To help users navigate concerns such as unauthorized transactions, account takeovers, scams, and 鈥渨rong send鈥� errors, GCash provides clear and accessible reporting tools designed to enable faster resolution. By knowing exactly where to seek help, users can better protect their accounts and minimize financial risks in an increasingly cashless ecosystem.

Built-in support channels and security safeguards

GCash provides a range of official help channels designed to address different types of concerns. Inside the app, users can access in-app guides that offer step-by-step instructions for common issues. The GCash Help Center also serves as a central hub where users can find articles, submit requests, and report concerns.

For transaction-related concerns, the transaction history feature allows users to review details and identify discrepancies. Error notifications within the app also help flag failed or suspicious activities, prompting users to take action when needed.

Users seeking direct support can connect with Gigi, the chat agent in the Help Center which serves as the primary channel for account-related concerns. Through Gigi, users can report lost SIM cards or phones, request transfer of funds, and apply for wallet limit upgrades, with guided steps to help resolve these cases quickly.

For more complex concerns, live agent support is available to handle cases that require deeper investigation, such as unauthorized transactions or account takeovers. Users can听get in touch with听these agents by calling the official听GCash听Help Center hotline at 2882.

These support channels are structured based on the level of concern. Simple issues can often be resolved through guides and self-service tools, while more sensitive cases are escalated to trained support agents. This approach helps ensure that users receive the right level of听assistance听without unnecessary delays.

Alongside this support ecosystem are security features built into the听GCash听app that give users an added layer of protection. Account Secure limits account access to one device at a time.听DoubleSafe听adds an extra verification step that requires selfie scans to confirm the user鈥檚 identity, especially for high-risk activities such as logging in to a new device and high-value transactions. Biometrics Login and MPIN Protection confirm that only the account owner can authorize transactions, while One-Time Passwords (OTP) provide an听additional听check for sensitive actions.

A shared effort to keep digital financing safe

Beyond its in-app security features and help channels,听GCash听also works closely with regulators and law enforcement agencies such as the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) and PH Payments Management Inc. (PPMI) to detect and act on fraud.听GCash听has blocked more than 4,900 fraudulent merchants linked to听quishing听or QR phishing schemes, reflecting the scale of its enforcement efforts.

The company continues to strengthen its customer experience by refining support tools and reducing response times. Enhancements are regularly introduced to make it easier for users to report concerns and track the status of their requests.

“Resolving a concern quickly starts with going to the right channel. We have built our support system so that users can find the help they need, whether it is a simple guide in the app or a conversation with a live agent,鈥� said Paul Velasquez, GCash AVP and Head of Customer Service Operations.

GCash also encourages users to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity immediately through official support channels. The company advises transacting only through official GCash channels and verifying website URLs before completing any payment. No one from GCash will ever ask for an OTP, MPIN, or password.

Suspicious activity can be reported through the听GCash听Help Center in the app or by going to and听submitting听a ticket. Users can also call the official hotline at 2882 to speak to a live agent.

For more information on account safety and available support, visit .

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Over 65% of SME outsourcing initiatives听fail to听achieve their stated financial or customer experience听objectives. Fortune 500 corporations听operate听under a completely different paradigm 鈥� a structured 6-Phase procurement protocol that reduces operational failure to near zero. This is the full framework.

The standard approach to offshore call center selection among small and medium enterprises closely mirrors the process of purchasing a commodity service. An executive submits contact credentials to an online aggregator or a handful of visible Philippine BPOs. Within days, three to five generalized price quotes arrive. A few introductory calls are scheduled. The final outsourcing decision is made based on superficial variables: who presented the most polished sales deck, who felt most trustworthy on camera, or who offered the lowest hourly rate.听

While this reactive approach works for commoditized utilities, applying it to offshore Business Process Outsourcing is mathematically catastrophic. When an organization treats a strategic operational integration like a transactional vendor purchase, they enter an unmitigated game of operational Russian roulette 鈥� and the house always wins.

Why Are the Most Visible Philippine BPO Providers the Wrong Choice for SME Buyers?

The most visible Philippine BPOs 鈥� those dominating search results, directories, and broker recommendations 鈥� employ between 20,000 and 100,000 staff and are built exclusively for Fortune 500-scale programs. An SME outsourcing 10 to 100 seats is operationally invisible to these providers, assigned to junior teams, and deprioritized against larger accounts.

The Philippine BPO industry employs 1.9 million professionals across more than 1,000 registered companies 鈥� but the top 50 providers account for an estimated 70% of total industry employment and revenue. The providers with the highest visibility and the most polished sales operations are precisely the providers for whom an SME engagement is operationally irrelevant.听听

This is听The Visibility Trap.

Why Do Over 65% of SME Philippine Outsourcing Initiatives Fail 鈥� While Fortune 500 Programs Succeed?

SME outsourcing initiatives fail at over 65% because they select vendors through reactive, transactional processes 鈥� price quotes, Zoom calls, and sales decks 鈥� rather than structured evaluation architecture. The failure rate is not a Philippine vendor quality problem. It is a procurement methodology problem.

Sales Deck Asymmetry:听The measurable delta between what a BPO鈥檚 sales team promises in a pitch and the actual operational capacity of the team assigned to the account post-contracting. The primary mechanism by which SME outsourcing engagements fail within their first 90 days.

Procurement Drift:听The gradual alignment of a client organization鈥檚 operations with a vendor鈥檚 internal limitations rather than the client鈥檚 own corporate goals 鈥� a slow, invisible erosion of expected value that never generates a formal failure event.

According to John Maczynski, CEO of听 and the former global EVP of the world鈥檚 largest contact center outsourcing provider, 鈥�In 40 years in this industry, I have seen the same failure pattern repeat across hundreds of SME outsourcing engagements: a buyer selects a vendor based on a 45-minute Zoom call and a slide deck designed by a sales team that will never manage the account. The operations team they meet in Month 3 is entirely different from the team they evaluated. Sales Deck Asymmetry is not a vendor dishonesty problem 鈥� it is a procurement architecture problem. The Fortune 500 protocol is specifically engineered to eliminate it before a contract is signed.鈥�

What Is the Fortune 500 Protocol for Selecting a Philippine Call Center Partner?

The Fortune 500 protocol is a structured 6-phase, 12-week procurement lifecycle. Each phase eliminates a specific failure mode that the standard SME approach leaves open. For smaller, less mission-critical engagements under 20 FTEs, the process can be compressed to as little as 4 weeks.

, CSO of PITON-Global and a 25-year veteran of Philippine outsourcing operations, on what the protocol reveals: 鈥�The unannounced audit in Phase 4 is where vendor selection is truly made or broken. In 25 years of evaluating Philippine BPO providers, I have seen impeccable RFI/RFP responses and polished executive presentations fall apart completely when we walked the floor unannounced and spoke directly with the team leaders who would听actually run听the account. The Fortune 500 protocol is not bureaucratic overhead 鈥� it is the only mechanism that听eliminates Sales Deck Asymmetry before it becomes a contractual dispute.鈥�

What Is Procurement Drift 鈥� and Why Is It More Dangerous Than听an Outright听Outsourcing Failure?

Procurement Drift is the gradual alignment of a client鈥檚 operations with a vendor鈥檚 internal limitations rather than the client鈥檚 own goals. It is more dangerous than an outright failure because it is invisible: the vendor hits 94% of SLA targets 鈥� close enough to avoid escalation, too low to deliver the ROI the engagement was justified on.

Procurement Drift manifests as acceptable CSAT scores masking eroding institutional knowledge, agent turnover within permitted contractual bands slowly degrading delivery quality, and a vendor quietly deprioritizing the client鈥檚 account once a larger contract arrives. No crisis. No formal failure event. Just a slow, compounding tax on the value the outsourcing program was supposed to create.

The predictive SLA/KPI governance frameworks听established听in Phase 5 are the only structural defense 鈥� detecting the leading indicators of misalignment, not the lagging ones. A vendor trending toward a missed target in Week 8 generates an automated alert. A vendor听operating听under an SME hourly contract generates an invoice.

Ellspermann on what Procurement Drift costs in practice: 鈥�We have taken on clients who came to us after two or three years with a vendor they never formally fired 鈥� because the vendor never formally failed. The CSAT was acceptable. But the ROI that justified the outsourcing decision had quietly evaporated. That is Procurement Drift. The governance frameworks in our protocol exist specifically to make the invisible visible 鈥� before it becomes irreversible.鈥�

For a Philippine call center outsourcing initiative to deliver sustained enterprise value, the vendor search must shift from an exercise in finding the lowest hourly price point to a meticulous engineering project designed to eliminate operational friction. Structural resilience, Sales Deck Asymmetry elimination, and Procurement Drift prevention are achieved only through the rigorous, uncompromised execution of a 6-phase selection protocol 鈥� and the institutional advisory expertise to run it.

听on听what PITON-Global鈥檚听advisory model gives service buyers: 鈥�Most SMEs do not have experienced BPO procurement resources in-house. That is the institutional knowledge gap that kills outsourcing programs before they start 鈥� and it is precisely what PITON-Global provides. We give smaller organizations access to the same forensic vendor selection expertise typically found only inside globally operating corporations with large, dedicated procurement divisions. And we do it at no cost and without any obligation to the client.

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These gains are being realized across the Group, where sustainability-driven efficiencies are strengthening operations while also translating into real value for customers. BPI now uses 100% renewable energy for 70 of its branches, while Globe has transitioned over 3,000 cell sites and smaller facilities to cleaner energy sources. By managing energy costs and reducing exposure to fuel price volatility, these initiatives help support more reliable services and more stable cost structures for consumers.

Building on these gains, the Ayala Group is extending the benefits of its sustainability efforts beyond its own operations by enabling households to directly access cleaner and more cost-efficient solutions. BPI鈥檚 Green Solutions offerings provide financing for residential solar installations and electric vehicles through flexible loan terms, competitive rates, and partnerships with accredited providers that help lower upfront costs. Demand continues to grow, with BPI reporting strong uptake in green consumer loans and an electric vehicle financing portfolio of around P12 billion.
听

Electrified mobility is听emerging听as one of the most direct ways to help consumers manage听high听fuel costs. As听ACMobility听CEO Jaime Alfonso Zobel de Ayala emphasized, 鈥淎t听ACMobility, our strategy was underpinned by a strong conviction that the cost of mobility has historically been a pain point for many Filipinos. Our view is that with the efficiency and the durability of battery technology, new energy vehicles directly address this pain point, providing retail customers with more affordable mobility options, as well as providing the broader population with innovations in energy security.鈥�
听
Demand is accelerating, with electrified vehicles accounting for 12% of new vehicle sales in 2025 and rising further in early 2026. Other things being equal,听with today鈥檚 fuel prices, an EV charged at home听can deliver up to 70% savings compared to a gasoline-powered听car,听a value proposition further enhanced by the fact that EVs in general have lower maintenance costs because听of fewer moving parts and no oil changes required. Through ACMobility, Ayala is scaling this transition by expanding access to EVs and building a nationwide charging network across more than 200 locations, making cleaner and more cost-efficient transport increasingly practical for Filipino consumers.
听
This shift is increasingly visible on the ground. Through the 鈥淒rive Electric. Love Pinas.鈥� campaign with the Department of Tourism, ACMobility听is听demonstrating that sustainable, electrified land travel across the Philippines is both possible and practical.

