia,stated: “With a residual value guarantee of up to 90% of the vehicle’s list price, VinFast aims to make EV ownership more accessible and reassuring for Filipino consumers. When combined with our other support programs, we believe electric vehicles will soon become a natural and reliable choice for households and individual users across the Philippines. This program reflects our long-term commitment to the market and reinforces our strong belief in the quality of our products.”

    After more than a year in the Philippine market, VinFast has steadily strengthened its presence with a diverse EV portfolio, flexible sales policies, and dedicated after-sales services.

    Alongside its growing network of authorized dealerships, VinFast collaborates with leading local partners to operate a wide network of maintenance service centers, providing customers with convenient and consistent service nationwide.

    In the next phase, VinFast will continue to expand its distribution and service network in key locations in the Philippines, further developing a comprehensive EV ecosystem centered on sustainable mobility.

    This reinforces the company’s long-term commitment to Filipino consumers and lays the foundation for sustainable growth moving forward.

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  • Manulife Bets Big on Helping People Beat Aging and Financial Stress

    Manulife Bets Big on Helping People Beat Aging and Financial Stress

    Today, Manulife announced the launch of the Longevity Institute, a global platform that will seek to drive action to help people live longer, healthier, and more financially secure lives.

    Backed by a $350 million commitment, the Longevity Institute will work to champion research, innovation, and partnerships that will help people thrive at every age.

    As a global leader in life insurance, asset management, and retirement planning, Manulife is deeply invested in the health and well-being of its customers.

    However, the gap between how long people live (lifespan) and their quality of life (healthspan) is widening — with many spending up to 20% of their lives in poor health, and nearly 40% facing financial insecurity as they age.

    The Longevity Institute aims to close this gap by reimagining how people live, work, learn, and contribute throughout their lives. 

    “Empowering health, wealth, and longevity is central to Manulife’s bold new ambition. It aligns with our values and our commitment to the communities we operate in, and we are uniquely placed to help individuals and families navigate the growing gap between lifespan and healthspan,” said Phil Witherington, President and CEO of Manulife.

    “For generations now, Manulife has supported customers at every stage of life, and we see a powerful opportunity to scale our expertise and help even more people live longer, healthier, better lives. Through the Longevity Institute, we will partner with organizations that share our purpose, unlock new insights, drive innovation, and create a future where everyone can thrive—at any age.”  

    The Longevity Institute will focus on igniting global research and thought leadership to better understand how people can flourish as they live longer; accelerating innovation and advocacy through initiatives that promote health, wellness, and financial readiness; and investing in community partnershipsthat advance knowledge, promote equity, and drive action around longevity. 

    Steve Finch, President & CEO, Manulife Asia said, “With the demographic shifts in Asia, where one in four people will be over the age of 60 by 2050, it’s crucial to rethink traditional approaches to financial planning, health care, and workforce participation. At Manulife, we are committed to driving innovation that promotes long-term financial resilience, equitable healthy aging, and lifelong fulfillment. By supporting early-stage innovations and providing comprehensive solutions, we aim to help people live better for longer and secure their financial futures.” 

    Initiatives 

    Manulife has a long history of driving impact through programs, products, services, and community investments dating back to 1888, when Manulife gifted an ambulance to the City of Toronto—its first act of public service to help people live longer, healthier lives. 

    To mark the launch of the Institute and build on our long history of impact, Manulife is pleased to share new and ongoing initiatives that reflect our commitment to advancing longevity through meaningful action: 

    ● Partnering with the National Institute of Ageing: Manulife is supporting the National Institute on Ageing’s annual Ageing in Canada Survey, conducted in partnership with Toronto Metropolitan University. This important research explores the lived experiences of Canadians aged 50+ to inform policies that promote healthy aging. 

    ● Partnering with the Milken Institute: Manulife has supported the Milken Institute to advance thought leadership and research on some of the most critical issues shaping longevity and the future of health. Feeding Change‘s work and recent policy brief highlight opportunities for strengthening resilient fruit and vegetable production and integrating food into health interventions. The Future of Aginginitiative and new report, Longevity Ready: A Systems Approach to Aging Well at Home, elevates solutions enabling current and future generations to prepare for longer, healthier lives in their homes and communities.

    ● Longevity Symposiums: The Manulife and John Hancock Longevity Symposiums began in Boston two years ago and are now expanding globally. Recently, Manulife Singaporeand Manulife Philippines hosted inaugural events in Asia, bringing together healthcare experts, industry leaders, financial consultants, customers, and partners—to explore how people can live not just longer, but better. John Hancock will host its third Longer. Healthier. Better. Longevity Symposium in the U.S. in April 2026. 

