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CebVibe, Medina Apartment, Sta. Lucia Vill. Kasambagan, Cebu City (2026)

07/06/2026

𝗖𝗲𝗯𝘂 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗺𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗼 𝗦𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗼 𝗮𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗘𝗢, 𝗝𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗦𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗼 𝗜𝗜𝗜 𝗮𝘀 𝗘𝘅𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻

Leading developer in Visayas and Mindanao Cebu Landmasters, Inc. (CLI) has announced the appointment of Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Jose Franco B. Soberano as President and Chief Executive Officer, following its Annual Stockholders Meeting and organizational Board meeting on June 5, 2026.

Franco succeeds founder Jose R. Soberano III, who will remain Executive Chairman of the Board and Chair of the Executive Committee, continuing to provide strategic direction, board leadership, and continuity as CLI enters its next chapter of expansion.

The succession plan has been developed over several years as part of the company's long-term leadership and governance strategy, reinforcing CLI’s commitment to building a sustainable institution as it advances its vision of becoming the Philippines’ leading and most trusted developer.

"This transition reflects years of deliberate preparation and a shared commitment to ensuring Cebu Landmasters remains strong for generations to come," Jose Soberano III said. "Franco has played a critical role in shaping the company we are today and is well positioned to lead CLI through its next stage of growth."

As part of its governance transition, CLI shareholders also elected Leonardo “Jun” D. Cuaresma Jr. as Independent Director, succeeding Ma. Aurora “Boots” D. Geotina-Garcia, who completed her allowable term under SEC rules on independent director tenure. Cuaresma brings decades of experience in audit, accounting, and governance, further strengthening the Board as CLI enters its next phase of growth. He previously served as Managing Partner and Chief Operating Officer of Punongbayan & Araullo, and chaired the Philippine Auditing and Assurance Standards Council.

The announcement comes as CLI delivers record sales growth and expands its national footprint.

In 2025, the company posted record reservation sales of Php24.6 billion, up 45 percent from the previous year and the highest in its history, driven by strong end-user demand across key VisMin markets and the successful launch of fast-selling residential projects. CLI also reported consolidated revenues of Php18.5 billion, reflecting sustained operational strength amid the timing of project completions and revenue recognition.

Through Franco Soberano as COO, CLI has strengthened its portfolio, expanded its geographic reach, and advanced strategic initiatives that have reinforced its position as the leading developer in Visayas and Mindanao and one of the country's fastest-growing listed property developers.

The company recently accelerated its expansion beyond VisMin with the planned launch of its first residential mixed-use development in Pasig and the acquisition of a 70-hectare property in Dasmariñas, Cavite, envisioned to be a future township.

Founded in Cebu in 2003, CLI has grown from a regional developer into a publicly listed company with a presence across 21 cities and municipalities and more than 132 projects in various stages of development to date. Its portfolio spans residential, office, hospitality, mixed-use, and master-planned communities.

The leadership transition underscores the company's confidence in its future and commitment to long-term value creation for shareholders, homeowners, business partners, and communities.

“As our Chairman has expressed his trust in the next generation of leadership, I humbly accept this responsibility with the deepest gratitude and with the highest respect for the legacy that Chairman Joe Soberano has built.” said Franco Soberano. “As we build the CLI of the future, I call on our 1,500-strong organization to lean on the momentum we’ve built for many years and on the back of our renewed vision-mission to be masterful, resilient and yet very generous in our efforts.”

07/06/2026

The University of the Philippines Cebu Design Program holds its annual DES/INYO 2026 Design Week on June 5, 2026 at SM City Cebu.

SM City Cebu’s Northwing transforms into an explosion of creativity, innovation, and purpose as various works of different student designers are displayed for DES/INYO 2026. This three day exhibit run by the UP Cebu Design Program features exceptional works by UP design students across all year levels and the outputs of the Design Program’s research laboratories: the Fabrication Laboratory (FabLab) and the Materials Innovation and Experimentation (MATIX) Lab.

This year’s design week also marks a significant achievement for the UP Cebu Design program as it celebrates its 20th anniversary alongside the 10th anniversary of its Fabrication Laboratory (FabLab).

Exhibit guests and visitors were taken through an immersive and captivating walkthrough of the exhibit, following a specially curated itinerary that ensured a cohesive experience of the exhibit as intended by the curators.

