by Ferry Bayu | Oct 23, 2026 | Business
ESET is refining its B2B portfolio by adding a new AI Security module to the ESET PROTECT Platform.
ESET, a global leader in cybersecurity, is refining its B2B portfolio by adding a new AI Security module to the ESET PROTECT Platform. By helping organizations protect against threats across the AI ecosystem, ESET enables businesses to adopt AI with greater confidence through the following capabilities:
- AI Agent Security: A dedicated security layer that protects organizations using autonomous AI agents from malicious AI components, expanding defenses into the AI agent ecosystem to maintain AI productivity without compromising security.
- AI Behavioral Monitoring: A continuous monitoring capability that tracks the behavior of autonomous AI agents. This will detect and flag suspicious actions to help reduce risk, strengthen oversight of AI agent operations, and prevent suspicious AI behavior from turning into a security incident.
The cybersecurity landscape is being reshaped by AI. As employees adopt AI tools, developers embrace coding assistants, and organizations integrate AI agents and AI-driven workflows, a new attack surface is emerging. ESET is already seeing this shift firsthand. Its researchers have previously uncovered AI-enabled threats such as PromptLockand PromptSpy, while detecting thousands of malicious agentic AI skills. As AI accelerates innovation, it is also accelerating risk, requiring a new approach to cyber resilience.
“AI is transforming the way businesses operate, innovate and grow, but it is also reshaping the cybersecurity landscape at an extraordinary pace. Across APAC, organizations are increasingly looking for security that can keep pace with this change while giving them the confidence to embrace new technologies. For us, cybersecurity is not only about responding to threats; it is about enabling progress securely. ESET’s updated B2B portfolio, supported by an additional €40 million investment in AI in 2026, reflects our commitment to helping organizations strengthen their resilience, navigate emerging AI-driven risks and ensure that security remains a foundation for innovation,” said Parvinder Walia, President of the APAC Region, ESET.
ESET is also strengthening its core AI detection technologies, which have been decades in development, by investing in security-first AI foundations designed specifically for cybersecurity. These includeESET LiveCortex, a cross-perimeter correlation and response engine included in the ESET PROTECT Platform.
Similarly, ESET AI Advisor is being renamed to ESET LiveAI to better reflect its place in the company’s core product portfolio and its new capability to provide live incident remediation context.
About B1G2 Technologies International Inc.
B1G2 Technologies is the exclusive distributor of ESET products in the Philippines. With a focus on delivering world-class cybersecurity solutions, B1G2 Technologies offers cybersecurity solutions and services, local support, and partner enablement to help businesses secure their digital operations. Its portfolio includes SOC as a Service, Threat Sweeping, Governance and Risk Management, and Cybersecurity Posture Improvement programs—empowering businesses to secure their digital transformation journey. For more information, visit our website or follow our LinkedIn and Facebook page.
by Ferry Bayu | Oct 23, 2026 | Business
Cebuana Lhuillier is expanding services across its nationwide branch network by introducing Cash Accepting Machines (CAMS), giving customers more ways to complete routine financial transactions in locations they already know and trust.
Developed in partnership with ECPay, CAMS enables customers to cash in, load mobile phones, pay bills, and top up, adding technology-enabled self-service options to the Cebuana Lhuillier branch experience.
“Our goal is to make every interaction with Cebuana Lhuillier as convenient and seamless as possible. CAMS gives our customers more choice in how they complete everyday transactions while allowing us to bring practical, technology-enabled services closer to the communities we serve. It is another step in making financial services more accessible, relevant, and responsive to the needs of our customers,” said Cebuana Lhuillier President and CEO Jean Henri Lhuillier.
The initiative builds on Cebuana Lhuillier’s more than 3,500 branches nationwide, enabling the company to introduce additional services within a physical network that reaches millions of Filipinos. By bringing more capabilities into its branches, customers can meet more financial needs with more ease.
“This is how we see innovation working at the branch level, using technology to expand what customers can access while preserving the reach and familiarity of Cebuana Lhuillier. CAMS allows us to make our branches more responsive to how customers want to transact today,” said Cebuana Lhuillier Senior Executive Vice President, Philippe Andre Lhuillier.
CAMS complements the range of financial services already available through Cebuana Lhuillier’s branches, from remittance and pawning to bill payment and other everyday financial needs. Adding self-service capabilities gives customers another way to complete selected transactions while keeping branch assistance within reach.
The initiative reflects Cebuana Lhuillier’s broader approach to innovation: bringing practical technology into its extensive physical network to make financial services more accessible, relevant, and easier to use.