Ayala Land is also helping consumers manage听high fuel costs through integrated, walkable communities that reduce reliance on long commutes. By bringing homes, workplaces, retail, and essential services closer together within its estates, the company helps residents save both time and transportation costs while improving everyday convenience. Many Ayala Land estates also feature transport hubs and point-to-point (P2P) routes that provide more practical and accessible mobility options for commuters.
听
Approximately 98% of Ayala Malls now听operate on renewable energy and are supported by energy-efficient systems that help manage operating costs and improve operational efficiency. Together, these initiatives contribute to more resilient developments and more sustainable, cost-efficient ways of living.

In听logistics, where fuel costs directly听impact听the price of goods, AC Logistics is deploying renewable energy听across its operations, expanding its use in warehouses and cold chain facilities, electrifying delivery fleets, and redesigning its network to reduce fuel dependence. These initiatives help听stabilize听costs, improve reliability, and strengthen supply chains,听enabling businesses to serve customers more efficiently while providing end consumers with more affordable, dependable, and sustainably delivered goods.
听

At the same time, Globe is helping households adapt to听high听fuel costs and shifting work and learning patterns by making high-speed connectivity more accessible. Globe鈥檚听GFiber Prepaid offers faster, more reliable internet at affordable rates, supporting productivity, learning, and connectivity for families.
听
Together, these efforts highlight how Ayala鈥檚 sustainability initiatives are translating into practical benefits for consumers.

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Drawing thousands of residents and visitors, the multi-day festival showcased the municipality鈥檚 rich culture and longstanding halo-halo tradition through street parades, cultural performances, musical competitions, and the preparation of a giant halo-halo shared among the community.

For AMC, the celebration represents more than a festive gathering. It reflects decades of livelihood and entrepreneurship built around halo-halo vendors in Esperanza, many of whom have relied on Alaska products for generations.

Close to 30 halo-halo stalls in Esperanza, several of which have been operating since the 1970s, continue to use Alaska Evaporated Milk as one of their key ingredients. AMC has been supporting the festival for the past four years through the efforts of its Mindanao Sales Team.

One of the longtime vendors, Chona听Ramoran听Mediadero, shared how halo-halo helped uplift her family鈥檚 life.

鈥淏ecause of this livelihood, I was able to send my two children to college and they have already graduated,鈥� she said. 鈥淔or the past 32 years, I鈥檝e only been using Alaska Evaporated Milk, which makes my halo-halo very delicious.鈥�

The highlight of this year鈥檚 celebration was the preparation of a giant halo-halo served in a massive container and shared by hundreds of festivalgoers amid the intense summer heat. Prepared collectively by the local government and community members, the activity symbolized unity, cooperation, and shared prosperity among Esperanza residents.

The festival also underscored the cultural significance of halo-halo, which听literally means听鈥渕ix-mix,鈥� reflecting the blending of traditions and communities in Sultan Kudarat.

Historical accounts from local cultural advocates trace Esperanza鈥檚 halo-halo industry back to the early 1970s, when vendors established stalls that eventually became one of the municipality鈥檚 most recognized economic and cultural symbols. Over the decades, halo-halo evolved from a simple local delicacy into a source of livelihood supporting generations of families.

Mayor Charles Federic 鈥淛unjun鈥� Plote帽a emphasized the importance of preserving the festival and passing its meaning to younger generations.

鈥�Ipamana natin sa mga kabataan ang tunay na diwa ng Halo-Halo Festival. Ang Esperanza po ay mananatiling mag-uumpisa sa halo-halo. Ang kasaganahan, kapayapaan, at patuloy na pag-progreso ng ating bayan ay mag-uumpisa at matatapos sa halo-halo,鈥� he said.

Joshue Glenn Catubag, Distributor Manager of Alaska Milk Corp., said the company鈥檚 continued support for the festival is aligned with AMC鈥檚 broader purpose of supporting Filipino communities while helping provide affordable and accessible nutrition.听

鈥淪upporting Esperanza鈥檚 Halo-Halo Festival is aligned with our purpose of providing affordable and accessible nutrition to Filipino families in every glass and on every plate,鈥澨鼵atubag听said. 鈥淎MC鈥檚 products not only make halo-halo delicious and creamy, but they also help make it nutritious.鈥�听

Beyond the festivities, the annual celebration continues to boost tourism, strengthen community pride, and sustain local businesses in Esperanza 鈥� demonstrating how a beloved Filipino dessert can continue creating opportunities and bringing communities together across generations.

Spotlight is 大象传媒鈥檚 sponsored section that allows advertisers to amplify their brand and connect with 大象传媒鈥檚 audience by publishing their stories on the 大象传媒 Web site. For more information, send an email to听online@bworldonline.com.

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With rising fuel costs, more Filipinos are adjusting how they move, whether by shifting to motorcycles or electric vehicles, managing fuel consumption, or exploring alternative transport and routes. Despite these dynamic shifts, road safety must remain top-of-mind.

Road Safety Awareness Month, supported by agencies such as the Land Transportation Office and the Department of Transportation, promotes responsible road use and aims to reduce accidents nationwide. In support of this advocacy, Pioneer is calling听on motorists, riders, and pedestrians to practice greater mindfulness and shared responsibility on the road.

鈥淭ogether, we can make our roads safer by looking out for one another and extending consideration to every driver, rider, and pedestrian we encounter,鈥� said Iluminado Garcia III, Motor Head of Pioneer Insurance. 鈥淪afety becomes stronger when people are mindful not just of their own journey, but of others around them.鈥�

Motorcycles remain one of the most widely used modes of transportation, while private vehicles continue to play a key role in daily mobility. With increased exposure on the road, simple acts 鈥� such as giving way, keeping safe distances, avoiding phone usage while riding, using proper safety gear, and staying patient in traffic 鈥� can help prevent accidents and create a more cooperative road environment.

Even with these precautions, unexpected situations can still happen, making preparation just as important as prevention.

Pioneer supports motorists and riders as a one-stop shop for a wide range of insurance solutions designed to help manage the financial impact of road risks.

These include Compulsory Third Party Liability (CTPL) insurance required for vehicle registration, RideSure Comprehensive Motorcycle Insurance for riders, and comprehensive motor insurance for car owners. For electric vehicle users, Pioneer EV One provides specialized coverage, including financial protection for range anxiety, batteries, charging equipment, and loss of use.

鈥淔or riders especially, alertness, staying in听the proper lane, wearing proper gear, and discipline on the road can go a long way in preventing accidents and protecting themselves and everyone around them,鈥� said听Por听Requinto, Motorcycle Head of Pioneer Insurance.

As mobility continues to evolve, Pioneer underscores that safer journeys are shaped by everyday decisions, where small acts of consideration and shared responsibility help protect entire communities on the road.

Spotlight is 大象传媒鈥檚 sponsored section that allows advertisers to amplify their brand and connect with 大象传媒鈥檚 audience by publishing their stories on the 大象传媒 Web site. For more information, send an email to听online@bworldonline.com.

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Known for pioneering advanced vision correction procedures in the Philippines, Shinagawa is now redefining what it means to secure a 鈥渃learer future鈥� 鈥� not just through surgical precision, but through a broader, preventive approach to health.

Shinagawa鈥檚 reputation is built on its suite of vision correction procedures, each designed to address specific refractive conditions while maximizing safety, precision, and patient comfort. More than medical interventions, these procedures are life-changing solutions, enabling patients to achieve clarity.

Among its offerings is , a fully bladeless procedure that utilizes advanced laser systems such as the Ziemer Femto LDV 78 and Schwind Amaris 1050RS. This dual-laser technology allows for highly precise corneal reshaping, minimizing tissue disruption while optimizing visual outcomes.

Equally innovative is (Corneal Lenticule Extraction for Advanced Refractive Correction), a modern, flapless technique that represents the next generation of refractive surgery. Unlike traditional LASIK, CLEAR involves a single-step process in which a small lenticule is removed from the cornea through a minimally invasive incision. This approach reduces the risk of complications such as dry eye and enables faster healing, making it an increasingly preferred option for eligible patients.

For individuals who may not be ideal candidates for laser-based procedures, Implantable Contact Lens (ICL) offers an effective alternative. This technique involves inserting a specialized lens into the eye to correct nearsightedness, with or without astigmatism. Because it does not permanently alter the cornea, ICL provides both reversibility and high-definition visual correction, particularly for patients with higher prescriptions.

Shinagawa鈥檚 expertise also extends beyond refractive surgery into cataract care through Femto Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery (FLACS). Widely regarded as the gold standard in cataract treatment, FLACS enhances surgical precision by using laser technology to perform key steps of the procedure. This results in improved accuracy, reduced manual intervention.

Together, these core procedures reflect a comprehensive, patient-centric approach, ensuring that听each individual听receives the most suitable treatment based on their unique ocular profile and lifestyle needs.

Now, as it expands its services beyond these procedures, Shinagawa also recognizes that long-term wellness extends beyond eyesight. This has driven Shinagawa to launch the in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig last April 2023.

This expansion responds directly to a pressing healthcare challenge in the Philippines: high prevalence of preventable diseases such as cardiovascular conditions, cancer, and stroke. These illnesses often become life-threatening due to late diagnosis, underscoring the need for accessible and comprehensive screening services.

By introducing a Japanese-standard health checkup system, Shinagawa brings a new level of rigor and efficiency to preventive care. Patients听benefit听from a one-stop medical hub equipped with advanced diagnostic tools and in-house laboratory capabilities, enabling partial same-day lab results and faster clinical decision-making.

A defining feature of Shinagawa鈥檚 packages is its emphasis on early detection and prevention of health risks. Packages such as the 听provide听an extensive range of tests, from specialized cancer screenings to high-resolution imaging using CT and MRI scan machines, as well as endoscopy procedures.