Carrying the theme “RE•PORMA: Design as Rebuilding.”, this year’s design week focuses on the field of design’s role in reimagination and rebuilding—constructing from pieces left from ruins and transforming them into spaces and objects dedicated to intention, justice, and care.The theme also highlights rebuilding as a communal effort, built upon the insights, skills, and shared adaptability of both the designers and the community for which they serve.

DES/INYO 2026 also acts as an entryway for interested admissions applicants of the University of the Philippines Cebu Design Program for Academic Year 2026–2027.

Prospective students who envision themselves pursuing a career in design are encouraged to take the Talent Aptitude Test (TAT) as part of the enrollment process for either the Bachelor of Fine Arts Major in Product Design, a four-year program for UPCAT passers, or the Certificate in Fine Arts Major in Product Design, a three-year ladderized course for non-UPCAT takers or passers.

Registration is available throughout the whole duration of the event.

07/06/2026

𝗣𝗼𝗹𝘆𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗶𝗰 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 (𝗣𝗨𝗣) 𝗮𝗱𝗼𝗽𝘁𝘀 𝗚𝗖𝗮𝘀𝗵 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗽𝗮𝘆𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗯𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀

Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) President Dr. Manuel “B**g” Muhi and GCash Head of B2B Sales, Cleo Celeste Santos, formalize a collaboration that will bring digital payment and disbursement solutions to PUP campuses nationwide.

The collaboration was formally celebrated at a ceremonial launch held at the Mateo Conference Room of PUP's main campus in Sta. Mesa, Manila. The event was led by PUP President Dr. Manuel "B**g" Muhi, Executive Vice President for Planning and Finance Alberto C. Guillo, and Director, Funds Management Office Catherine "Cathy" Oposa, who championed the collaboration from the ground up.

Through the partnership, students will be able to use GCash for scan-to-pay transactions at all 20 campuses, online web payments for a seamless enrollment-to-payment experience, and GBills for Open University and certification fees. Five thousand GCash cards will also be distributed to scholars, athletes, and student representatives to support cashless disbursements of scholarships and financial assistance.

As the most populous state university in the Philippines, currently serving over 106,500 students, PUP has built its reputation on accessible, affordable education, offering free tuition across all its campuses nationwide. Under President Muhi, the university has made digital transformation a cornerstone of its operations, with a centralized enrollment portal that positions PUP to deploy integrated solutions at scale.

“Through this partnership, the PUP community will benefit from accessible digital financial services such as Scan-to-Pay, Bills Payment, Mobile Payment Solutions, and Fund Disbursement Services, promoting faster, safer, and more convenient transactions for the Iskolar ng Bayan,” Dr. Manuel M. Muhi, President of PUP, shared.

“Partnering with PUP is a meaningful step in helping make digital financial services more accessible to students across the country. Through this collaboration, we hope to support the university’s commitment to innovation by providing solutions that make payments and financial assistance disbursements faster, safer, and more convenient for the entire PUP community. At GCash, we believe that empowering students with accessible digital tools also helps prepare them for a more digitally connected future,” said Cleo Celeste Santos, GCash Head of B2B Sales.

Further, partnership reflects a broader push to advance financial inclusion among young Filipinos. Students no longer have to contend with long lines, time-consuming trips, or manual paperwork. With the integration of GCash digital financial tools and solutions, essential campus services are made faster and more accessible for communities across the country.

By bringing its digital finance ecosystem directly into campuses across the country, GCash continues to work with schools and organizations nationwide to expand access to digital financial solutions, creating services that are more seamless, more accessible, and more in tune with the way young Filipinos live and learn today.

For more information, please visit www.gcash.com.

07/06/2026

𝐀𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐨 𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧-𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐥 𝐛𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠
by: 𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐤𝐚 𝐆𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐦𝐨, 𝐀𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐨 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬

At a time when loneliness and isolation seem as widespread as ever, the bonds between humans and animals offer a powerful reminder that healing often begins with connection.

As interest in these relationships grows, so too does the need to better understand them through research. With the theme “Healing Connections Between Humans and Animals,” the Second Philippine Human-Animal Bond Conference (PHABCON) gathered more than 200 healthcare professionals, researchers, students, veterinarians, and advocates in person for the first time at Ateneo de Manila University’s Leong Hall last May 30. The event was a celebration of the university’s long-standing support for animal-assisted services and evidence-based approaches to mental health and well-being.