As customer needs continue to evolve, Cebuana Lhuillier is also evolving how Filipinos experience its branches, turning familiar locations into more versatile touchpoints for everyday financial needs.
by Ferry Bayu | Oct 22, 2026 | Business
i4C.PH 2026 runs November 3 to 5 at the SMX Convention Center, Clark, Pampanga. It brings together students, professionals, and leaders across sectors to build integrated thinking across physical security, disaster risk, and cybersecurity. The Youth Resilience Lab, open to up to 200 student delegates, runs alongside senior-level simulations and workshops, placing every generation in the same learning environment. Registration and details are found at the end of this article.
The Philippines sits at a convergence of pressures that no single profession fully owns. Climate events grow heavier each decade. Digital threats reach further into daily life. Physical infrastructure, public health, and community safety are increasingly tied together in ways that weren’t true a generation ago. When one system strains, others tend to follow. Students, working professionals, community leaders, and families across the country will all spend years inside that reality, and how they navigate it will depend in part on whether the thinking they carry is broad enough to match it.
Holistic resilience is the capacity to read a situation across its physical, digital, and institutional dimensions and respond in a way that accounts for all of them, and it can take root at any stage of life, in any kind of work. The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, which the Philippines has committed to, calls explicitly for investing in youth knowledge and skills as a foundation for long-term risk reduction. UNESCO’s work on Education for Sustainable Development documents that risk literacy, when woven into learning early, helps people apply connected thinking to real problems throughout their lives. Both point to a measurable difference in how communities recover when more of their members think this way.
The gap between that goal and current practice remains real. Disaster preparedness, cybersecurity, and physical safety tend to be treated as separate subjects when they appear in formal education at all. The crises the Philippines faces rarely stay within a single category. A typhoon disrupts power. A power disruption creates vulnerabilities in communications. Communication failures slow emergency response. The chain moves quickly, and it crosses every professional boundary.
Addressing that gap requires more than awareness. It requires spaces where people across sectors and generations practice integrated thinking together, where a student, a crisis manager, and a community leader work through the same problem and leave with something they can use.
Education that treats these connections as the starting point is what gradually shifts that pattern. Students who develop that habit carry it into every role they take on, and professionals who train within the same framework bring it into organizations and institutions. The effect spreads outward, and it takes root most durably when learning happens across generations in the same room.
i4C.PH 2026, taking place November 3 to 5 at the SMX Convention Center, Clark, Pampanga, is built around that kind of cross-domain learning. The Youth Resilience Lab gathers up to 200 student delegates for two days of focused work on AI safety, digital trust, misinformation, and Design Thinking, within a framework that connects physical safety, disaster preparedness, cybersecurity, technology, and communication as a single system. Students apply the Four I’s and Four C’s as a practical checklist for evaluating their own solutions. The broader platform convenes senior professionals from energy, security, tourism, and crisis management, working through live simulation environments to develop shared operational frameworks. Students and experienced practitioners are in the same space, working on problems that concern them both.
Building resilient thinking across the Philippines takes years and happens across many kinds of spaces. i4C.PH 2026 is one of them. Click here to register now or scan the QR Code above. Or visit the i4C.PH Website to learn more. We hope to see you there.
by Ferry Bayu | Oct 22, 2026 | Business
FAWCAR JOYEE will officially launch the S04, S08, and N09 in Manila on October 22, 2026, marking an important milestone in its expansion in the Philippine market. The three models target diverse family mobility needs, spanning an all-electric urban SUV, a full-size hybrid SUV, and a flagship B+ segment coupe.
FAWCAR’s mid-to-high-end new energy vehicle brand, JOYEE, is set to take an important step in its overseas expansion. On October 22, three key models — the JOYEE S04, S08, and N09 — will officially debut in Manila, bringing a new, all-scenario family mobility experience to Filipino consumers.
With over 65 million vehicles produced and sold, FAW has built decades of experience in automotive manufacturing. As FAW’s global mobility brand, FAWCAR inherits FAW Group’s more than 70 years of automotive expertise and technological innovation. Today, FAWCAR operates two major brands: BESTUNE, a mid-to-high-end mainstream fuel vehicle brand, and JOYEE, a mid-to-high-end new energy vehicle brand. Together, they form a comprehensive powertrain portfolio covering fuel, pure electric, and hybrid technologies, with cumulative production and sales exceeding 2.2 million units.
FAWCAR has been deeply engaged in the Philippine market for years, optimizing its products to adapt to local conditions— including high temperatures, heavy rainfall, urban congestion, and diverse road environments. Through comprehensive localization improvements, FAWCAR delivers reliable quality, strong performance, and thoughtful features tailored to Filipino consumers’ daily commuting, family trips, and long-distance cross-island journeys.