What sets this approach apart is the practice of the double-reading method, where selected imaging results are reviewed independently by specialists from both Japan and the Philippines. This dual evaluation significantly reduces the likelihood of diagnostic errors, ensuring a higher degree of accuracy and reliability.

Beyond clinical innovation, Shinagawa places strong emphasis on the overall patient journey. Facilities such as the VIP Lounge are designed to provide a comfortable environment that contrasts with the often-stressful atmosphere of traditional medical settings.

By integrating elements of Filipino hospitality, Shinagawa enhances patient engagement and encourages a more proactive approach to healthcare.

Shinagawa鈥檚 evolution reflects a broader shift in modern healthcare: the tradition from reactive treatment to proactive prevention. Its core vision correction procedures continue to deliver life-changing results, restoring clarity and confidence to thousands of patients. At the same time, its expansion into preventive care ensures that this clarity extends beyond eyesight to encompass overall health and well-being.

In redefining its role from a surgical provider to a comprehensive healthcare partner, Shinagawa offers a compelling vision for the future 鈥� one where precision, innovation, and prevention work together to create better outcomes.

With this integrated approach, 鈥渢he future is clear鈥� becomes more than a tagline. It is one that empowers individuals to not only see better, but to live healthier and more informed lives.

Spotlight is 大象传媒鈥檚 sponsored section that allows advertisers to amplify their brand and connect with 大象传媒鈥檚 audience by publishing their stories on the 大象传媒 Web site. For more information, send an email to听online@bworldonline.com.

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In close coordination with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), and the ASEAN National Organizing Council, Globe worked proactively to help ensure that the country鈥檚 hosting of regional engagements was backed by reliable, high-quality connectivity. The initiative supported events in Metro Manila as well as in Cebu, Bohol, Iloilo, and Boracay.

Recognizing the importance of seamless communication in international gatherings, Globe carried out extensive preparations ahead of the events. The company conducted readiness checks across dozens of venues and worked alongside government partners to听anticipate听connectivity requirements and strengthen network capacity in advance.

During the events, Globe deployed dedicated teams on the ground to continuously听monitor听network performance and respond quickly to any issues. This allowed delegates, organizers, and participants to stay connected and focused on advancing regional cooperation.

Improved 5G coverage

To further support high-traffic venues such as hotels and function spaces, Globe rolled out targeted enhancements and improved 5G coverage in select locations. These efforts resulted in stronger, more consistent mobile signals and faster data speeds, helping ensure a seamless digital experience for all attendees.

The DICT commended Globe for its proactive contribution, recognizing the company鈥檚 role in strengthening connectivity support for ASEAN events.

鈥淕lobe stands with the government in enabling meaningful participation and collaboration during ASEAN engagements. By ensuring reliable connectivity, we aim to support the country鈥檚 role in fostering stronger regional partnerships,鈥� said Joel Agustin, Senior Vice-President for Service Planning and Engineering at Globe.

Through early preparation, close public-private collaboration, and sustained on-ground support, Globe contributed to the successful staging of ASEAN activities in the Philippines.

Globe continues to work alongside government and industry partners in strengthening the country鈥檚 digital infrastructure, supporting initiatives that promote national development and reinforce the Philippines鈥� position in the regional and global community.

For more information, visit听.

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From January to March, Pag-IBIG Fund鈥檚 net income grew by 11% or P1.700 billion to reach P16.772 billion, compared to the same period last year. Officials attributed the growth to strong collections and steady earnings from Pag-IBIG Fund鈥檚 housing loan, short-term loan, and investment portfolios. Higher investment returns also contributed to the income growth, with Pag-IBIG Fund鈥檚 income from investments reaching P3.033 billion, increasing by 51% year-on-year from P2.013 billion in the same period last year.

Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development Secretary Jose Ramon P. Aliling, who also chairs the 11-member Pag-IBIG Fund Board of Trustees, said Pag-IBIG Fund鈥檚 strong fiscal position enables it to serve as the primary source of financing for the Expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino, or Expanded 4PH Program of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., heeding the President鈥檚 call to make decent and affordable housing more accessible to Filipino workers.

鈥淭his performance shows that Pag-IBIG Fund remains strong, stable, and ready to support President Marcos鈥� directive to open more opportunities for Filipino families to own decent and affordable homes. As the key financing arm of the Expanded 4PH Program, Pag-IBIG Fund plays a vital role in turning the national housing agenda into real homes for our workers. We shall continue to manage our members鈥� funds prudently, so that more Filipino families may benefit from housing finance that is affordable, accessible, and sustainable,鈥� Mr. Aliling said.

Pag-IBIG Fund鈥檚 total assets also stood at P1.276 trillion as of March 2026, reflecting a 3% or P41.735-billion increase from P1.234 trillion recorded at yearend 2025. Pag-IBIG Fund Chief Executive Officer Marilene C. Acosta said the agency鈥檚 strong asset base and fiscal standing allow it to continue providing members with competitive savings returns and affordable home financing.

Ms. Acosta further stated that Pag-IBIG Fund鈥檚 performance directly benefits its members. Under its charter, Pag-IBIG Fund returns at least 70% of its annual net income to members in the form of dividends, which are credited to their savings every year.

鈥淧ag-IBIG Fund is owned by its members, the Filipino workers. That is why we remain committed to growing and protecting their savings while ensuring that they have access to affordable home financing,鈥� Ms. Acosta said. 鈥淥ur strong fiscal standing allows us to sustain our subsidized housing loan rates under the Expanded 4PH Program, including the 3% rate for qualified socialized housing borrowers. This is how we help make homeownership more affordable for more Filipino workers, while keeping Pag-IBIG Fund financially sound and sustainable for the long term,鈥� she added.

Spotlight is 大象传媒鈥檚 sponsored section that allows advertisers to amplify their brand and connect with 大象传媒鈥檚 audience by publishing their stories on the 大象传媒 Web site. For more information, send an email to听online@bworldonline.com.

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Mr. Domantay brings more than two decades of experience across television, digital media, entrepreneurship, and strategic communications. A director, writer, executive producer, and on-air talent during his years at ABS-CBN, he later served as Video Content Head for Yahoo! Southeast Asia before joining Voyager Innovations, where he helped shape digital content and innovation strategies during a pivotal period in the Philippine tech ecosystem.

Now, through the Digital Marketing Accelerator Program, Mr. Domantay returns to mentor a new generation of startup founders, business leaders, marketing professionals, and entrepreneurial minds seeking to strengthen their digital capabilities in a rapidly evolving market.

The four-module learning series combines strategic frameworks, practical tools, and real-world case studies designed to help participants validate听ideas, understand audiences, build stronger brands, and drive measurable business growth.

The program covers:

Module I听鈥斕齋ocial Media & Digital Marketing 101

Foundational principles, social listening, keyword mining, sentiment analysis, and case study exploration

June听6, 2026

Module II听鈥斕鼶igital Market听Validation

Audience persona development, online survey design, market insights, and A/B testing strategies

June听13, 2026听

Module III听鈥斕鼼o听To听Market

Digital storytelling, content strategy frameworks, organic and paid media, and community building

June听20, 2026

Module IV听鈥斕鼼rowth听Hacking

Public relations, founder-led marketing, AI-powered tools, and guerrilla tactics for visibility

June 27, 2026

Sessions will run every Saturday in June 2026, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Outside his work in academia, Mr. Domantay is also the founder of Domantay Consulting, where he advises brands, executives, entrepreneurs, and institutions on social media strategy, digital storytelling, public relations, and online reputation management. His work has earned industry recognition, including the Yahoo! Editorial Awards for his coverage of the Quirino Grandstand hostage crisis and the grand prize at the Philippine Foundation for Vaccination Journalism Awards for his documentary work.

For Mr. Domantay, the return is also something of a homecoming. In 2016, he helped establish Ateneo鈥檚 Digital Marketing and Social Media Management Program under its Business Resource Center, contributing to the early development of structured digital marketing education within the university ecosystem.

Registration is now open through Ateneo Blue Nest channels. For inquiries and full program details, interested participants may email aipo@ateneo.edu.

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Bostik Philippines, a global leader in adhesive technologies, is encouraging Filipinos to take advantage of the sunny weather to reinforce their homes using its trusted 鈥淩epair Season鈥� trio: Powermix, Super Vulcaseal, and Ultrafino Skimcoat.

鈥淪ummer is the best time to check for wear and tear in our homes to make sure we鈥檙e safe and dry when the wet season comes. By doing repairs now, homeowners can ensure better adhesion and faster curing times for their construction materials,鈥� said Fides Kasman, director of Market Development at Bostik Philippines.

鈥淲hether you are plugging holes on your roof or smoothing out your walls, Bostik provides professional-grade solutions that are easy enough for any DIY project,鈥� Kasman said.

To help homeowners get started, Bostik highlights three essential products for a worry-free summer renovation:

Reliable waterproofing with Powermix: Before the typhoons return, summer is the ideal time to waterproof your home. Bostik Powermix is the go-to flexible, fiber-reinforced waterproofing membrane recommended for most residential applications, such as roof decks, balconies, and bathrooms. Its advanced formula fixes hairline cracks and provides a seamless barrier against water intrusion. Because it requires a dry surface for initial application, the summer weather ensures that Powermix cures perfectly, creating a long-lasting shield for your home.

Flawless walls with Ultrafino Skimcoat Bulilit Pack: If you鈥檙e planning to give your home a fresh coat of paint, make sure to even out the surface first. Bostik Ultrafino Skimcoat does the job with a premium, ultra-smooth layer that levels and refines concrete and plaster surfaces, making your paint job hitch free. It comes in a Bulilit Pack that is perfect for small-scale repairs and touch-ups around the house.

Quick Fixes with Super Vulcaseal: For those pesky leaks in the gutter or roof, Super Vulcaseal remains the undisputed king of sealants. The brand remains to be the most trusted name in the Philippines for sealing leaks and cracks in roofing, downspouts, and plumbing. Super Vulcaseal works best on moisture-free surfaces, as it allows the sealant to bond at maximum strength.

As homeowners gear up for repairs this season, Bostik Philippines again reminds the public to be vigilant against counterfeit goods.

鈥淪uccessful repairs depend on authentic, quality materials. We urge everyone to watch out for fake sealants and construction materials mimicking our brand, as they are not reliable and may lead to back-jobs or further damage,鈥� warned Kasman.

To ensure you are using genuine Bostik products,听purchase听only from authorized hardware stores and official retailers. If you suspect a product is counterfeit, you may send a report via (02) 7900-5656 or听bostiksmartadhesives@bostik.com.

For more information on Bostik鈥檚 repair solutions, visit听.

