by Ferry Bayu | Oct 7, 2026 | Business
The Cebuana Lhuillier-backed RP Blu Girls kept their historic medal hopes alive at the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, defeating Hong Kong, China, 9-3, on October 2 at the Anjo Softball Ground. The victory puts the Filipinas in position to battle Chinese Taipei for the bronze medal on October 3, giving the national team another opportunity to secure its first-ever Asian Games softball medal. The Philippines has finished fourth in each of the previous three editions of the Games.
Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines (ASAPHIL) President and Cebuana Lhuillier President and CEO Jean Henri Lhuillier praised the Blu Girls for keeping their medal dream alive and continuing to fight after the setback against China. “This is the opportunity we have been working and fighting for. The Blu Girls have shown tremendous resilience throughout this tournament, and now they have the chance to make history for Philippine softball. We know Chinese Taipei will be a tough opponent, but I believe in this team’s heart, preparation, and determination. We are behind them all the way as they give everything they have for that historic medal and for the country,” Lhuillier said.
The Blu Girls generated plenty of offense against Hong Kong, finishing with 10 hits. Ma. Angelu Gabriel led the way with three hits, an RBI, and two runs in four at-bats, while Roma Jane Cruz delivered a key performance with two hits and a team-high three RBIs. Reyae Mae Villamin drove in two runs, while Nicole Adra Hammoude and Skylynne Kopia Ellazar each drove in one run. Team captain Ma. Charlotte Sales scored twice, with Alyssa Marie Daniell, Mea Tubongbanua, Mylia Isabel Perez, and Villamin also crossing home plate.
Royevel Palma anchored the Philippines in the circle with six scoreless innings, limiting Hong Kong to four hits while striking out three without issuing a walk. Glory Alonzo entered in the seventh, with Hong Kong managing three runs, before Mary Joy Alpitche recorded the final out with a strikeout to secure the 9-3 victory.
The win also provided an immediate response to the Blu Girls’ 7-0 loss to the People’s Republic of China on October 1. The defeat snapped the Philippines’ three-game winning streak against Korea, Thailand, and Singapore and ended its bid for a place in the gold-medal game, but the team remained in contention for a spot in the bronze-medal playoff.
The Blu Girls now turn their attention to Chinese Taipei on October 3, with a bronze medal and a chance to make Philippine softball history on the line. The matchup offers a chance for redemption after the Filipinas fell to Chinese Taipei, 10-1, earlier in the preliminary round. More importantly, a victory would finally push the Philippines onto the Asian Games podium after three consecutive fourth-place finishes in 2014, 2018, and 2022.
by Ferry Bayu | Oct 6, 2026 | Business
The Cebuana Lhuillier-backed RP Blu Girls capped a hard-fought campaign at the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, finishing fourth overall after falling to Chinese Taipei, 12-2, in the battle for bronze on October 3 at the Anjo Softball Ground. While the Filipinas narrowly missed a place on the podium, their run saw them battle through early setbacks, string together crucial victories and fight their way into medal contention.
Chinese Taipei established control early, scoring four runs in the opening inning before adding eight in the second. The Blu Girls refused to go quietly, responding with two runs in the third inning. Nicole Adra Hammoude delivered both RBIs, recording a hit and scoring once, while Mylia Isabel Perez also crossed home plate. Ma. Angelu Gabriel and Reyae Mae Villamin added a hit apiece as the Philippines finished with four hits against Chinese Taipei’s 13.
Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines (ASAPHIL) President and Cebuana Lhuillier President and CEO Jean Henri Lhuillier commended the national team for the fight and determination it showed throughout the Games. “Of course, we wanted to see the Blu Girls come home with a medal, but this campaign gave us many reasons to be proud. They faced some of the strongest teams in Asia, fought their way back after a difficult start, and never stopped competing for the flag. That resilience is what defines this team. We will continue to support them, build on everything we learned here, and keep working toward the day Philippine softball finally reaches that Asian Games podium,” Lhuillier said.
The bronze medal game brought an end to a campaign marked by resilience from the Filipinas. After opening with difficult losses to Japan and Chinese Taipei, the Blu Girls responded with three straight victories, beating Korea, 7-3, blanking Thailand, 7-0, and dominating Singapore, 10-0. A 7-0 setback against eventual finalist China followed, but the Philippines stayed in the medal hunt and defeated Hong Kong, China, 9-3, to earn its shot at bronze.
Japan ultimately claimed the women’s softball gold medal after defeating the People’s Republic of China, 7-0, in the championship game later on October 3 at the Anjo Softball Ground. The result gave Japan the top spot on the podium, while China settled for the silver medal and Chinese Taipei secured bronze following its victory over the Philippines.
With another high-level international campaign behind them, the Blu Girls leave the Games with valuable experience to build on as they continue their pursuit of a breakthrough medal for Philippine softball.
by Ferry Bayu | Oct 6, 2026 | Business
MOLD Manila officially announces the opening of its Surgical Wing following its first procedure in July 2026, expanding the clinic beyond minimally invasive treatments to include cosmetic surgery within its growing aesthetic practice.
QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES — MOLD Manila has officially opened its Surgical Wing, expanding the clinic’s services to include cosmetic surgery alongside its established portfolio of minimally invasive aesthetic treatments and evidence-based skincare.
The expansion marks a significant development for MOLD Manila as it builds a more comprehensive approach to aesthetic care. Rather than treating surgery and non-surgical aesthetics as separate categories, the Surgical Wing allows the clinic to offer patients a broader spectrum of treatment options based on their anatomy, concerns, goals, and the level of intervention appropriate for them.
MOLD Manila completed its first surgical procedure in July 2026: a Gore-Tex structural rhinoplasty performed at the clinic’s new surgical facility. The procedure marked the beginning of the Surgical Wing’s operations and the clinic’s formal entry into surgical aesthetic care.