JOYEE S04: An Urban Pure Electric SUV Designed for Young Families
As JOYEE’s global debut model, the JOYEE S04 Pure Electric Urban SUV represents the brand’s first step into the global market. Featuring three key advantages and five standout strengths within its segment, the S04 is designed for urban commuting and weekend getaways.
The S04 delivers outstanding adaptability for the Philippine tropical climate with three key highlights: a 0.248Cd ultra-low drag coefficient, a standard panoramic glass roof with heat insulation, and an innovative high-polymer carbon nano-coated battery technology.
With a 565km pure electric driving range, an ultra-low energy consumption of 11.8kWh per 100km, and a 2,750mm long wheelbase, the S04 provides an ideal balance of efficiency, spaciousness, and comfort. Combined with a high-strength steel body structure and 2,000MPa ultra-high-strength door anti-collision beams, the S04 delivers comprehensive upgrades in design, range, space, and safety—making it an ideal choice for urban family EV users.
JOYEE S08: A Full-size Hybrid SUV for Larger Families
The JOYEE S08 full-size hybrid SUV is positioned as a versatile solution for family mobility. Equipped with a 1.5T dedicated hybrid engine featuring advanced thermal efficiency, the S08 has received multiple industry recognitions for its engine, hybrid platform, body structure, and chassis.
Offering a 210km pure electric range and a 1,555km combined range, the S08 delivers both cost-efficient daily driving and worry-free long-distance travel. With fuel consumption as low as 3.9L/100km under low battery conditions, it provides outstanding efficiency for families with diverse mobility needs.
Supported by a 9-horizontal and 7-vertical reinforced body structure, an IP68-rated waterproof battery system, and bio-based zero-formaldehyde seats, the S08 delivers a combination of energy efficiency, powerful performance, safety protection, and a healthier cabin environment—designed to support the diverse travel needs of larger families.
JOYEE N09: A Premium Flagship Coupe Delivering Premium Family Mobility
Positioned as a B+ flagship coupe, the JOYEE N09 is the premium highlight of this launch, offering both pure electric and range-extended power options.
Featuring six core advantages within its segment, the N09 is equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295P intelligent cockpit platform, a 23-speaker Dolby Atmos immersive audio system, frameless power doors, and nine-airbag comprehensive protection.
Featuring an 800V high-voltage platform, 6C ultra-fast charging and 0–100km/h acceleration in 6.4 seconds, the N09 balances premium quality, dynamic performance, and everyday practicality. Recognized with multiple international design awards, it combines global design aesthetics with advanced technologies to meet the needs of consumers seeking a premium mobility experience.
The debut of these three new models represents a significant milestone in FAWCAR’s long-term development in the Philippine market while also marking an important step in the brand’s global expansion journey.
With the launch event just one week away, stay tuned for the arrival of JOYEE!
About FAWCAR
Authorized Distributor: Multifortune Motors Incorporated Add: 883 Quezon Ave. Quezon City Tel: +63 2 8516 1930
This press release has also been published on VRITIMES.
by Ferry Bayu | Oct 21, 2026 | Business
BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental, 16 OCTOBER 2026 — Social media personality and Casino Plus brand advocate Zeinab Harake Parks brought star power to Bacolod’s MassKara Festival 2026 on Friday, joining the highly anticipated Electric Float Parade in the city where hundreds of cheering festivalgoers gathered for an evening of spectacle, entertainment, and celebration.
Casino Plus, one of the country’s leading responsible digital entertainment platforms licensed by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), served as the official presenter and a major sponsor of this year’s festivities. The gaming platform made a striking impression with its 21-foot emerald-and-gold float, which illuminated the parade route with an elaborate display of lights and festive design.
At the center of the showpiece was a jeweled masquerade mask featuring Whimsy, the official Casino Plus mascot. Neon-lit scrollwork and glowing mask motifs accentuated the float’s design, creating a dazzling spectacle against the night sky.
Riding on the float’s upper deck, Zeinab greeted cheering spectators and waved to tourists and Bacolodnons at Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC) grounds, joining the city’s vibrant celebration of smiles, culture, and community spirit.
Daniella Louisse Merelos, the first-ever Miss Casino Plus Bacolod, also joined the parade along with Zeinab, drawing cheers from the crowd as they waved to festivalgoers.
Named among the Top 5 finalists of Miss Bacolod MassKara, Merelos said the title is about more than glamour, calling it a chance to connect with people and take part in meaningful community experiences.