Spotlight is 大象传媒鈥檚 sponsored section that allows advertisers to amplify their brand and connect with 大象传媒鈥檚 audience by publishing their stories on the 大象传媒 Web site. For more information, send an email to听online@bworldonline.com.

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DBP President and CEO Michael O. de Jesus said the Bank was hailed as the top performing government-owned and -controlled corporation (GOCC) during the recent Governance Commission for GOCCs (GCG) Awards and the 鈥淭op Community-Centric Company鈥� during the Asia Corporate Excellence and Sustainability (ACES) Awards.

鈥淚t is truly humbling for DBP to be recognized for its corporate governance practices and sustainability efforts anchored with the ideals of the Marcos Administration and geared towards advancing the welfare of the Filipino people,鈥� de Jesus said.

DBP is the ninth largest bank in the country with total assets of P1.041 trillion, primarily providing funding assistance to projects in four economic sectors 鈥� infrastructure and logistics; micro, small and medium enterprises; social services and community services; and the environment.

GCG AWARD

De Jesus said DBP was the top ranked GOCC in the GCG 2024 Corporate Governance Scorecard (CGS) which evaluates GOCCs based on international governance standards, obtaining a final CGS score of 104.17%, a sharp rise from the 102.67% it garnered from the previous CGS.

GCG is the primary central policy-making and regulatory body of GOCCs that evaluates corporate governance standards and practices. Its CGS serves as an instrument to assess the corporate governance initiatives and practices of GOCCs using a methodology benchmarked against the Corporate Governance principles of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and the ASEAN Corporate Governance Scorecard.

ACES AWARD

Organized by Malaysian-based MORS Group, the ACES Awards recognized industry leaders in Asia that have successfully integrated Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into their operations.

De Jesus noted that this is the third consecutive win of DBP in the ACES awards, this time under the Corporate Sustainability category for its reforestation program with the Mindanao State University-Buug campus and its participation in the Department of Agriculture鈥檚 Agri-Puhunan at Pantawid Program.

鈥淭hese accolades are a testament to DBP鈥檚 tireless pursuit of exemplary public service, ably fulfilling its developmental mandate and supporting the National Government鈥檚 thrust of promoting progress today and in the years ahead,鈥� de Jesus said.

Spotlight is 大象传媒鈥檚 sponsored section that allows advertisers to amplify their brand and connect with 大象传媒鈥檚 audience by publishing their stories on the 大象传媒 Web site. For more information, send an email to听online@bworldonline.com.

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Mallgoers and fans alike can immerse themselves in a series of interactive and visually stunning installations inspired by beloved Star Wars characters and stories. Guests can step into the story through special photo spots, including dynamic, character-inspired backdrops designed for unforgettable snapshots.

Adding to the excitement, fans can live out their own galactic adventures with themed photo opportunities, such as imagining themselves riding a speeder bike or standing alongside a towering AT-ST. These setups offer a special way to experience the thrill of Star Wars up close.

Collectors and enthusiasts can also shop limited-edition merchandise and fan-favorite items at participating retailers, including Disney Store by SM, Filbars, Geek PH, Miniso, The SM Store, and Toy Kingdom making it the perfect opportunity to bring home Star Wars-themed collectibles.

Star Wars fan cosplayers will also grace the attraction on May 16-17 and May 23-24 for fan gatherings and a lightsaber choreography tutorial to make weekends more special.

Meanwhile, the event builds anticipation for the upcoming theatrical release of Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu, opening exclusively in cinemas on May 20, 2026. The film follows legendary Mandalorian bounty hunter Din Djarin and his young apprentice Grogu as they embark on their most thrilling mission yet. Set in a galaxy where the evil Empire has fallen, and Imperial warlords remain scattered, the story unfolds as the New Republic works to protect everything the Rebellion fought for.

Directed by Jon Favreau and starring Pedro Pascal and Sigourney Weaver, the film is produced by industry veterans Jon Favreau, Kathleen Kennedy, Dave Filoni, and Ian Bryce, with a score by Ludwig G枚ransson.

Don鈥檛 miss Star Wars Most Wanted at your most loved mall, SM North EDSA, part of SM Fandom鈥檚 exciting lineup of activities this year. Be part of an epic celebration where every shared moment lets you Gala To The Max with a maxed-out experience at SM Supermalls.

Spotlight is 大象传媒鈥檚 sponsored section that allows advertisers to amplify their brand and connect with 大象传媒鈥檚 audience by publishing their stories on the 大象传媒 Web site. For more information, send an email to听online@bworldonline.com.

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The new unit will cover key sectors including commercial, retail, leasing, industrial, logistics, land development, and warehousing, reflecting increasing demand for technical expertise as transactions become more complex.

The firm is headquartered in Makati City, positioning it within the country鈥檚 primary financial hub and close to high-value office and investment-grade assets.

According to the company, the move shifts its model from a generalist brokerage approach to a more focused structure designed to support capital deployment, site selection, and operational requirements across industries.

Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Ronny Padernal said the firm aims to address gaps in advisory, particularly for clients navigating zoning, compliance, and infrastructure considerations tied to industrial and听logistics听developments.

鈥淥ur role is to translate technical requirements into workable solutions that allow businesses to operate and scale effectively,鈥� he said.

The launch also strengthens RE/MAX Philippines鈥� positioning for cross-border transactions,听leveraging听the global RE/MAX network, which听operates听in more than 110 countries and territories.

Industry observers note that as the Philippine market matures, demand is rising for brokerage services that go beyond transactions to include end-to-end advisory, particularly for institutional investors entering sectors such as logistics, warehousing, and large-scale land development.

Spotlight is 大象传媒鈥檚 sponsored section that allows advertisers to amplify their brand and connect with 大象传媒鈥檚 audience by publishing their stories on the 大象传媒 Web site. For more information, send an email to听online@bworldonline.com.

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For many diners, Hainanese Chicken Rice is often the first introduction to Singaporean cuisine. While undeniably iconic, the country鈥檚 culinary identity goes far beyond a single dish, shaped by generations of Chinese, Malay, and Indian influences.

Tiong Bahru Singapore Flavours introduces Filipino diners to flavors that go beyond the familiar. While its Hainanese Chicken Rice remains a well-loved staple on the menu, the restaurant also highlights specialties that reflect the variety of Singapore鈥檚 culinary heritage. At Tiong Bahru Singapore Flavours, 鈥淭aste Singapore, One Dish at a Time鈥� comes to life through both longtime favorites and underrated gems.

Among the restaurant鈥檚 menu standouts is the Laksa, a rich and aromatic noodle soup served in a creamy coconut-based broth infused with aromatic spices and savory seafood notes. Topped with prawns and fish cake, every spoonful delivers a satisfying balance of creaminess and spice that has made it a staple in Singapore鈥檚 hawker culture.

For those looking for something hearty, the Bak Kut Teh is a comforting favorite rooted in tradition. Simmered with herbs and spices, the pork rib soup features a peppery broth that brings warmth to every spoonful, making it a meal enjoyed across generations.

Tiong Bahru Singapore Flavours also showcases Singapore鈥檚 multicultural influences through its Fish Curry. Made with fresh fish simmered in a fragrant, spiced curry sauce, the curry combines savory and mildly tangy notes inspired by the country鈥檚 diverse food traditions.

Completing the restaurant鈥檚 Singaporean spread are its classic desserts, providing a sweet finish to every meal. The Chendol combines shaved ice, coconut milk, pandan jelly, and sweet ingredients into a light and satisfying treat, while the colorful Ice Kachang delivers a nostalgic mix of textures and flavors topped with finely shaved ice and syrup. Both desserts are available at selected branches, including Robinsons Antipolo, Greenhills San Juan, Trinoma Quezon City, U.P. Town Center Katipunan, Landmark by the Bay, and Leviste Makati.

1 of 2

Through carefully curated recipes and premium ingredients inspired by the country鈥檚 rich dining traditions, the food chain reflects the stories and traditions behind every meal. In every plate served, Tiong Bahru Singapore听Flavours听offers customers a meaningful glimpse into the dining experiences that shape Singaporean cuisine.

As more Filipinos continue to explore more international flavors, Tiong Bahru Singapore Flavours remains committed to bringing Singaporean cuisine closer to local communities through dishes that reflect the warmth, tradition, and richness of the country鈥檚 beloved food culture.

Spotlight is 大象传媒鈥檚 sponsored section that allows advertisers to amplify their brand and connect with 大象传媒鈥檚 audience by publishing their stories on the 大象传媒 Web site. For more information, send an email to听online@bworldonline.com.

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Through Bingo Bonanza, the company became part of everyday Filipino life, creating community spaces where people gathered to play, connect, and unwind.

When the pandemic hit, like many businesses,听DigiPlus听faced a defining inflection point:听evolve听its decades-old model or risk losing relevance in a rapidly shifting entertainment landscape.

The turning point was听BingoPlus.

Launched in January 2022, BingoPlus became the Philippines鈥� first interactive livestreaming digital gaming platform. What began as a high-stakes pivot has since evolved into an integrated entertainment ecosystem spanning online and offline channels, engaging a wide range of Filipino entertainment fans nationwide.

Scaling a fast-growing, player-favorite platform

BingoPlus, as the company鈥檚 flagship platform, reflects听DigiPlus鈥� broader strategy of combining technology, seamless user experience, and culturally resonant content to serve a growing Filipino audience. By translating familiar gameplay into modern interactive formats, the company听retained听its legacy base while engaging new, mobile-first audiences.

Innovation, strategic focus, and disciplined execution led to BingoPlus鈥� next phases of growth.

By 2023,听BingoPlus听had听established听itself as a full-fledged digital entertainment platform, offering over 1,000 e-games across categories including bingo, card games, arcade, and slots.

DigiPlus听invested in and expanded proprietary capabilities, including world-class livestreaming studios and in-house game development, enabling continuous innovation and creation of original, localized content.

At the core of the platform is Bingo Mega, its flagship livestreamed bingo experience, complemented by a catalogue of 鈥淧erya鈥� games such as Color Game, showcasing digital adaptations of Filipino carnival staples.

In 2024, Pinoy Drop Ball听emerged听as a breakout hit and became one of the platform鈥檚 most-played titles. Launched as the Philippines鈥� first-ever livestreamed drop ball game, it further expanded听BingoPlus鈥� growing suite of听Perya听games. The launch demonstrated听DigiPlus鈥� strong investment in research and development to continuously deliver fresh, localized entertainment experiences for Filipino players year after year.

By 2025,听BingoPlus听had scaled into a comprehensive platform serving tens of millions of users, complemented by over 130 physical sites nationwide that continue to offer traditional bingo experiences while also serving as physical payments and customer support touchpoints for digital users.