The conference was especially meaningful as it marked the tenth anniversary of Communitails as well as the birthday of its late founder, Dr. Carla Azucena. Since its founding in 2016, Communitails has grown into a vibrant community dedicated to advancing ethical and professional animal-assisted services in the Philippines through research, training, and community engagement.

Research as service to humanity and animals

It is at this intersection of compassion, care, and inquiry that Dr. Filomeno V. Aguilar, Ateneo de Manila University Assistant Vice President for Research, Creative Work, and Innovation, situated his opening remarks. He underscored the need for research that serves people, animals, and communities.

“PHABCON carries this work forward by inviting us to imagine how research can better serve humanity, animal welfare, and the wider world we share. After all, research, at its best, is an act of service,” Dr. Aguilar said.

He noted that research on the human-animal bond deepens our understanding of care and well-being. He also acknowledged and praised Communitails’ pioneering efforts in advancing animal-assisted services in the Philippines, and thanked the organization for helping the Ateneo create safe, inclusive, and evidence-informed spaces for healing.

A heartfelt highlight was the keynote address of Raj Mariwala, Director of the Mariwala Health Initiative in India and founder of Citizen K9 India. In “Across Species, Across Care: Rethinking Healing Together,” Mariwala spoke about the importance of trust, communication, consent, and respect in nurturing healthy relationships between humans and animals. Sharing stories and lessons from work in canine behavior, mental health, and disability justice, Mariwala inspired participants to create communities of care that honor the well-being of both.

“I love working with dogs and cats because it continuously reminds me that well-being is relational: it doesn't happen in isolation. Dogs don't become confident alone; humans don't heal alone,” they said.

Researching the future of human-animal relationships

The conference also showcased emerging research on the many ways people and animals enrich each other’s lives. Presenters shared studies on animal-assisted interventions in educational and healthcare settings, the experiences of foster pet owners and animal rescuers, the role of companion animals on well-being, and innovative approaches to animal welfare, elder care, and community engagement. Each presentation added a new layer to our understanding of how these bonds contribute to health, resilience, and connection.

As Communitails celebrates ten years, PHABCON 2026 brought together researchers, practitioners, and institutions with a renewed sense of purpose and partnership. The conference united participants with a collective belief in the healing power of the human-animal bond and the promise of research to create, as Dr. Aguilar framed it, “a world made gentler, wiser, and more whole through research and care.”

07/06/2026

𝐅𝐢𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐞’𝐬 𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐝𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡 𝐢𝐧 𝟏𝐐 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

Globe sustained its broadband momentum in the first quarter of 2026, with fiber continuing to anchor growth as more Filipino households transition to high-speed, reliable connectivity. Home broadband revenues rose 6% year-on-year to Php 6.2 billion, supported by deeper fiber adoption across the base and steady demand for data-driven services.

Fiber remained the dominant component of Globe’s home broadband portfolio, accounting for approximately 93% of total home broadband revenues, as adoption continued to deepen across households. This shift reflects the company’s ongoing push to transition customers to faster and more reliable connectivity, supported by the steady expansion of its fiber footprint nationwide. As a result, Globe’s total broadband subscriber base grew 22% year-on-year to 2.2 million, driven by migration to fiber and sustained demand for high-quality internet services to support work, online learning, entertainment, and everyday digital activities. The milestone of one million GFiber Prepaid subscribers further highlights the increasing preference for flexible and accessible fiber solutions nationwide.

This strong fiber-led performance allowed the segment to sustain business momentum, marking its fourth consecutive quarter of sequential growth and delivering one of its strongest starts to the year in recent periods.

Consistent Network Experience

Facing global uncertainties, Globe maintains a disciplined and focused approach to ensure a consistent network experience. The company prioritizes efficient capital allocation, funneling investments into high-impact infrastructure like fiber, while simultaneously maintaining positive free cash flow and minimizing foreign exchange exposure. In the first quarter, Capital Expenditures (CapEx) totaled Php 12.7 billion, predominantly dedicated to data-related initiatives.

“As demand for high-speed connectivity continues to grow, our focus is on scaling fiber to meet the evolving needs of Filipino homes while maintaining a reliable and consistent network experience,” said Carl Cruz, President and CEO of Globe. “We remain disciplined in how we invest, ensuring that every peso spent delivers meaningful value for our customers and supports long-term sustainability to the business.”