    The launch of the Longevity Institute quickly follows John Hancock’s inaugural Longevity Preparedness Index — developed with MIT AgeLab, which measures how ready U.S. adults are to thrive as they age. This index will expand to cover Canada in future years and provides insights that support the need for continued longevity advancements and innovations. 

    Outcomes 

    The Longevity Institute will build upon Manulife’s existing efforts to help more than 36 million customers improve their health and wealth. This work aims to drive the following outcomes: 

    ● Health: Help people make everyday choices that support their physical, mental, and emotional well-being—through better nutrition, early detection, movement, and mental health support that fits into real life.

    ● Wealth: Empower people to feel confident about their financial future, with tools, education, and support that help them weather life’s ups and downs and build lasting financial security.

    A comprehensive list of the Institute’s work and partnerships to date can be found in this fact sheet. The Institute will be known as the John Hancock Longevity Institute in the United States. For more information on the Longevity Institute, and to stay up to date on the Institute’s actions, insights, and events through 2030, visit Manulife.com/Longevity.  

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  • Could This Device Finally Free Filipinos From Meralco Bills?

    Could This Device Finally Free Filipinos From Meralco Bills?

    EcoFlow has officially entered the Southeast Asian market with the launch of its PowerOcean Single-phase home solar battery system in the Philippines.

    The product aims to deliver reliable backup power, smart energy management, and cost-efficient energy independence for households amid rising electricity costs and frequent power interruptions.

    The Philippines faces some of the highest power rates in the region and persistent grid instability, particularly in island and rural areas.

    EcoFlow’s entry targets these pain points by offering an integrated solar-plus-storage system that maximizes energy use and minimizes waste, unlike standalone solar panels that leave excess energy untapped.

    Equipped with a high-efficiency inverter that supports up to 12 kW PV input and 95% depth of discharge, PowerOcean uses artificial intelligence to manage when to charge, discharge, or export energy to the grid.

    It automatically adjusts based on time-of-use rates, weather forecasts, and consumption patterns to reduce household electricity bills.

    Each unit starts at 5 kWh and can expand up to 15 kWh, allowing homeowners to scale capacity as needed.

    With 6,000 battery life cycles and a 10-year warranty, PowerOcean promises long-term durability. The system is IP65-rated for safety and can be controlled via an app with voice-command functionality.

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  • Lazada Joins Forces With YouTube in a Game-Changing Deal

    Lazada Joins Forces With YouTube in a Game-Changing Deal

    YouTube today announced updates to the YouTube Shopping affiliate program to further fuel the thriving video commerce in the Philippines, including Lazada onboarding onto the program, as well as new and upcoming features to make Shopping experience more seamless on YouTube.

    Southeast Asia has been shaping the future of shopping with a deeply engaged video-first audience, a profitable digital economy and a vibrant creator community.

    According to a Kantar Survey, majority (85%) of surveyed respondents in Southeast Asia said they use YouTube Shorts in their shopping journey, demonstrating viewers’ trust in creator recommendations and their desire for authentic product reviews.

    Also, it is one of the world’s fastest-growing e-commerce markets, with video commerce having surged to 20% of the region’s e-commerce gross merchandise value in 2024. 

    These, combined with the thriving creator ecosystem in the Philippines has fueled the growth of YouTube Shopping over the past year. Since its launch in Southeast Asia last year, the YouTube Shopping affiliate program has been empowering creators across the region to diversify their revenue and fans to shop product recommendations directly from their favorite creators, without ever leaving the video they are watching.

    There has been a 5X increase in global YouTube Shopping Gross Merchandise Volume (GMV), as well as over 70% increase in shopping related watchtime in the Philippines year-over-year. 

    YouTube Shopping has also proven to be effective in helping viewers find their new favorite product, with 81% of survey respondents who used Google/YouTube in their shopping journey likely to buy the same brand again and 90% saying they are satisfied with their purchase.

    In addition, with YouTube Shopping, brands can also tap into highly engaged audiences through powerful creator-led partnerships.

    To further scale this growing Shopping ecosystem, YouTube is welcoming Lazada to the YouTube Shopping affiliate program for the Philippines. Lazada, one of the leading eCommerce platforms, has been connecting consumers with sellers and brands in the region.

