by Ferry Bayu | Jul 1, 2026 | Business
MANILA, Philippines, 1 JULY, 2026 — Casino Plus, one of the country’s leading responsible digital entertainment platforms licensed by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), has officially capped off its Pride Month celebrations with its high-profile “All In Pride” campaign.
Guided by its fundamental corporate mission to “Bring Fun to People” by creating positive, exciting experiences, Casino Plus co-presented a spectacular live celebration by teaming up with the iconic Rampa Drag Club in Quezon City. The brand transformed the premier nightlife venue into an inclusive space highlighted by striking rainbow motifs and in mainstage displays.
The campaign culminated on Saturday, June 27, with the high-energy event “Divine Saturday: Rampadoras, It’s Time for a Bekbakan!” inside the packed venue.
The initiative highlighted the company’s commitment to Empowered Courage, daring to act and supporting one another through change by spotlighting an elite lineup of the country’s most prominent queer artists.
The star-studded event featured show-stopping performances by top drag headliners Minty Fresh, Tiny Deluxe, Popstar Bench, Zymba Ding, and O-A (Odasha). Sharing the stage was an exceptional ensemble of local talent, including the vibrant Rampa Reynas: Kieffy Nicole, Neenja, Abigaile, Asha Solé, Mistress Khiendra, Kiari, Katana, Eliza, Mz. Chronicles, and Bomba Ding.
To top off the celebration, special guest appearances by the Lola Divas, Raven Heyres, and Yumi Lacsamana solidified the evening as one of the most significant and star-studded local drag lineups of the season.
Demonstrating corporate agility by turning online connection into immediate physical impact, entries were validated through official systems. On June 24, Casino Plus rewarded its community by awarding winning storytellers exclusive tickets to the live gathering, seamlessly bridging digital advocacy with on-ground community building.
By creating diverse creative spaces, Casino Plus continues to practice corporate Integrity and an Excellence-driven standard, ensuring its cultural initiatives always pair top-tier entertainment with a strict commitment to secure, responsible, and fully regulated operations.
RESPONSIBLE GAMING ADVISORY
In accordance with PAGCOR’s Responsible Gaming Code of Practice, Casino Plus wishes to remind all players of the following:
Gaming is for entertainment purposes only. It should not be considered a source of income or a means of financial relief. Players are encouraged to play responsibly and within their means.
Winning is never guaranteed. All gaming outcomes are determined by chance. Past results, including jackpot wins, do not influence or predict future outcomes.
About IGO Digital High Technology, Inc.
Casino Plus is a trusted online casino platform in the Philippines, duly licensed and regulated by the PAGCOR. The company is committed to providing a secure, fair, and engaging digital entertainment experience, guided by the principles of responsible gaming and player protection. With its continuous expansion, Casino Plus is now regarded as one of the country’s leading online casino platforms, combining entertainment excellence with meaningful corporate social responsibility initiatives.
by Ferry Bayu | Jul 1, 2026 | Business
REURASIA Management Corporation is introducing ADERCO fuel preservation technology to the Philippine shipping market, positioning it as a practical step for shipowners seeking to reduce fuel consumption, cut CO2 emissions and improve Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) performance without changing fuel suppliers or making immediate capital-heavy vessel investments.
The Makati-based company presented the solution during the first day of PhilMarine 2026 at the SMX Convention Center Manila, where it was invited as a guest speaker for the Maritime Industry Authority’s technical conference. The event gathered maritime professionals, policymakers, shipbuilders and industry stakeholders around the themes of innovation, sustainability and resilience in the maritime sector.
REURASIA said the opportunity for Philippine shipping is clear: many operators need near-term ways to improve energy efficiency while managing fuel costs, vessel age and compliance pressure. Instead of replacing current fuels or competing with established petroleum suppliers, ADERCO’s technology is applied as a preservation and conditioning treatment for fuel already used by vessels.
ADERCO’s presentation described the technology as 100-percent vegetal organic, derived from tall oil, and based on physical surfactant action. The product is applied at a dosage ratio of one liter per 55 metric tons of fuel, has a high flash point of at least 140 degrees Celsius, and is described as compatible with gasoil, diesel, gasoline, kerosene, biofuel and heavy fuel oil.
REURASIA emphasized that the approach is complementary to existing bunkering arrangements with fuel suppliers such as Shell, Petron and other petroleum companies. The purpose is not to replace the fuel, but to preserve and condition it so it can burn more efficiently and reduce waste from poor fuel stability, sludge formation and incomplete combustion.
According to ADERCO’s Manila presentation, active customers treat more than 2,000 ships annually and more than 40 billion liters of fuel per year. The company cited verified fuel savings of 3 percent to 5 percent across vessel projects.