The platform has since expanded into new verticals such as casual games and short-form video content, while sustaining strong performance from its homegrown livestreaming games.

Responsible Gaming at the core of growth

As the brand continued to scale,听BingoPlus听also deepened its investment in Responsible Gaming and player protection initiatives.

Over the years, it strengthened its pioneering Responsible Gaming platform features, including Time Control Settings and Spend & Loss Limits, empowering users to better manage and monitor their gaming activity.

Together with DigiPlus and DigiPlus Foundation (then BingoPlus Foundation), BingoPlus also championed the 鈥淧usta de Peligro鈥� educational campaign to promote safer and more mindful gaming to Filipino audiences through relatable storytelling, expert discussions, and community-led initiatives.

Most recently in 2025, BingoPlus, as part of DigiPlus group, further reinforced player protection through the launch of an industry-first surety bond program providing up to Php1 million coverage per verified player wallet, and the expansion of secure player payment touchpoints via partnerships with BSP-accredited providers.

Today, BingoPlus stands as a leading digital platform and a trusted household entertainment brand in the Philippines.

Evolving with a vision of ‘Entertainment for Good’

As BingoPlus celebrates its fourth year, it stands as a true testament to DigiPlus鈥� transformation from a traditional operator into a digital-first entertainment company.

That very evolution finds its grandest expression in the annual BingoPlus Night. Now in its fourth year, the gala serves as the flagship celebration of a brand that has successfully ushered traditional bingo into the digital era and powered DigiPlus’ rise to unprecedented heights in recent years.

This year’s edition, happening on May 19, promises an even grander revelry that brings together the country’s brightest celebrities and artists. Carrying the theme 鈥淪tep into the Next PLUS,鈥� the event marks another milestone moment for BingoPlus as DigiPlus continues to expand its digital entertainment ecosystem.

“The BingoPlus transformation story was a leap of faith, but it was always driven by our strong commitment to our customers,” said DigiPlus Chairman Eusebio H. Tanco. 鈥淥ver the past four years, BingoPlus has grown into a platform deeply rooted in Filipino culture, with a mission to bring traditional Pinoy entertainment into the modern age. We look forward to the forthcoming BingoPlus Night as another celebration of that journey and of the people who continue to shape the brand into what it is today.鈥�

The May 19 festivities can be streamed live via the official BingoPlus website, the BingoPlus app, and its official social media platforms on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Special television broadcasts are also slated to air on GTV on May 22 at 8 p.m., and on GMA on May 23 at 10 a.m.

BingoPlus鈥� evolution from neighborhood bingo halls to a powerhouse digital entertainment platform reflects DigiPlus鈥� continuing commitment to champion Filipino culture and advance its vision of transforming the world of entertainment for good.

Spotlight is 大象传媒鈥檚 sponsored section that allows advertisers to amplify their brand and connect with 大象传媒鈥檚 audience by publishing their stories on the 大象传媒 Web site. For more information, send an email to听online@bworldonline.com.

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Here is a thought experiment every service buyer should be running in 2026. Your BPO partner in the Philippines deploys agentic AI across its tier-1 support workflows. Handle time drops 60%. Resolution rates climb to 92%. The same team that once processed 3,000 contacts a day now manages 9,000 鈥� with better outcomes, lower error rates, and higher CSAT scores. The AI is working. Intelligence Arbitrage is real.

Now look at your invoice. You are still paying by the hour.

This is the Efficiency Paradox of the 2026/27 BPO market 鈥� and it is the most structurally corrosive problem in the Philippine call center industry.听Hourly billing, in an era of agentic AI, is a tax on innovation.听Every efficiency听gain听your BPO partner delivers through AI investment听costs them听revenue under a time-based model. The faster they solve your problems, the less they earn. The incentive architecture is not just misaligned 鈥� it is inverted.

Why Is Hourly Billing a 鈥淭ax on Innovation鈥� in the Age of Agentic AI?

Hourly billing is a tax on innovation because it prices labor, not outcomes 鈥� and by 2027, labor will no longer be the primary input in high-performing front- and back-office operations. Agentic AI will be. When a Filipino AI Pilot manages a fleet of 5鈥�10 autonomous agents simultaneously, the economic unit of value is not an hour of work. It is a resolved interaction, a prevented churn event, a verified compliance decision, an upsold subscription. Pricing the hour when AI compresses hours to minutes creates what practitioners now call the Dead-End Billing Street: a contractual structure where neither party can capture the full value of AI investment.

The mathematics听are听unforgiving. A BPO that invests in agentic infrastructure 鈥� AI platforms, prompt engineering talent, knowledge base curation, governance architecture 鈥� and then bills听its clients at the same hourly rate as a manual operation is destroying its own ROI. The more it invests in AI, the thinner its margins get under a time-based model. The rational response, if you are trapped in hourly billing, is to invest less in AI. And that is precisely what hourly contracts are inadvertently incentivizing across the Philippine BPO sector right now.

The market is already correcting. Productivity per agent is expected to increase 2鈥�4x from AI augmentation, 鈥渇undamentally changing pricing models from per-full-time-equivalent to per-outcome, per-resolution, per-ticket鈥� (global BPO industry analysis, January 2026). Leading agentic AI platforms have launched per-conversation pricing models in the range of $0.99鈥�$2.00 per fully resolved interaction 鈥� explicitly framed as a replacement for the $30+ cost of a human-handled contact in Western markets. The precedent is set. The question for Philippine call center buyers in 2026 is not whether to move to Outcome-Based Pricing. It is how quickly they can structure the transition without destabilizing existing operations.

According to John Maczynski, CEO of听l and the former Global EVP of the world鈥檚 largest contact center, 鈥�The era of 鈥榖utts in seats鈥� pricing is over. What a client is听purchasing听from a Philippine operation in 2026 is not an hour of labor 鈥� it is operational hardening. The ability to resolve,听retain, and recover at a speed and accuracy that no domestic team can match. Pricing that听诲辞别蝉苍鈥檛听reflect that value听颈蝉苍鈥檛听just unfair to the BPO.听滨迟鈥檚 strategically dangerous for the client, because it removes every incentive for the partner to invest in the AI infrastructure the client needs.鈥�

What Is the Fairness Argument for Outcome-Based Pricing in Philippine Call Centers?

The fairness argument is simple and structurally sound: as AI compresses time, the value of outcomes expands. A customer retention call that once took 18 minutes and cost $4.20 at $14/hour now takes 4 minutes with AI assistance 鈥� but the value of retaining that customer has not changed. It may have increased, because the resolution was faster, the agent had richer context, and the follow-up was automated. If the BPO bills 4 minutes instead of 18, it captures 22% of the value it previously earned for delivering superior results. That is not a sustainable partnership model. It is a structural guarantee of under-investment.

Outcome-Based Pricing corrects this by anchoring the billing unit to the value created 鈥� the resolved interaction, the retained subscriber, the processed claim, the verified identity 鈥� rather than the time consumed. A higher per-outcome rate is not a price increase. It is a recalibration that makes innovation financially rational for both parties. When the BPO earns more per successful resolution, it has every incentive to invest in the AI infrastructure that increases resolution rates. When the client pays per outcome rather than per hour, they pay nothing for failed attempts, idle capacity, or AI transitions 鈥� only for delivered value.

, CSO of PITON-Global and a 25-year veteran of Philippine BPO operations, puts it plainly: 鈥�The Philippines is not winning global contracts in 2026 because it has the cheapest labor. It is winning because it has developed something no algorithm can replicate at scale: the Empathy Moat. Filipino specialists bring a cultural warmth, a patience under pressure, and an emotional intelligence 鈥� what we call Malasakit听鈥� that transforms high-stakes customer interactions. The AI handles the听velocity. The Filipino agent handles the truth. That combination commands a premium outcome rate. And it should.鈥�

How Does the Transition from Hourly Billing to Outcome-Based Pricing Actually Work?

Transitioning from hourly to outcome-based pricing without operational disruption requires a phased approach 鈥� what PITON-Global鈥檚听advisory framework calls the Crawl, Walk, Run roadmap. Each phase has distinct financial structures, measurement requirements, and risk profiles. No enterprise should attempt to compress all three into a single contract cycle.

The BPOs that begin Phase 1 in 2026 reach full Value-Share by 2028. The ones that wait until 2027 arrive a year behind in a market where early movers are already capturing the premium contracts that outcome-based models unlock.听The window is open. The competitive cost of inaction is compounding monthly.

Old Model vs. New Model: The Definitive Comparison

The Philippines as the Global Intelligence Arbitrage Hub

The BPO industry in the Philippines is not transitioning to Outcome-Based Pricing because it is fashionable. It is transitioning because the alternative 鈥� maintaining a billing architecture designed for 2014 while deploying technology built for 2026 鈥� is a structural contradiction that eventually breaks one of the parties.

The buyers who听remain听on hourly contracts while their competitors move to outcome pricing are not being conservative. They are choosing to fund the slowest possible version of the operation available to them, at a time when the gap between outcome-aligned and hour-aligned outsourcing partnerships is听widening by听the quarter. Gartner projects that 40% of enterprise applications will include task-specific AI agents by the end of 2026. Every one of those agents needs a governance architecture, a human oversight layer, and an incentive model that rewards results. Hourly billing provides none of these.

The choice is not between old pricing and new pricing.听It is between the outcome-velocity of 2027 and the hourly inertia of 2024. In 2026, that choice has a cost.

听is direct about what this means in practice: 鈥�Every client who stayed on hourly billing while we deployed agentic AI was essentially asking their BPO partner to take the financial hit for their modernization. That is not a partnership. Outcome-Based Pricing is how we build a model where both parties win when the AI works 鈥� and both parties have the incentive to make it work better every quarter. That is what Incentive Alignment looks like in practice.鈥�

That incentive shift is not cosmetic. It is architectural. Under hourly billing, a BPO鈥檚 operational interest is to preserve headcount and process time. Under Outcome-Based Pricing, its operational interest is to maximize resolution velocity, minimize failure rates, and continuously improve the AI governance layer that makes outcomes possible. The pricing model does not just change how you pay 鈥� it changes what your partner optimizes for, every single day.