Going forward, Globe maintains a low to mid single-digit percent revenue growth for the year, anchored on sustained demand for data and continued expansion of its fiber footprint. Against a volatile macro-economic backdrop, this guidance reflects both prudence and confidence in the Company’s ability to provide consistent and reliable best-in-class network experience.

By strengthening its fiber infrastructure and expanding access nationwide, Globe continues to reinforce its position in home connectivity, enabling more households to participate in the country’s growing digital economy.

For more information, visit https://www.globe.com.ph/.

07/06/2026

𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝐉𝐫. 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥, 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐤𝐞𝐲 𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬

As the Head Secretariat and Presidential Adviser on Space Matters, Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) Ad Interim Director General Gay Jane P. Perez, Ph.D. reported on the progress of the Multispectral Unit for Land Assessment (MULA) satellite, the Philippines’ most advanced satellite to date, with a possible launch in April 2027 aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-20. Data from MULA will support agriculture, maritime monitoring, disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM), and national security applications.

MULA is now fully built and undergoing space environment testing in the UK to verify that it meets technical and mission assurance requirements. Should tests reveal any anomalies, these will be resolved and the satellite will be re-tested accordingly. As this is an iterative process, it may result in adjustments to the satellite development schedule.

MULA’s main satellite body prior to integration with its camera payload

Recognizing the importance of building the local space economy, the development of a MULA constellation as a national priority was approved. This will produce more MULA satellites, through the license that allows the Philippines to rebuild MULA locally.

“PhilSA proposes to build a MULA constellation, composed of follow-on satellites developed and integrated domestically, to secure long-term continuity and improved availability of Earth observation data for government users. This will anchor the maturation of a Philippine space industry, and establish a nationally owned and operated Earth observation capacity commensurate with the country's strategic requirements,” explained by Dr. Perez on how multiple satellites would allow more frequent revisits and provide impetus for local satellite manufacturing.

The resolution on the establishment of a Philippine geostationary telecommunications satellite was also approved to provide a reliable and resilient communications network for the country, especially as a critical backup to terrestrial networks during emergencies. This will ensure public safety, connectivity, and the continuity of critical government services.

Further boosting the country's capabilities, the launch of the first liquid fuelled rocket from the Philippines is targeted by early next year from Lal-lo Airport in Cagayan. The launch will demonstrate a domestic propellant supply chain as well as safety procedures and launch authorization for local rocket launches. These activities are initial steps towards the establishment and operation of a Philippine spaceport. With the Pacific Ocean to its east and its proximity to the equator, the Philippines is well positioned for safe and secure rocket launch and recovery operations, helping to reduce costs, improve launch efficiency, and create opportunities for future space activities.

Aligned with the President's directive to ensure accessible and effective use of satellite data through sustained partnerships, a resolution on the harmonization of satellite data requirements was also passed, streamlining utilization of satellite-derived data for national infrastructure planning, programming, monitoring, and evaluation. PhilSA has also been contributing space data to increase transparency and accountability in the government. Satellite images have been provided to support the Office of the Ombudsman’s investigation of flood control projects.

The TWG on orbital debris, led by PhilSA and composed of multiple national agencies, develops national policies and protocols aligned with international standards to respond to risks related to orbital debris

With the increase of space vehicle launches internationally, the establishment of a national response protocol on space debris was passed. Likewise, the interagency technical working group (TWG) on orbital debris will also continue its work in handling debris related matters.

Present during the meeting was Council Co-Vice Chair Secretary of Science and Technology Renato U. Solidum, Jr. joined by council members House Chairperson on Science and Technology Hon. Julio A. Ledesma IV, Secretary of Development, Economy, and Planning, Arsenio M. Balisacan, Secretary of Trade and Industry Ma. Cris Aldeguer-Roque, Secretary of Information and Communications Technology Henry Rhoel A. Aguda; including council representatives from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary Maria Andrelita S. Austria, Department of Finance (DOF) Undersecretary Maria Edita Z. Tan, Department of National Defense (DND) Undersecretary Fabian M. Pedregosa, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Undersecretary Augusto D. dela Peña, and Department of Agriculture (DA) Assistant Secretary Allen Kristopher A. Anarna.