One refrigerated vessel project presented in Manila showed average fuel savings of 4.84 percent, equivalent to 1.62 metric tons of fuel saved per day. Over a 207-day trial period, the project showed 335 metric tons of fuel saved, about 1,044 metric tons of CO2 avoided, and fuel savings of about $200,000, based on presentation figures.
Other vessel results cited in the deck included a fleet of six bulk carriers with average fuel savings of 3.25 percent, an LPG carrier with 3.58 percent savings, a container ship with reported fuel savings of 4.13 percent, and another container vessel result of 2.19 percent. The presentation also showed additional vessel outcomes of 2 percent and 3 percent fuel savings.
The CII angle is especially relevant for vessels covered by International Maritime Organization rules. CII applies to ships of 5,000 gross tonnage and above and measures how efficiently a ship transports goods or passengers in terms of carbon dioxide emitted per cargo-carrying capacity and nautical mile. The ADERCO presentation noted that fuel additives are recognized as one measure for improving ship efficiency under Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan discussions and that a 3-percent efficiency improvement can be decisive in CII calculations.
REURASIA said this makes fuel preservation an efficient first step for shipowners that want measurable progress while evaluating longer-term options such as vessel upgrades, alternative fuels and retrofit investments. The company also linked the technology to the country’s broader direction on green shipping, emissions reduction and transport-sector decarbonization, including goals pursued by MARINA, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Climate Change Commission.
The presentation also cited Gold Standard methodology for demonstrating and quantifying energy-efficiency measures in shipping. ADERCO said fuel savings had been verified by ABS and RINA according to the Gold Standard methodology. For the bulk carrier project, a verification report cited in the presentation referred to 1,298.91 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emission reduction due to 3.25-percent lower fuel use, with findings discussed during a remote audit.
Industry adoption in the Philippines will still depend on vessel-specific trials, engine and class requirements, fuel management practices and documented savings over time. However, REURASIA said ADERCO gives local operators another option to assess as they work to reduce CO2 emissions, improve CII performance and manage fuel expenses without disrupting current fuel supply arrangements.
About Reurasia management corporation
REURASIA Management Corporation is a Makati-based company opening the Philippine market to ADERCO fuel preservation and treatment solutions for the maritime sector. The company is introducing ADERCO technology to support fuel efficiency, emissions reduction and practical decarbonization options for vessel operators in the Philippines.
by Ferry Bayu | Jul 1, 2026 | Business
As mobility companies continue to compete not only on vehicle deployment but also on platform efficiency, Carziqo is positioning technology as the foundation of its long-term value creation strategy.
Carziqo, an intelligent mobility platform focused on autonomous mobility, smart fleet operations, and connected service infrastructure, is building its business around a technology-driven model designed to support scalable operations, data-based decision-making, and long-term platform growth.
While the mobility sector has traditionally relied on asset ownership, vehicle availability, and market expansion, Carziqo is taking a broader approach. The company is emphasizing how software systems, operational data, fleet intelligence, and digital service tools can help create a more stable and efficient mobility ecosystem over time.
At the center of Carziqo’s strategy is the idea that mobility assets should not operate in isolation. Instead, each vehicle, service route, user interaction, and operational record can become part of a larger data network. Through this model, the platform can improve route planning, monitor vehicle performance, support fleet utilization, and provide a more structured operating environment for users and partners.
According to the company, this technology-centered approach is intended to help reduce operational uncertainty and improve platform consistency. By using intelligent systems to support fleet management, Carziqo aims to create a service model that is less dependent on manual coordination and more capable of adapting to different market conditions.
This direction reflects a wider shift in the mobility industry, where companies are increasingly being evaluated not only by the number of vehicles they operate, but by the strength of the digital infrastructure behind those vehicles. For emerging mobility platforms, long-term value is often linked to how well they can combine physical assets with software, automation, user data, and service reliability.
Carziqo’s platform strategy includes several key technology layers. These include digital fleet management, user account systems, operational monitoring, service coordination, and data-based support for mobility-related activities. Together, these systems are designed to help the company manage growth while maintaining operational visibility across different service areas.
The company also sees technology as a way to create a more connected relationship between users and mobility operations. Instead of treating users only as passengers or customers, Carziqo’s platform model allows users to interact with mobility services through digital tools, service portals, and structured participation mechanisms.
This platform-based structure may also support future expansion into different mobility categories, including autonomous delivery, executive mobility, fleet rental, and intelligent transportation services. By organizing these services under one technology framework, Carziqo aims to build a more flexible business model that can adapt to local demand and future market opportunities.