听frames the bigger picture: 鈥�The Philippines wins on outcomes because our agents are not just executing tasks 鈥� they are governing AI systems, managing emotional escalations, and building the kind of brand trust that no algorithm will automate in our lifetimes. Price that by the hour, and you are telling the market you听don鈥檛听understand what听you鈥檙e听buying. Price it by the outcome, and you are beginning to understand what Intelligence Arbitrage听actually means.鈥�

REALITY CHECK: WHO IS 鈥� AND ISN鈥橳 鈥� READY FOR OUTCOME-BASED PRICING IN 2026听

The Outcome-Based Pricing model described in this article is not a universal prescription. It is the logical endpoint for organizations that have already crossed the agentic AI production threshold 鈥� and that threshold has a non-negotiable prerequisite: data.听

In practice, effective agentic AI deployment requires years of structured historical data 鈥� call recordings, resolved interaction logs, mapped customer workflows, labelled exception cases 鈥� to train, ground, and continuously improve the machine learning models that make autonomous resolution possible. Research from Bain & Company confirms that the biggest gap between AI pilot and production success is not model capability but the underlying data infrastructure.听Organisations听without that foundation do not get a slower AI 鈥� they get an unreliable one.

This means that, in 2026, Outcome-Based Pricing and the agentic AI workflows that justify it are largely the domain of听large multinationals and globally operating enterprises 鈥� organizations with billions of data points accumulated across years of customer interactions, the in-house data science teams to structure and sanitize that data, and the IT infrastructure to integrate agentic systems into live production workflows.

For the majority of small and mid-sized enterprises (SMEs), the honest assessment is different. Without the historical datasets required to train effective domain-specific AI models, most SMEs are still 2鈥�5 years from viable agentic AI deployment. For these organizations, the traditional outsourcing model 鈥� skilled Filipino specialists, hourly or task-based billing, proven quality frameworks 鈥� remains not just relevant but optimal. The Philippine call center industry serves both worlds: the AI-native enterprise seeking outcome-velocity, and the growth-stage SME that needs operational excellence delivered the conventional way, reliably and without the risk of premature automation.

The pricing model follows the data maturity, not the other way around.听Organizations considering the transition to Outcome-Based Pricing should begin with an honest audit of their data infrastructure 鈥� not their ambition.

Spotlight is 大象传媒鈥檚 sponsored section that allows advertisers to amplify their brand and connect with 大象传媒鈥檚 audience by publishing their stories on the 大象传媒 Web site. For more information, send an email to听online@bworldonline.com.

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Developed through a joint venture between SM Residences and Federal Land, Inc., The Estate Makati begins with a simple but defining idea: homes should evolve with the people who live in them.

Located along Apartment Ridge, the development sits right at the heart of Makati鈥檚 commercial core while听maintaining听a quieter, more exclusive character, reflecting what Foster + Partners鈥� project lead and partner Perry Ip describes as 鈥渁 dialogue between two worlds.鈥�

鈥湵醭兮�檚 a rare site,鈥� Ip said. 鈥淵ou move from a very urban condition to something quieter within a short distance. That contrast shaped the design from the beginning.鈥�

For Ip, that duality became more than a site condition. It became a way of thinking about how people experience home and balancing access to the city with a sense of retreat.

鈥淎t Foster + Partners, all the projects we design are a reflection of how people live,鈥� Ip said. 鈥淚t needs to be built around you. It shouldn鈥檛 be something generic.鈥�

That thinking carries through the building鈥檚 core principle of full adaptability, where homes are designed as spaces that can change over time.

This idea takes shape through its pioneering double-slab system, where听there鈥檚听a one-meter space between floors to conceal plumbing and electrical systems, allowing greater freedom for homeowners to reconfigure their space over time, whether adjusting layouts, expanding rooms, or adapting the home to new routines.

A column-free layout further supports this, enabling each home to function as a blank canvas rather than a fixed plan.

鈥淭he essence of the project is how much flexibility it gives residents to shape their space,鈥� Ip said. 鈥湵醭兮�檚 all about possibility.鈥�

The experience of the home extends beyond its听interiors. In a tropical setting, comfort becomes a central part of the design, shaping how light, air, and views are experienced throughout the day.

Rather than treating the fa莽ade as a purely visual element, it is designed around how people will use the space. Deep horizontal fins provide shading, while operable windows allow controlled ventilation.

鈥淲e didn鈥檛 want the view to just be something you look at,鈥� Ip said. 鈥淲e wanted to bring people closer to it.鈥�

This thinking is expressed through bay windows that can be used as everyday living spaces, whether for reading, working, or simply pausing above the city.

The building鈥檚 cruciform layout deepens this connection. Each residence is positioned as a corner unit, maximizing views, natural light, and airflow. In a dense urban environment, this creates a stronger sense of openness and connection to the surroundings.

鈥淯rban living is vibrant, but people also want a retreat,鈥� Ip said.

Movement through the building is approached as a transition from city to home.

A landscaped arrival sequence introduces this shift, creating a quieter, more private environment from the moment residents enter. The ground level is organized as a series of spaces rather than a single lobby, reinforcing a more residential, less institutional feel.

With 188 units, the development is intentionally low in density, supporting privacy and a more considered living experience. Private lift access further enhances this sense of exclusivity.

Environmental performance is integrated into the design in practical ways. The fa莽ade reduces heat gain and reliance on mechanical cooling, while rainwater collection and electric vehicle infrastructure support more efficient daily living.

These decisions reflect a broader approach where sustainability is embedded into how the building works, rather than treated as a separate feature.

What holds all of these together is a belief in continuity. Materials are selected for durability, and systems are designed to accommodate change.

鈥淲e believe these will prevent the building from becoming obsolete,鈥� Ip said. 鈥淚nstead, it will evolve with its residents and remain relevant for generations.鈥� The Estate Makati takes a timeless approach, allowing homes to adapt alongside the lives unfolding within them.

Spotlight is 大象传媒鈥檚 sponsored section that allows advertisers to amplify their brand and connect with 大象传媒鈥檚 audience by publishing their stories on the 大象传媒 Web site. For more information, send an email to听online@bworldonline.com.

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Spotlight is 大象传媒鈥檚 sponsored section that allows advertisers to amplify their brand and connect with 大象传媒鈥檚 audience by publishing their stories on the 大象传媒 Web site. For more information, send an email to听online@bworldonline.com.

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June 9, 2026

The Regular Meeting of the Stockholders of San Miguel Corporation will be held on Tuesday, June 9,听2026听at听2:00 P.M.

The Stockholders鈥� Meeting will be conducted via remote communication and livestreamed at the Company鈥檚 website. Stockholders can attend the meeting by remote communication.

The Agenda for the Meeting is as follows.

1. Certification of Notice and Quorum听
2. Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Stockholders’ Meeting held on June 10, 2025 听
3. Presentation of the Annual Report听
4. Ratification of Acts and Proceedings of the Board of Directors and Corporate Officers听
5. Approval of Directors鈥� Fees for 2025听
6. Appointment of External Auditors听
7. Election of the Board of Directors听
8. Other Matters听
9. Adjournment

Stockholders who would like to attend the online meeting should access the 2026 SMC AGSM Website at to obtain the following, namely:

(a) the minutes of the 2025 Regular Stockholders鈥� Meeting;

(b) the resolutions of the Board of Directors beginning January 1, 2026 which will be available online beginning May 15, 2026;

(c) the ballots and proxies to attend the meeting; and

(d) the link to view the livestream of the meeting which will be available on the day of the meeting.

During the meeting, the Company shall entertain questions and comments from the stockholders after the presentation of the Annual Report. Questions and comments must be submitted either in advance or during the meeting by email to stockholders@sanmiguel.com.ph. Questions which were not answered during the meeting shall be forwarded to the Office of the Corporate Secretary for the appropriate response.

Ballots and proxies can be submitted via email at stockholders@sanmiguel.com.ph which submission shall be duly acknowledged and validated by the SMC Stock Transfer Service Corporation. For individual stockholders, the submissions must be accompanied by a copy of a government issued ID as proof of identification. For corporations, the submission must be accompanied by a certification from its Corporate Secretary stating the corporate officer鈥檚 authority to represent and sign on behalf of the corporation. Kindly submit to the SMC Stock Transfer Service Corporation the original signed and notarized documents within a reasonable time after the resumption of regular business operations.

The deadline for submission of ballots and proxies is on听May 26, 2026. Validation of ballots and proxies will be on June 2, 2026,听at 10:00听a.m. at the SMC Stock Transfer Service Corporation Office, 2^nd Floor, SMC Head Office Complex, No. 40 San Miguel Ave., Mandaluyong City, Philippines.

听

(Originally signed)听

Virgilio S. Jacinto听

Corporate Secretary

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In a massive show of force for the MSME sector, the three-day convention features over 150 participating brands, offering staple goods at special rates for TNAP members.

With more brands present, Aling Puring members get direct access to a diverse range of food, hygiene, and other household items at affordable prices all gathered under one roof. This provides sari-sari store owners timely support as they confront rising prices of basic goods.

鈥淭his year, the Aling Puring convention is the best opportunity to show our support to MSMEs in the biggest way possible. By bringing in over 150 partners, we鈥檒l be able to provide them the necessary inventory of both staple and emerging brands so that tuloy-tuloy ang negosyo at kita,鈥� said Vincent Co, Puregold President.

The 2026 Convention was designed to give participants a one-stop shop for business growth. Early attendees are already taking advantage of the event鈥檚 signature 鈥�panalo鈥� deals, including:

• Exclusive P88 Bundle Packs featuring household essentials
• 25-kilo sacks of rice for a special price of only P999
• Enhanced cashback rewards for transactions made via the P-wallet, allowing entrepreneurs to stretch their capital further

Beyond the deals, the convention also offers expert-led business seminars, networking sessions, and live performances from top OPM artists.

鈥淎t Puregold, we are not just selling products, we are partners of the Filipino entrepreneur. This convention is a testament to our promise that as long as there is an Aling Puring standing strong, Puregold will be there to provide them the best price, quality products and reliable, affordable supply,” said Co.

The 2026 Sari-Sari Store Convention runs until May 16 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

Spotlight is 大象传媒鈥檚 sponsored section that allows advertisers to amplify their brand and connect with 大象传媒鈥檚 audience by publishing their stories on the 大象传媒 Web site. For more information, send an email to听online@bworldonline.com.

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Asia United Bank (AUB), one of the country鈥檚 premier banking institutions, is powering the Luvit card as the Bank Identification Number sponsor. With just one valid ID, applicants can be approved in seconds, empowering them to make flexible payments for their everyday transactions, from online shopping to travel bookings, and everything in between.

luvit cardholders utilize Mastercard鈥檚 wide network of merchants, both locally and globally, enabling a seamless payment experience for users who previously may not have had access to traditional credit products. Given the ease and speed of application, the Luvit card supports those accessing formal credit for the first time, including younger consumers, helping them engage more confidently in both digital and physical commerce.听 听

鈥淭hanks to our robust digital partnerships such as with Finvolution, AUB is able to sustain its competitive advantage in this rapidly evolving digital landscape. We will remain relentless in our efforts to reach out to the unbanked and underserved, and in helping every Filipino achieve economic mobility,鈥� said AUB President Manuel A. Gomez.