The PSC was created under the Philippine Space Act, RA 11363, and is the principal advisory body for coordinating and integrating policies, programs, and resources related to space science and technology applications. Under the law, the PSC shall approve the implementation of Philippine space policies in accordance with international conventions, ensure the appropriate allocation of resources to support PhilSA’s performance of its mandate, and approve strategic directions and decisions for the implementation of PhilSA.

07/06/2026

𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐞 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐦 𝐋𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐦: 𝐀 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐃𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐞𝐛𝐮

Globe Platinum continues to redefine premium by placing purpose at the center of its customer experiences. This dinner for a cause brings together influence, advocacy, and meaningful engagement to help address child stunting and malnutrition in the Philippines.

In Cebu, this advocacy came to life through Prime and Platinum, an intimate dining event held in partnership with La Carne Cebu and Ayala Foundation. The gathering brought together Globe Platinum clients and local women leaders, creating a space for purposeful conversations and shared commitment for community impact.

“Globe Platinum is committed to creating experiences that go beyond exclusivity. Through this dinner for a cause, we give our customers meaningful ways to be part of advocacies that create lasting impact,” said Mark Pasaylo, Head of Globe Platinum.

Each seat at the table contributed to a larger cause. A portion of the participation fee supported school feeding programs in Cebu, helping address hunger and eventually stunting among children in underserved communities. The experience showed how curated moments can translate into real support where it matters most.

Prime and Platinum, a dinner for a cause reflects Globe’s belief that connections should lead to opportunities that uplift lives. By engaging its customers in an initiative like this, Globe enables them to take an active role in nation-building while strengthening a shared sense of purpose.

“Partnerships like these enable us to sustain programs that directly benefit our Hapag Movement communities, such as in BARMM, where child stunting is at its highest. It is a shared effort to create meaningful and lasting change,” shared by Ayala Foundation President Tony Lambino.

For Jovy Tuaño, owner of La Carne Cebu, every dining experience is an opportunity to create meaningful connections while guests enjoy the health and nutritional benefits of meat protein and dairy products served from farm to table. "At La Carne Cebu, we love to educate our patrons about our meat sources and differentiation. Experiences like these can elevate dining from nutrition awareness and food sustainability to advocacy. This partnership allows us to support communities while doing what we do best.”

The Hapag Movement continues to expand its reach. In 2025, it supported over 150,000 families, surpassing its original target, through more than PHP 54.9 million in donations.

Through this dinner for a cause Globe shows how refined experiences can serve a deeper purpose, turning every shared moment into an opportunity to help shape a better future for Filipino children.

For Globe customers, continue to support the Hapag Movement:
1. Open or download the GlobeOne App
2. Tap on the “Rewards” button
3. Search for The Hapag Movement
4. Send your available Rewards points

For more information about Globe, visit https://www.globe.com.ph/.

07/06/2026

𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝟑 𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐈 𝐎𝐥𝐲𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐚𝐝

The Philippines placed among the top three national delegations at the recent 2026 Northern Eurasia Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence (NEOAI), marking a major international showing for the country’s young artificial intelligence talent.

The Philippine delegation was selected through the International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence Philippines (IOAIPH), hosted by the Ateneo de Manila University Business Insights Laboratory for Development (BUILD) of the John Gokongwei School of Management.

The Philippine team competed against 224 young computer scientists from national delegations and independent competitors from major technology education hubs, including Russia, Romania, Iran, Malaysia, Serbia, Cyprus, and Mongolia.

All 12 members of the Philippine delegation earned official international certificates from Central University and the AI Alliance Russia after completing the rigorous two-day competition hosted by Central University and SberUniversity. The contest tested participants in advanced artificial intelligence engineering tasks, including machine learning, computer vision, and audio processing.

Leading the Philippine team was Juan Mateo J. Desuasido of Brent International School Manila, who placed 17th globally with 365.79 points. His performance put him in the equivalent gold tier and made him the highest-ranking competitor from outside the Russian and Romanian delegations.

Daphne Eunice U. Acena of De La Salle University–Dasmariñas High School and Theo Lorenzo T. Bustamante of Philippine Science High School–Calabarzon Region Campus placed in the equivalent silver tier, ranking 51st and 56th globally, respectively.