In the Philippines, where digital finance, mobile-first services, and app-based platforms continue to grow, Carziqo’s approach reflects the increasing importance of technology in transportation and mobility access. The country’s fast-growing digital economy provides an environment where platform-based services can reach users more efficiently, especially as consumers become more familiar with mobile applications, digital accounts, and online service management.
Carziqo’s long-term value strategy is also tied to operational transparency. Through centralized systems, the platform can organize service data, monitor asset activity, and support clearer communication with users. This is especially important for mobility platforms that need to build trust while scaling across different locations and service categories.
Industry observers have noted that the future of mobility will likely be shaped by companies that can combine physical deployment with intelligent systems. In this environment, vehicles alone may not be enough. The stronger competitive advantage may come from the platform that manages those vehicles, analyzes their performance, and connects them with users in a reliable and efficient way.
For Carziqo, technology is not simply a support function. It is the core infrastructure behind the company’s platform value. By focusing on digital systems, intelligent operations, and scalable service architecture, the company is seeking to build a mobility ecosystem that can generate value beyond short-term vehicle activity.
As the mobility industry continues to evolve, Carziqo’s strategy suggests that the next phase of platform competition may depend less on how many vehicles a company can deploy immediately, and more on how effectively it can use technology to create long-term operational strength.
With its focus on intelligent mobility infrastructure, Carziqo is positioning itself as part of a new generation of mobility platforms that view technology, data, and operational systems as the foundation for sustainable growth.
About Carziqo
Carziqo is an intelligent mobility technology platform focused on autonomous mobility, smart fleet operations, and connected service infrastructure. The company is building a technology-driven ecosystem that integrates digital fleet management, data-based operational support, and intelligent mobility services for selected global markets. Through its platform model, Carziqo aims to support the future development of autonomous transportation, smart mobility assets, and user-centered digital service systems. Its long-term strategy is centered on technology, operational efficiency, platform scalability, and sustainable mobility innovation. For more information, visit Carziqo’s official website at https://www.carziqo.com/
by Ferry Bayu | Jun 30, 2026 | Business
Ateneo Blue Nest’s Digital Marketing Accelerator Program successfully wrapped its run, and along with Keepital, the two are already looking ahead with a Startup Pavilion in the works to give Philippine startups an even bigger stage.
In a business landscape where visibility is everything, knowing how to be seen is just as important as having something worth showing. That’s exactly the gap that Ateneo Blue Nest’s Digital Marketing Accelerator Program set out to close.
Housed under the Ateneo Intellectual Property Office (AIPO) at Ateneo de Manila University, the Digital Marketing Accelerator Program was designed with a clear and urgent mission: to equip startup founders with the strategic and tactical digital marketing skills they need to compete, grow, and thrive in today’s hyper-connected marketplace. The program didn’t just teach theory, rather it immersed participants in hands-on workshops, real-world case studies, group consultations, and panel presentations across four comprehensive modules that covered everything from Social Media & Digital Marketing 101 to Growth Hacking.
At the helm of the program was Mr. Jason Domantay, a seasoned digital marketing veteran whose career spans executive producing and directing at ABS-CBN, leading video content at Yahoo! Southeast Asia, and founding Domantay Consulting, a public relations firm specializing in online reputation and crisis management.
As a proud partner, Keepital supported the program through targeted Meta advertising, feature articles, and crossposting across its platforms. On the ground, Ateneo Blue Nest was featured as a partner at the PhilSME Business Expo and the Smart City Convention Philippines 2026, putting the program in front of exactly the founders and business owners it was built for.
The momentum doesn’t stop here. Keepital and Ateneo Blue Nest are now setting their sights on something bigger: a dedicated Startup Pavilion that will give emerging businesses a physical stage at one of the Philippines’ most exciting up and coming trade events, the World of Consumer Electronics Expo.
The vision is simple but powerful: a curated exhibition space where tech-forward startups and young companies can showcase their products and services side by side, supported by Keepital’s branding, platform reach, and media mileage. For startups that have never had the bandwidth to exhibit at a major trade event, this pavilion changes the equation entirely.
More exciting announcements are coming soon, and the Blue Nest is just getting started.
Ready to Get Noticed?
Join the many ASEAN SMEs already taking advantage of this digital shift. Be discovered when buyers search. Turn visibility into real business.
Reach out today: as*@******al.com | sa******@******al.com | Schedule a meeting
Visit: www.keepital.com | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok
Join our community: B2B Business Networking
About KEEP Pte Ltd.