“The luvit card makes Filipino aspirations a reality: a reliable payment tool for their daily lives. This encourages fiscal discipline and confidence, leading to financial empowerment and enhanced quality of life.听听We are excited about the endless possibilities that lie ahead with our AUB partnership,鈥� said Francisco D.C. Mauricio, president and CEO of WeFund Lending Corporation.

With听a strong foundation听in place, the partnership is expected to drive future innovations in providing Filipinos the听assistance听they need, positively transforming their way of life and leading them to a solid financial future.

Download听luvit听now available at the听听and听.

To learn more about听luvit, visit:听.

About听luvit

luvit听is designed to provide Filipinos with fast, flexible, and accessible credit through a digital-first platform, enhanced with a physical card. It enables users to make secure transactions, manage their spending, and access financial support with ease. By combining speed, simplicity, and convenience,听luvit听empowers individuals to meet daily financial needs.

About Asia United Bank

Asia United Bank (AUB) is a publicly listed universal bank in the Philippines recognized for its strong digital banking capabilities and customer-focused services. Established in 1997, AUB has grown into one of the country鈥檚 leading banks, offering a wide range of financial products and services to retail, corporate, and institutional clients. Known for its commitment to innovation, AUB continues to play a key role in advancing the Philippine banking industry.

Spotlight is 大象传媒鈥檚 sponsored section that allows advertisers to amplify their brand and connect with 大象传媒鈥檚 audience by publishing their stories on the 大象传媒 Web site. For more information, send an email to听online@bworldonline.com.

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June 9, 2026

The Regular Meeting of the Stockholders of San Miguel Corporation will be held on Tuesday, June 9,听2026听at听2:00 P.M.

The Stockholders鈥� Meeting will be conducted via remote communication and livestreamed at the Company鈥檚 website. Stockholders can attend the meeting by remote communication.

The Agenda for the Meeting is as follows.

1. Certification of Notice and Quorum听
2. Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Stockholders’ Meeting held on June 10, 2025 听
3. Presentation of the Annual Report听
4. Ratification of Acts and Proceedings of the Board of Directors and Corporate Officers听
5. Approval of Directors鈥� Fees for 2025听
6. Appointment of External Auditors听
7. Election of the Board of Directors听
8. Other Matters听
9. Adjournment

Stockholders who would like to attend the online meeting should access the 2026 SMC AGSM Website at to obtain the following, namely:

(a) the minutes of the 2025 Regular Stockholders鈥� Meeting;

(b) the resolutions of the Board of Directors beginning January 1, 2026 which will be available online beginning May 15, 2026;

(c) the ballots and proxies to attend the meeting; and

(d) the link to view the livestream of the meeting which will be available on the day of the meeting.

During the meeting, the Company shall entertain questions and comments from the stockholders after the presentation of the Annual Report. Questions and comments must be submitted either in advance or during the meeting by email to stockholders@sanmiguel.com.ph. Questions which were not answered during the meeting shall be forwarded to the Office of the Corporate Secretary for the appropriate response.

Ballots and proxies can be submitted via email at stockholders@sanmiguel.com.ph which submission shall be duly acknowledged and validated by the SMC Stock Transfer Service Corporation. For individual stockholders, the submissions must be accompanied by a copy of a government issued ID as proof of identification. For corporations, the submission must be accompanied by a certification from its Corporate Secretary stating the corporate officer鈥檚 authority to represent and sign on behalf of the corporation. Kindly submit to the SMC Stock Transfer Service Corporation the original signed and notarized documents within a reasonable time after the resumption of regular business operations.

The deadline for submission of ballots and proxies is on听May 26, 2026. Validation of ballots and proxies will be on June 2, 2026,听at 10:00听a.m. at the SMC Stock Transfer Service Corporation Office, 2^nd Floor, SMC Head Office Complex, No. 40 San Miguel Ave., Mandaluyong City, Philippines.

听

(Originally signed)听

Virgilio S. Jacinto听

Corporate Secretary

Spotlight is 大象传媒鈥檚 sponsored section that allows advertisers to amplify their brand and connect with 大象传媒鈥檚 audience by publishing their stories on the 大象传媒 Web site. For more information, send an email to听online@bworldonline.com.

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They stay in the mind long after the stay ends, like the cool, pine-scented mornings of Baguio, the soft mist of Tagaytay, and that amazing golden hour glow of Boracay as the sea turns silver after the sunset . These are places people return to not only for their scenery, but also for the way they make them feel: lighter and calmer.

Truly, destinations like Tagaytay City, Baguio City, and Boracay Island have become emotional landmarks in their own right, offering guests a slice of paradise for rest and renewal.

This is where 鈥淏rittany Beautiful鈥� finds its meaning. Beyond architecture, landscapes, and postcard-worthy views, Brittany developments offer beauty lived through meaningful moments and refined lifestyles they make possible. And these come to life in some of Brittany鈥檚 most promising developments across three iconic destinations.

A European holiday in the highlands

In Tagaytay City, Brittany brings the romance of an Alpine village to life through Crosswinds.

This 120-hectare development, surrounded by 35,000 towering pine trees in the highlands, stands out for its Swiss-inspired architecture, chalet-style homes, themed residential enclaves, and that cool mountain atmosphere.

Clearly, beauty is in the landscape. But it can also be found in the beautiful moments when life feels removed from the rush of the city鈥攔esidents waking up to crisp air, walking along nature trails, enjoying the open spaces, and spending leisurely afternoons in curated dining destinations that make every visit feel like a holiday. It also helps that while Tagaytay offers a sense of retreat, it remains accessible to urban comforts.

At present, Crosswinds offers prime residential lots within the 24-ha Lausanne, a rising neighborhood perched at the highest point of this estate; Deux Maison, which reimagines mountain living through chalet-style duplexes infused with modern design sensibilities; and Alpine Villas, which introduces vertical living that still captures the calm and character of a resort-inspired mountain setting.

A vertical retreat in the heart of Baguio

If you鈥檙e more inclined to go north of the metro, Brittany also has an equally promising residential development in Baguio City.

The four-tower Bern, situated along Outlook Drive, introduces a vertical leisure residence that allows you to 鈥渂reathe Baguio鈥�, capturing what has long made the Philippine Summer Capital beloved鈥� its cool weather, rich heritage, creative spirit, and gentler pace of life.

Designed in collaboration with Singapore-based WOW Architects, Bern is envisioned as a refined mountain address shaped by organic architecture and expansive views. It takes inspiration from the pine cone, with a distinctive form and cantilevered balconies that respond naturally to the surrounding landscape.

Its design prioritizes comfort and well-being as well. Sliding doors allow natural ventilation, while elevated amenity spaces鈥攕uch as fitness and yoga studios, wellness areas, lounges, and viewing decks鈥攎ake daily routines feel more restorative. Residents can enjoy privacy, while remaining close to Baguio鈥檚 heritage caf茅s and cultural landmarks.

Here, 鈥淏rittany Beautiful鈥� means waking up to mountain views, breathing in cooler air, and creating memories wrapped in the familiar comfort of Baguio.

At present, Brittany is offering units 鈥攐ne-bedroom and two-bedroom cuts鈥攊n the second tower called Niesen. Eiger, the first tower, which broke ground in February, is already sold out.

Coastal refinement in paradise

Boracay, notably, is where many people keep some of their most vivid memories: first trips with friends, sunset walks, family vacations, and days defined by sun, sand and sea.

With Escana Boracay, Brittany offers a more private and refined way to experience island living. Set within Boracay鈥檚 quieter Station Zero, this 5.1-ha landmark mixed-use development brings together residential, hospitality, and commercial components into one cohesive, masterplanned destination that balances innovation, sustainability, and elevated lifestyle experiences.

Also designed in collaboration with WOW Architects, this rising Brittany development features hillside homes with expansive balconies overlooking Boracay鈥檚 famed sunset and crystal-clear waters. Sky gardens, infinity pools, beachfront lounges, landscaped pathways, and curated outdoor spaces are designed to blur the boundary between home and paradise.

At Escana, beauty is found in the stunning views from your home as well as in the life you鈥檒l build around it鈥攖alk about sunset gatherings and barefoot mornings, ocean breezes and memories that linger long after the tide shifts.

For more information on Brittany’s collection of luxury properties, visit. You may also follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

Spotlight is 大象传媒鈥檚 sponsored section that allows advertisers to amplify their brand and connect with 大象传媒鈥檚 audience by publishing their stories on the 大象传媒 Web site. For more information, send an email to听online@bworldonline.com.

Join us on Viber at听听to get more updates and subscribe to 大象传媒鈥檚 titles and get exclusive content through听.

Spotlight is 大象传媒鈥檚 sponsored section that allows advertisers to amplify their brand and connect with 大象传媒鈥檚 audience by publishing their stories on the 大象传媒 Web site. For more information, send an email to听online@bworldonline.com.

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The partnership brings together two names that Filipinos trust and look up to 鈥� Watsons, known for making health, wellness, and beauty accessible to all, and SB19, one of the country鈥檚 most influential P-pop groups, continuing to make waves on the global stage. At its core, the collaboration highlights the belief that confidence and excellence are built through everyday habits.

For Watsons, self-care has always gone beyond products on the shelf.听滨迟鈥檚听about helping people feel ready, confident, and at their best, whether for big moments or everyday routines. In many ways, this mirrors SB19鈥檚 journey. Behind every performance is discipline, preparation, and a commitment to continuous improvement, values that resonate strongly with how Watsons supports Filipinos in their own daily lives.

Both Watsons and SB19 understand that what happens behind the scenes matters just as much as what people see. From skincare and personal grooming to wellness routines that keep up with a fast-paced lifestyle,听it鈥檚听the small, consistent habits that make a lasting difference.

鈥淪B19听represents听a generation that values authenticity, hard work, and self-expression. And at Watsons, we believe these qualities are supported by consistent self-care. 鈥淭his collaboration reflects a shared belief that everyday routines empower people to perform, create, and express themselves with confidence,鈥� said Jefferson L. Go, Chief Operating Officer of Watsons Philippines.

As brand ambassadors, SB19鈥檚 Pablo, Josh, Stell, Ken, and Justin bring their signature energy, artistry, and authenticity to campaigns that highlight Watsons鈥� wide range of health, wellness, and beauty offerings. More than just faces of the brand, they represent a mindset that resonates with a new generation 鈥� one that values growth, discipline, and staying true to oneself.