Five other Filipino students finished within the equivalent bronze tier: Ryan James L. Alfaro of Philippine Science High School–Calabarzon Region Campus, Conrad Jeffrey C. Tan of Grace Christian College, Troy Dylan T. Serapio of Philippine Science High School–Main Campus, Tristan Japheth L. Marquez of Philippine Science High School–Central Luzon Campus, and Aretha Cai Faustine M. Sy of St. Scholastica’s Academy of Marikina.

Ellison Matthew S. Ang of Philippine Science High School–Main Campus also earned an equivalent honorable mention, highlighted by a strong Day 2 performance that placed him 110th globally for that competition block.

Completing the national delegation were Almond Rose M. Obedoza of Stanford Online High School, Jhareign S. Solidum of University of Mindanao Ilang High School, and Noe Nathan Y. Arreza of Philippine Science High School–Calabarzon Region Campus, all of whom earned official certification.

Based on the average score of each nation’s top three competitors, the Philippines ranked third among national delegations, behind only Russia and Romania. Eight members of the Philippine team also placed in the global top 100 and achieved a 100% certification rate.

The team’s preparation and participation were supported by sponsors including Joy Nostalg, Times Paint, and the Tiu family, with support from community partners such as the Analytics and AI Association of the Philippines.

The results signal a strong emerging foothold for the Philippines in international AI education, underscoring the depth of the country’s young talent in artificial intelligence, data science, and mathematical computing.

07/06/2026

𝐌𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐚𝐧-𝐂𝐞𝐛𝐮 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐢𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐕𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐉𝐞𝐭'𝐬 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐂𝐞𝐛𝐮–𝐇𝐨 𝐂𝐡𝐢 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐡 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐕𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬

MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA), operated by Aboitiz InfraCapital Cebu Airport Corporation (ACAC), welcomed Vietnam’s leading budget carrier VietJet Air with its plans to launch a direct route between Ho Chi Minh City and Cebu, further strengthening air connectivity between two of Southeast Asia's most dynamic tourism and economic hubs.

The announcement ceremony was led by VietJet Air's Vice Chairman Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hung, together with Aboitiz InfraCapital President and CEO Cosette V. Canilao, during the Vietnam–Philippines Business Forum held on June 1, 2026 at Diamond Hotel Manila. The event formed part of the State Visit of Vietnamese President Tô Lâm, hosted by Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., underscoring the growing strategic partnership between the two countries in trade, investment, tourism, and connectivity.

"This development reflects the growing demand for travel between Cebu and Vietnam and highlights the strength of the relationship between our two countries. Direct connectivity plays a vital role in stimulating tourism, facilitating commerce, and creating opportunities that benefit our communities and economies,” said Canilao.

With this new direct route, Filipino travelers can now easily access Vietnam and other Asian countries, Vietnamese travelers are now also a flight away to discovering other exciting Philippine destinations via MCIA, the country’s busiest gateway outside Manila.

The planned Cebu–Ho Chi Minh City service marks a significant milestone in enhancing tourism, trade, and people-to-people exchanges between Vietnam and the Philippines. The new route is expected to provide travelers with greater convenience while opening new opportunities for business, investment, and leisure travel across both markets.

The announcement follows the successful operation of a series of VietJet charter flights between Da Nang, Vietnam and Cebu, which targeted the Philippine outbound leisure market and achieved strong passenger demand.

Recognizing the potential of the Vietnamese market, ACAC intensified its route development efforts through a series of strategic engagements with VietJet Air and Vietnam Airlines. These initiatives included airline headquarters visits, executive-level discussions, and participation in major international route development forums such as Routes World and Routes Asia. ACAC also shared comprehensive market intelligence, traffic demand analyses, and growth projections directly with airline network planning and commercial teams, demonstrating Cebu's strong potential as a growing international gateway.

The planned launch of direct flights between Cebu and Ho Chi Minh City highlights the success of these collaborative route development initiatives and reinforces MCIA's commitment to expanding international connectivity, supporting tourism growth, and strengthening Cebu's position as a leading gateway to the Philippines. This development further advances MCIA's Ceb Connects program, which aims to make Cebu as the Philippines' premier tourism transfer hub, seamlessly connecting international travelers to destinations across the country's islands.

With Vietnam emerging as one of Southeast Asia's fastest-growing travel markets, the new service—expected to commence in the fourth quarter of 2026—is poised to enhance accessibility between the two destinations while creating new opportunities for travelers, tourism stakeholders, and businesses alike.

CebVibe

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