Keepital was established in 2013 and has now grown into Southeast Asia’s Leading Industrial B2B marketplace that facilitates connections between suppliers and buyers worldwide through our online platform. They stand out with their highly competitive pricing and offer a comprehensive range of services beyond just product listings. Their advertising options are designed for affordability and simplicity, featuring a one-time payment and low renewal fees for product and service suppliers on our online portal.
by Ferry Bayu | Jun 30, 2026 | Business
Tokyo, June 8, 2026 KDDI Corporation (Head Office: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Hiromichi Matsuda; hereinafter “KDDI”) and East Japan Railway Company (Head Office: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Yoichi Kise; hereinafter “JR East”) announced that, from June 9, 2026, the number of stations eligible for the “povo Data Oasis” service for users of the inbound overseas travelers eSIM service Japan SIM will be expanded. As a result, data top-ups will be available at a total of 83 stations, primarily within JR East service areas.
“povo Data Oasis” is a service that provides free mobile data for use with povo2.0 when users access a dedicated website from their smartphones at designated locations. Japan SIM users can receive 0.5GB of data per day at eligible stations, up to a maximum of 5GB per month (10 times in total).
Japan SIM can also be purchased through a dedicated link within Welcome Suica Mobile, a smartphone application provided by JR East for international visitors to Japan. The service enables travelers to establish a mobile connectivity environment smoothly both before and after arriving in Japan, supporting convenient railway travel, sightseeing, information searches, and other activities during their stay.
KDDI and JR East will continue working to enhance the travel experience of each visitor to Japan by providing more convenient and enriching services.
・Data allowance(validity period)
0.5GB(24 hours) per redemption
・Usage limit
Once per day, up to 10 times per month
・Availability period
December 11, 2025 — End date to be announced
Service details: https://povo.jp/japan-sim/service/povo_data_oasis/
■Eligible Users
Customers using Japan SIM
■Eligible Stations from June 9, 2026
A
Akihabara, Akita, Aomori, Asagaya, Asakusabashi, Atami
C
Chiba
E
Ebisu, Echigo-Yuzawa
F
Fukushima
G
GALA Yuzawa(*1), Gotanda
H
Hamamatsuchō, Haneda Airport Terminal 2 (Tokyo Monorail), Haneda Airport Terminal 3 (Tokyo Monorail), Harajuku, Higashi-Nakano
I
Ichigaya, Iidabashi, Iiyama, Ikebukuro
K
Kaihimmakuhari, Kamakura, Kanda, Karuizawa, Katsuta, Kawagoe, Kichijōji, Kinshichō, Kita-Kamakura, Kōenji, Komagome
M
Maihama, Meguro, Mejiro, Mito, Morioka
N
Nagano, Nakano, Narita, Narita Airport Terminal 1, Narita Airport Terminal 2 · 3, Niigata, Nikkō, Nippori, Nishi-Nippori, Nishi-Ogikubo
O
Ochanomizu, Odawara, Ogikubo, Okachimachi, Ōkubo, Ōme, Ōmiya, Ōsaki, Ōtsuka, Ōtsuki
R
Ryōgoku
S
Sendagaya, Sendai, Shibuya, Shimbashi, Shinagawa, Shinanomachi, Shinjuku, Shin-Ōkubo, Sugamo, Suidōbashi
T
Tabata, Takadanobaba, Takanawa Gateway, Takao, Takasaki, Tamachi, Tōkyō
U
Ueno, Uguisudani, Utsunomiya
Y
Yamagata, Yokohama, Yotsuya, Yoyogi, Yūrakuchō
(*1) As a general rule, GALA Yuzawa Station operates only when Shinkansen services are running to the station.
■How to Receive Data
Users can receive data by accessing the dedicated website from the corresponding station.
※For safety reasons, smartphone use while walking is dangerous. Please stop in a safe location before using a smartphone.
■About Japan SIM
Japan SIM is a service for international visitors to Japan provided through povo2.0. Like povo2.0, it operates on the reliable au network, providing access to au’s high-speed 5G connectivity. Customers can choose from 10 topping plans, including fixed-data plans and unlimited-data plans, according to their individual needs.
Japan SIM details: https://povo.jp/japan-sim/en/agreement/
■About povo Data Oasis
“povo Data Oasis” is a service offered through povo2.0 that provides free mobile data. Users can easily top up data by accessing a dedicated website from their smartphones at designated locations.
■About Welcome Suica Mobile
Welcome Suica Mobile is an application provided by JR East that enables international visitors to issue and top up a suica entirely through the app before or after entering Japan, without visiting a ticket counter or ticket machine. The app can be used for railway and bus transportation as well as shopping.
Welcome Suica Mobile website: https://www.jreast.co.jp/multi/welcomesuicamobile/
※Company and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
※Information contained in this release is current as of the date of announcement.