‘“MassKara is more than just a festival. It is an opportunity to bring people together, share stories, and create meaningful connections. I’m excited to experience the diversity, joy, and vibrant spirit that make Bacolod unique,” Merelos said in an earlier interview with Casino Plus.
The 25-year-old added that she looks forward to joining more Casino Plus activities throughout the festival, where she can meet people from different backgrounds and cultures.
MassKara Festival’s most anticipated highlight
Hundreds of Bacolodnons and tourists lined up in the Megaworld Upper East area as early as 4 p.m. to witness the electric float parade, as the event is considered one of the most anticipated highlights of MassKara Festival.
Among them was Audi Johnson, who set up their foldable chairs for one of the most anticipated highlights in MassKara. Audi said his 3-year-old daughter personally wanted to see the lights.
“Last year, ‘dun kami nakapuwesto sa dulo, hindi convenient kasi ‘di kami makapuwesto. Sa side lang ng kalsada. Mas kampante kami dito,” said Audi, who was accompanied by his wife. Asked what float he was most excited to see, he said, “Siyempre ‘yung Casino Plus!”
Meanwhile, Marvin Cadapan, a tourist from Makati, said he was starstruck when he saw Zeinab, saying the “Reyna ng Good Vibes” greeted her with a flying kiss when Casino Plus’ float went by.
Cadapan said watching the floats in the parade was one of his favorite highlights for MassKara, noting this is his first time attending the festivities.
“Sobrang saya kasi na-notice ako ni Zeinab [despite] so many people kanina. Very colorful ang float ng Casino Plus and malawak siya so kitang-kita namin ‘yung float ni Zeinab,” he said.
‘Arat na!’ Zeinab Celebrates with Bacolodnons
The festivities continued at Lacson Street during Casino Plus’ takeover, where Zeinab joined the MassKara celebration and engaged with festivalgoers in an evening of music, entertainment, and interactive activities.
Casino Plus also treated attendees to exciting prizes, including JBL speakers, an iPad, and other giveaways, adding to the festive atmosphere and giving participants more opportunities to take home memorable prizes.
Beyond the entertainment, the MassKara Festival remains an important platform for promoting Bacolod’s cultural identity and supporting local livelihoods.
The Bacolod Gugma Foundation underscored the festival’s wider economic impact, noting that the influx of visitors generates business for hotels, restaurants, transport providers, local vendors, artists, performers, mask makers, costume designers, production crews, and small businesses.
“When visitors come to Bacolod, they support hotels, restaurants, transportation providers, local vendors, artists, performers, mask makers, costume designers, production workers, and small businesses,” Festival Director Rodney Mitz Ascalon said.
Ascalon explained that the festival’s message, “Making MassKara Matter,” reflects its commitment to creating a positive impact beyond the celebration itself.
“We want the festival to have a positive impact beyond the event venues. We want the smile to reach the communities and the people who work behind the celebration,” he added.
Through its participation in MassKara Festival 2026, Casino Plus continues to bring entertainment and community engagement to one of the country’s most celebrated regional festivals, joining Bacolod in honoring the creativity, resilience, and joyful spirit that define the City of Smiles.
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 PAGCOR-licensed online casino platform in the Philippines, providing secure, regulated, and responsible online gaming experiences for Filipino players. 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 | Oct 21, 2026 | Business
Island Resort Club Tour Services, Inc. (IRC) has opened bookings for its Winter 2026–2027 “Best of Seoul” tour package via Korean Air, featuring Elysian Ski Resort, the Gwanghwamun Lantern Festival, and Michelin-recognized dining. The package includes a guaranteed Korean E-Group visa, a free unlimited data eSIM per family, and a Korean Air full-service carrier upgrade at no extra cost. Pricing starts at USD 599 (Plus) and USD 688 (Premium), with departures running from December 2026 through February 2027.
Snow, Lantern Lights, and Samgyetang:Why Winter Is the Best Time to Fall in Love With Seoul
Picture this: you step off the gondola at Elysian Ski Resort, cheeks pink from the cold, snow crunching under your boots for maybe the first time in your life. By nightfall, you’re wrapped in a blanket along the Cheonggyecheon stream, watching thousands of lanterns glow against the dark and in between, there’s a steaming bowl of Samgyetang waiting to warm you back up.
That’s the kind of trip Island Resort Club Tour Services, Inc. (IRC) has built into its Winter 2026–2027 ‘Best of Seoul’ package, now open for booking through the Join Enjoy Korea platform, flying via Korean Air in partnership with the Seoul Tourism Organization and Go! Seoul. And this time, the trip comes with more than just a packed itinerary a guaranteed E-Group visa, a free unlimited eSIM for the whole family, and Michelin-recognized dining are all part of the package.