Fans, especially A鈥橳IN and Watsons Club members, can expect more exciting moments ahead. One of the first highlights of the partnership will be SB19鈥檚 much-anticipated performance at the upcoming Watsons Playlist: Own the Moment happening on May 31 at SM MOA Arena, where they are set to top-bill the show. The event brings together music, wellness, beauty, and community, offering fans a chance to experience听the collaboration听in a more personal and high-energy setting.

More than a typical endorsement, the partnership between Watsons and SB19 reflects a shared story, one that celebrates Filipino pride, perseverance, and the power of showing up every day as your best self.

As the collaboration unfolds, fans are invited to stay connected with Watsons Philippines through its official social media channels 鈥斕�听on Instagram,听听on Facebook, and听听on TikTok, for exclusive content, updates, and upcoming campaign highlights.

Spotlight is 大象传媒鈥檚 sponsored section that allows advertisers to amplify their brand and connect with 大象传媒鈥檚 audience by publishing their stories on the 大象传媒 Web site. For more information, send an email to听online@bworldonline.com.

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In 2026, the global BPO industry is crossing an irreversible threshold. The billable hour 鈥� a 40-year pricing convention built on the economics of human labor 鈥� has become structurally incompatible with the technology leading call centers in the Philippines are already running in production. When a single Filipino AI Pilot simultaneously governs a fleet of up to 10 autonomous agents, resolving customer contacts in a fraction of the time and at a fraction of the per-interaction cost, the hour is no longer the relevant unit of measurement.听The outcome is.

This is not an ideological position. It is an arithmetic one. And the Philippine contact center sector 鈥� empowered by an AI-ready workforce, a legislative compute subsidy, and two decades of operational excellence 鈥� is uniquely positioned to lead the transition from Labor Arbitrage to听Outcome Arbitrage.

4x Productivity Lost: Why Hourly-Billed Philippine BPOs Are Financially Incentivized to Under-Deploy Agentic AI

Hourly billing is a conflict of interest in the age of agentic AI: when vendors bill by time, every efficiency gain from AI reduces their revenue 鈥� creating a rational financial incentive to under-deploy the technology clients are paying them to run.

The billable hour听contains听a structural flaw that has always existed but was tolerable when human labor was the primary input. In a world of agentic AI, it becomes a direct conflict of interest. When vendors bill by time, efficiency reduces their revenue. An AI agent that resolves a service request in 120 seconds that once took a human 20 minutes does not generate 10x more revenue 鈥� it generates 10x less. The rational response for a vendor trapped in hourly billing is to not deploy AI at its full capacity. The client pays for this rational response every month.

This is the听Efficiency Paradox: the pricing model designed to reward productivity now rewards its opposite. Philippine operations shifting to Outcome-Based Pricing 鈥� where billing is anchored to resolved tickets,听retained听subscribers, and verified transactions 鈥斕齟liminate听this contradiction entirely.

According to John Maczynski, CEO of听听and former Global EVP of the world鈥檚 largest contact center outsourcing provider, 鈥�The billable hour was never a neutral pricing mechanism. It was always a proxy for effort, not value. In 2026, when AI can deliver 10x the throughput per headcount at a fraction of the cost, paying by the hour is not just inefficient 鈥� it is a structural guarantee that your vendor will never fully invest in the technology you need them to run. Outcome-Based Pricing removes that guarantee. It replaces conflict of interest with aligned interest.鈥�

100% Power Deduction: How the CREATE MORE Act Gives Philippine Agentic AI Clusters a 30鈥�40% Cost Edge Over Western Facilities

The CREATE MORE Act鈥檚 100% power expense deduction for high-compute AI infrastructure is the single most underreported competitive advantage in Philippine outsourcing 鈥� reducing the total cost of running GPU-heavy agentic AI clusters by an estimated 30鈥�40% versus equivalent US or European facilities.

The second structural advantage of call center operations in the Philippines in 2026 is legislative. The CREATE MORE Act鈥檚 100% power expense deduction is the enabling infrastructure behind high-compute agentic AI deployment in the country. GPU clusters capable of running autonomous customer service agents, real-time prior authorization, and multi-modal interaction analysis require energy costs that are prohibitively expensive at US or European operating rates.

By subsidizing these infrastructure costs, the Philippine government has effectively funded the compute layer for enterprise agentic AI 鈥� allowing Philippine hubs to run GPU-heavy LLM workloads at a total cost of ownership that no Western onshore facility can match. This is not a marginal pricing advantage. It is an architectural one. And it is why Outcome-Based Pricing, which requires high-volume agentic AI to be economically viable, is achievable in the Philippines when it is not achievable at equivalent quality and scale elsewhere.

From $4.80 to $1.20 per Resolution: The CFO-Ready Case for Outcome-Based Service Pricing in Philippine Call Centers

At $12鈥�16/hr听with an 18-minute average handle time, a Philippine customer support representative costs $3.60鈥�$4.80 per resolved interaction under an hourly contract. The same interaction resolved by an AI agent governed by a Filipino AI Pilot costs $0.50鈥�$1.50 鈥� a 65鈥�88% reduction that hourly billing structurally prevents clients from capturing.听

Outcome-Based Pricing is not a vendor-friendly pricing reform. It is a client-protective one. Under the hourly model, the client pays for idle capacity, transition periods, failed resolution attempts, and the vendor鈥檚 unwillingness to invest in efficiency. Under an Outcome-Based model, the client pays only for value delivered.听听

From Hourly Billing to Outcome-Based Pricing: A 180-Day Transition听

Case Study: A global e-commerce platform paying $14/hr for Philippine call center support engaged PITON-Global to restructure their outsourcing contract from a per-FTE hourly model to an Outcome-Based Pricing arrangement. The platform processed 1.2 million monthly contacts, of which 67% were tier-1 queries suitable for agentic AI resolution.

PITON-Global designed a phased transition: hybrid hourly/performance in Months 1鈥�2, per-resolution billing from Month 3, and a value-share arrangement from Month 6. At the 180-day mark: tier-1 resolution rose from 41% to 63%, cost per resolved interaction fell from $4.80 to $1.20, and vendor AI investment increased 340% 鈥� a direct result of the changed incentive structure.

Ralf Ellspermann,听 and a 25-year veteran of Philippine BPO operations, said, 鈥�Outcome-Based Pricing is not a pricing decision. It is a business model decision. It requires the vendor to redesign how they measure performance, how they deploy technology, and how they hold themselves accountable for results. The vendors who resist it are not protecting their margins 鈥� they are protecting their inability to deliver. The ones who embrace it are building the only sustainable competitive position in this market.鈥�

4 Conditions Required: When Outcome-Based Pricing Fails in Philippine Call Centers 鈥� and What Must Be True First

Outcome-Based Pricing fails when four conditions are unmet: real-time outcome measurement infrastructure, precisely defined resolution criteria, 12+ months of structured interaction data, and high-volume repeatable workflow types. Attempting the transition without all four is the fastest route to a contractual dispute.

Outcome-Based Pricing is not a universal prescription. PITON-Global听advises听against it in the following circumstances:

• No measurement infrastructure:听OBP听requires听real-time outcome tracking, clear resolution definitions, and auditable attribution. If neither party has the data systems to verify what was delivered, the contract becomes a dispute mechanism, not a partnership.

• Undefined or contested outcome definitions:听鈥淩esolved鈥� must be precisely defined 鈥� does it mean first-contact resolution? No reopen within 72 hours? Was it confirmed by the customer? Ambiguity creates perverse incentives on the听vendor听side.

• SME organizations without historical interaction data:听Effective agentic AI requires a massive amount of training data. Companies without 12+ months of structured interaction logs cannot build the AI systems needed that make per-resolution economics viable. For these organizations, hourly billing with performance bonuses remains the appropriate model for at least the next 2鈥�5 years.

• Highly variable or bespoke interaction types:听OBP works best on high-volume, repeatable workflows. Complex or emotionally intensive interactions 鈥� senior care, mental health support, high-value financial disputes 鈥� require human judgment that does not lend itself to per-resolution billing at scale.

The Structural Verdict

Labor Arbitrage 鈥� paying less for the same work 鈥� is no longer the value proposition of Philippine call center operations. Outcome Arbitrage 鈥� delivering superior results at a fraction of the per-resolution cost, through AI-augmented Filipino specialists working under an aligned incentive model 鈥� is. The enterprises restructuring their outsourcing contracts around outcomes in 2026 are not just reducing costs. They are removing the structural ceiling on how good their operations can get.

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Following the turnover of IMSI Catcher Detectors last March, Globe continues to support government partners by strengthening their capability to use these tools in real-world enforcement. The session gathered representatives from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), the Philippine National Police鈥揅riminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG), and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for a hands-on learning experience.

The technical walkthrough was led by Dr. Altaf Shaik, a globally recognized expert in cellular and next-generation network security from听Technische听Universit盲t Berlin. He shared insights on how these threats exploit vulnerabilities in mobile networks, along with practical approaches to detecting and mitigating them.

鈥淭his is no longer just about having the tools,鈥� said Atty. Froi Castelo, Globe Group General Counsel. 鈥淲hat matters is how effectively they are used, and that requires stronger coordination and a shared understanding of the threat landscape.鈥�

For Globe, strengthening mobile security means working closely with partners to improve both systems and response. The company continues to support efforts that enable faster detection, clearer visibility of threats, and more coordinated enforcement actions.

鈥淒etection is one part of it, but what really matters is what happens after,鈥� said Anton Bonifacio, Globe Chief AI and Data Officer and Chief Information Security Officer. 鈥淚f we can help teams better identify the source of these rogue signals and act on them faster, that鈥檚 where you start to see real impact.鈥�

The training also emphasized the importance of coordination across agencies, where information sharing and aligned response can significantly improve outcomes. This kind of collaboration allows teams on the ground to move faster and stay ahead of increasingly sophisticated threats.

As mobile connectivity continues to shape how Filipinos live and work, efforts like this help ensure that the systems behind it remain secure and reliable. Globe and its partners remain committed to strengthening the country鈥檚 digital defenses and protecting users from evolving mobile-based risks.

Spotlight is 大象传媒鈥檚 sponsored section that allows advertisers to amplify their brand and connect with 大象传媒鈥檚 audience by publishing their stories on the 大象传媒 Web site. For more information, send an email to听online@bworldonline.com.

Join us on Viber at听听to get more updates and subscribe to 大象传媒鈥檚 titles and get exclusive content through听.