    With the partnership, creators will have access to a wide range of products to tag on their videos, while viewers will be able to get recommendations for more diverse products while watching content from their favorite creators.

    This will also open up more opportunities for brands to drive traffic and sales on Lazada by partnering with creators.

    “We’re excited to empower our Lazada Affiliates with new earning opportunities through YouTube Shopping,” said Carlos Barrera, Chief Executive Officer, Lazada Philippines.

    YouTube continues to invest in features to make the shopping experience more seamless. Based on valuable feedback from the creator community, YouTube introduced Stickers on Shorts, which add an engaging visual pop-up to tagged products for instant shopping, Timestamps, which show shopping tags exactly at the moment products are showcased, and the new YouTube Shopping Chrome Extension which allows creators to easily save products to tag in their videos later.

    In addition, YouTube recently updated the product tagging guidelines for creators, sharing tips and best practices for creators and providing clarity on frequently asked topics. 

    YouTube is also leaning on AI to enhance the shopping experience for creators. YouTube recently introduced Auto Timestamps, which leverages an AI-powered system to automatically display the product tag at the exact moment they’re mentioned in a video, capturing viewer interest when it’s highest and saving creators’ time.

    YouTube will also begin testing the ability to automatically identify and tag all eligible products mentioned in videos later this year.

    “Creators are the heart of YouTube, and we are deeply committed to helping them thrive in the Philippines digital economy. We’ve seen incredible momentum with YouTube Shopping in the region over the past year and are further scaling the program by welcoming Lazada to our affiliate program and introducing new features to YouTube Shopping,” said Prep Palacio, Country Manager, Google Philippines. 

    YouTube remains committed to growing the creator economy and building towards a future where shopping on YouTube is intuitive, engaging, and rewarding for everyone.

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  • Kaspersky launches new cybersecurity solution for private Linux users in PH

    Kaspersky launches new cybersecurity solution for private Linux users in PH

    Global cybersecurity company Kaspersky has officially launched its consumer cybersecurity solution for Linux users in the Philippines, bringing its award-winning protection to a broader range of operating systems.

    The solution is designed to safeguard personal and payment data, detect and remove malware, and protect against phishing, scams, and emerging digital threats.

    Although Linux has long been regarded as one of the most secure operating systems, Kaspersky data shows that cybercriminals are increasingly exploiting Linux vulnerabilities.

    During the first quarter of 2024 alone, attacks using exploits against Linux users surged by nearly 130 percent compared to the same period the previous year, driven by the system’s growing popularity among developers, businesses, and crypto users.

    Latest Kaspersky Security Network (KSN) data showed that 20 percent of users in the Philippines encountered Internet-borne threats between July and September 2025, while 19.3 percent faced local infections via removable media and offline channels.

    These figures place the country among the most targeted worldwide, highlighting persistent risks from financial scams, phishing pages, and malware disguised as legitimate downloads.

    Kaspersky for Linux provides comprehensive digital life protection based on leading Kaspersky technologies that successfully protect both users and businesses around the world. Among the solution’s key features are:

    • Monitoring of systems, devices, and individual files to detect and remove malware.
    • Scanning for threats on removable media, such as USB and hard drives, when they are connected to a computer.
    • Malware detection by continuous monitoring of device’s performance to ensure proactive protection. 
    • Checking visited websites and downloaded files for malicious code.
    • Notification about any attempt to click on a phishing link.
    • Support of key Linux distributions such as Ubuntu, ALT Linux, Uncom and RedOS.

    “There is a belief that there are practically no cyber threats for Linux, but that’s not true. Our expertise and many years of experience in ensuring the security of devices running on this operating system in a corporate environment have formed the basis for a new solution for private users — Kaspersky for Linux,” said Anton Ivanov, Chief Technology Officer at Kaspersky. 

    “Its appearance is a logical extension of the development of Kaspersky’s B2C portfolio. The solution helps to counter malware, online fraud and ensures the complete safety of our customers’ digital lives,” he added. 

    Kaspersky’s consumer products have long been recognized by independent international testing labs. The company was named Product of the Year by AV-Comparatives in 2023 and earned theTop-Rated Product award in 2024.

    These exceptional results reaffirm Kaspersky’s dedication to providing top-tier cybersecurity across all platforms. 

    Kaspersky for Linux is available in three subscription plans: Kaspersky Standard, Kaspersky Plus and Kaspersky Premium.

    Users can get acquainted with the functionality of Kaspersky for Linux for free in a trial version for 30 days. More information about the solution and system requirements is available on the website.

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