A Season That Only Comes Once a Year
Korea in winter isn’t just cold it’s a completely different country than the one you’d see in spring or summer. Snow blankets the mountains, the city lights feel warmer against the dark, and entire streets turn into open-air lantern displays. This is the trip for travelers who’ve always wanted to touch real snow, try skiing for the first time, or simply see Seoul wrapped in its most magical season.
What Four Days in Winter Seoul Actually Looks Like
The journey starts the moment you land: a short ferry ride to Nami Island, where snow-dusted tree-lined paths look straight out of a K-drama, followed by an afternoon at Elysian Ski Resort for travelers to ski, snowboard, or just play in the snow (equipment rental available; Soyangang Skywalk steps in as a scenic alternative if the slopes are closed).
Day two is where Seoul’s winter magic really shows off from the Starfield Byeolmadang Library’s soaring bookshelves to the 63 Sky Picnic rooftop observatory, before ending the night at the glowing Gwanghwamun Lantern Festival. For those who want to go further, an optional Han River cruise with DIY ramyeon at River Park adds a cozy, only-in-winter twist to the evening.
The final day is for soaking it all in one last time — Hongdae’s street energy, the view from N Seoul Tower, and a hands-on DIY kimbap session before heading home.
Choose How You Want to Spend Day Three
Travelers who want a fuller itinerary can pick Best of Seoul Premium, which includes a guided Day 3 to Everland and Starfield Library. Those who’d rather sleep in, shop, or wander on their own can go with Best of Seoul Plus, which leaves Day 3 open with the same Everland, available as an optional add-on for groups of 10 or more (USD 100 per person).
What Makes This Package More Than Just a Tour?
Beyond the itinerary, this package bundles in a handful of perks that travelers would normally have to arrange or pay for on their own:
• Guaranteed Korean E-Group Visa approval secured as part of the group application, taking the uncertainty out of one of the most stressful parts of planning a Korea trip.
• Free Unlimited Data eSIM per Family stay connected for maps, translation apps, and sharing the trip in real time, at no extra cost.
• Michelin-Recognized Dining meals featuring a restaurant honored for 7 consecutive years by the Michelin Guide.
• Korean Air flying on Korean Air’s full-service carrier, at the same regular package price.
• Superior Baggage Allowance 23kg checked plus 10kg hand-carry, more than enough room for winter layers and pasalubong.
• Gourmet In-Flight Meals included on both legs of the Korean Air flight.
What Will It Cost You?
Rates depend on when you fly book earlier in the season for the lowest price:
Departure Dates:
Regular Travel: Dec 2–6, Dec 9–13, Jan 13–17, Jan 20–24, Feb 17–21, Feb 24–28
Plus USD 599 / Premium USD 688
Peak Season: Dec 16–20, Jan 6–10, Jan 27–31
Plus USD 699 / Premium USD 788
Super Peak Season: Dec 23–27, Dec 30–Jan 3, Feb 3–7, Feb 10–14
Plus USD 799 / Premium USD 888
Every package already covers round-trip Korean Air flights, hotel stays, daily meals, transfers, guided tours, an English-speaking guide, entrance fees in the itinerary, travel insurance (up to 75 years old), and daily bottled water so the only things to budget separately are the guide’s tip (USD 5/pax/day), a single supplement if traveling solo (PHP 10,000), the visa fee (PHP 1,000), Philippine travel tax (PHP 1,620), and a fuel surcharge (USD 50, subject to change).
“Winter is one of our most requested seasons because it gives travelers something they simply can’t get any other time of year real snow, skiing, and Seoul at its most beautiful,” said Hyok Choi, CEO of Island Resort Club. “We built this package so our guests could experience all of that without having to plan a single detail themselves.”
About Island Resort Club Tour Services, Inc.
Established in the Philippines in 2002, Island Resort Club Tour Services, Inc. (IRC) is a premier MICE and destination management specialist with a proven track record in orchestrating high-level, bilateral governmental and corporate events adhering to rigorous state-level protocol standards. Notably, IRC spearheaded local operational management for the Korea-Philippines Business Forum, held on the occasion of the South Korean President’s state visit to the Philippines to commemorate the 77th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
IRC is a fully accredited travel agency licensed in the Philippines, South Korea, and Cuba, and is officially designated by the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Korea to process Korean electronic visas (e-visas). Through its flagship platform, “Join Enjoy,” IRC continues to lead bilateral cultural exchange, tourism, and business connectivity between the Philippines and South Korea.
You must be logged in to post a comment.