About KDDI Digital Life Corporation
Our company was established in November 2020 with the ambition of pioneering a new future for mobile communications. Since September of the following year, we have been operating povo 2.0, the third mobile brand under KDDI, following au and UQ. Our vision is to enrich our customers’ lifestyles by delivering innovative and forward-thinking communication services.
This press release has also been published on VRITIMES.
by Ferry Bayu | Jun 30, 2026 | Business
Independent research reveals how the Philippines’ leading enterprises are transforming through artificial intelligence and what separates AI leaders from the rest.
CALAPAN, Philippines, June 28, 2026 – AI Implementation and Visibility Expert Cyrus Santiago has released the Philippine Enterprise AI Benchmark Report 2026: Mid-Year Edition, an independent research publication providing one of the most comprehensive analyses of enterprise artificial intelligence adoption across the Philippines’ leading brands.
Published with a permanent Digital Object Identifier (DOI) through Zenodo, the report examines how major organizations in banking, telecommunications, retail, consumer services, utilities, aviation, and diversified conglomerates are implementing AI to improve operations, strengthen governance, accelerate innovation, and build competitive advantage.
Drawing on publicly available annual reports, corporate disclosures, government publications, technology vendor case studies, academic research, and reputable news sources, the report offers an evidence-based benchmark of enterprise AI maturity within the Philippine market.
One of the report’s central findings is that artificial intelligence has moved beyond experimentation.
“The AI Visibility Benchmark of the Top 100 Philippine Brands reveals a corporate landscape undergoing a profound, systemic technological metamorphosis. The era of categorizing Artificial Intelligence as a peripheral, experimental initiative has definitively closed. For the nation’s leading banks, telecommunications providers, retail conglomerates, and utility operators, AI has become the foundational engine driving operational resilience, risk management, and hyper-personalized market engagement.”
The report also concludes that enterprise AI adoption is creating a widening competitive divide.
“However, the realization of this technology is highly stratified, giving rise to a definitive two-tier digital economy. Agile, digitally mature organizations are rapidly pulling away from legacy entities that remain mired in pilot purgatory due to talent shortages and inflexible data architectures.”
According to the research, the organizations leading AI adoption are distinguished not simply by their investment in AI technologies, but by their investment in modern data infrastructure and workforce capability.
“The brands that have successfully scaled AI to production, such as Maya with its predictive fraud sequence embeddings, PLDT with its democratization of GPUaaS infrastructure, and UnionBank with its democratized GenAI data querying, have achieved this not merely by purchasing software, but by fundamentally rebuilding their underlying data architectures and aggressively upskilling their human capital.”
Santiago believes these findings reflect a broader shift occurring across enterprise technology.
“AI is no longer an innovation initiative that organizations can afford to postpone. It is becoming core business infrastructure. Companies that combine strong data foundations, responsible governance, AI implementation, and workforce readiness will define the next generation of market leaders.”
The report further concludes that long-term competitiveness will depend on balancing technological advancement with responsible governance.
“Looking forward, the sustained success and global competitiveness of the Philippine corporate sector will hinge upon the delicate orchestration of these technologies. The fusion of sophisticated algorithmic software with robust sovereign physical infrastructure, balanced by strict ethical governance frameworks and a resolute commitment to human-centric service, will dictate the commercial hierarchy of the Philippine market over the coming decade.”
Beyond benchmarking enterprise adoption, the publication is intended to serve as a strategic resource for executives, policymakers, researchers, educators, technology providers, investors, and business leaders seeking a comprehensive understanding of the Philippine AI landscape.
As an AI Implementation and Visibility Expert, Cyrus Santiago specializes in helping organizations successfully implement artificial intelligence while ensuring they remain discoverable in the emerging era of AI-powered search, answer engines, and generative AI. His work spans AI strategy, enterprise implementation, AI visibility, digital transformation, search optimization, automation, and emerging technologies. Through his research and consulting, he helps organizations bridge the gap between adopting AI and creating measurable business value.
The Philippine Enterprise AI Benchmark Report 2026: Mid-Year Edition is freely available through Zenodo and may be cited by researchers, media organizations, educational institutions, businesses, and government agencies.
Read the report:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20969827
About Cyrus Santiago
About Cyrus Santiago
Cyrus Santiago is an AI Implementation and Visibility Expert, researcher, author, software developer, and digital strategist. His work focuses on enterprise AI implementation, AI visibility, digital transformation, automation, search optimization for AI-powered search, and emerging technology strategy. He helps organizations leverage artificial intelligence to improve operational performance, strengthen digital competitiveness, and prepare for the future of AI-driven business.
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