The Surgical Wing is headed by cosmetic surgeon Dr. Donna Borres Eramis, who works alongside MOLD Manila’s clinical team as the practice expands its surgical capabilities.
For MOLD Manila, the expansion is intended to give patients more considered options rather than positioning surgery as the automatic next step in aesthetic treatment.
The clinic has built its practice around treatments designed to enhance or preserve a patient’s existing features, with an emphasis on individualized treatment planning and natural-looking outcomes. Adding surgical services extends that philosophy to patients whose goals may require structural changes that cannot be achieved through minimally invasive treatments alone.
This distinction is increasingly relevant as aesthetic medicine continues to offer more ways to address similar concerns. Energy-based devices, injectables, skin treatments, and surgery may each have a role, but they are not interchangeable. The appropriate approach depends on what a patient wants to change, their anatomy, and what can realistically be achieved through each type of treatment.
With the Surgical Wing now operational, MOLD Manila can assess those options within a broader continuum of aesthetic care—from skincare and non-invasive treatments to injectables, minimally invasive procedures, and cosmetic surgery.
The expansion also reflects MOLD Manila’s continued development as an aesthetic practice in Quezon City. As the clinic grows, its focus remains on personalized patient care, appropriate treatment selection, and outcomes designed to complement rather than fundamentally change the individual.
Patients interested in surgical procedures will undergo consultation and assessment before treatment to determine suitability, discuss realistic outcomes, and understand the procedure, recovery process, and associated considerations.
The opening of the Surgical Wing represents the next stage of MOLD Manila’s growth: expanding what the clinic can offer while maintaining the same principle that has shaped its approach to aesthetics—choosing the level of intervention according to the patient, rather than the trend.
About MOLD Manila
MOLD Manila is a premium, clinician-led aesthetic clinic based in Quezon City, Philippines. Known for its technology-driven, non-surgical treatments and personalized care, the clinic specializes in skin rejuvenation, non-invasive contouring, laser treatments, and IV wellness therapies. MOLD Manila is committed to education-first, results-driven aesthetics designed for real Filipino skin.
This press release has also been published on VRITIMES.
by Ferry Bayu | Oct 6, 2026 | Business
PHOTO CAPTION: Ambassador Philippe J. Lhuillier, along with Philippine Consular Officers and representatives of Attached Agencies, discussed strategic priorities and areas of cooperation for 2027.
Strengthening coordination among Philippine representatives, the Philippine Embassy in Madrid, led by Ambassador for Spain and Andorra H.E. Philippe J. Lhuillier, convened its Annual Consultations with Philippine Consular Officers, bringing together seven Honorary Consular Officers, Attached Agencies, and the Philippine Consulate General in Barcelona.
The consultation focused on aligning priorities and strengthening cooperation ahead of the Philippines-Spain 80th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations in 2027. Discussions covered consular policies, best practices, Filipino community concerns, and strategic planning for the anniversary.
Ambassador Lhuillier encouraged the Consular Officers to “take an active role in deepening and expanding cooperation between the Philippines and Spain to establish sustainable partnerships, concrete programs, and enduring relationships that can continue beyond 2027.”
Potential areas for collaboration included the Maritime and Blue Economy, Renewable Energy, Innovation, Heritage and Culture, Digital Economy, Agriculture and Food Innovation, Eco-tourism, Marine Biodiversity, and Sustainable Tourism.
Representatives from Migrant Workers Office (MWO), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC), the Office of the Defense and Armed Forces Attaché, Philippine Department of Tourism – London, and SSS also joined the consultation, highlighting a whole-of-government approach to strengthening Philippine interests and engagement with Spain.
Consular Officers from Bilbao, Las Palmas, Malaga, Palma de Mallorca, Sevilla, and Valencia travelled to Madrid for the gathering, reinforcing coordination across the Philippine consular network.
The 2027 anniversary will provide an opportunity to celebrate longstanding ties and build new partnerships for the years ahead.
This press release has also been published on VRITIMES.
by Ferry Bayu | Oct 5, 2026 | Business
The Quezon City clinic offers travel-conscious aesthetic and wellness options, from skin tightening and collagen stimulation to skin treatments and IV micronutrient infusions, with treatment plans based on each patient’s schedule, goals, and expected downtime.
For many OFWs and balikbayans, coming home to the Philippines means fitting months’ worth of plans into a few weeks. Family reunions, weddings, appointments, errands, and vacations can quickly fill an already limited stay. International tourists may face a similar challenge when balancing activities across a packed Philippine itinerary.
MOLD Manila is highlighting how non-surgical aesthetic and wellness treatments can be incorporated into these trips without requiring visitors to dedicate a significant portion of their stay to recovery.
Rather than encouraging patients to fit multiple procedures into a limited window, the Quezon City aesthetic clinic takes a travel-conscious approach to treatment planning. Length of stay, upcoming flights, planned events, sun exposure, expected downtime, aftercare, and potential follow-up are considered before recommending a procedure.
For visitors looking to include beauty and wellness care during their stay, options at MOLD Manila include:
1. XERF — A non-surgical skin-tightening treatment for patients seeking gradual improvement in skin firmness and facial definition.
2. HydraPeel Dermabrasion — A skin treatment focused on cleansing, hydration, and refreshing the appearance of the complexion.
3. Radiesse Hyperdilute — A collagen-stimulating injectable used to support improvements in skin quality and firmness over time.
4. Radiesse Structural — An injectable treatment used for patients seeking greater facial definition and structural enhancement.
5. Botox — Treatments for suitable patients who want to soften the appearance of expression lines.
The MOLD Infusion — MOLD Manila’s IV micronutrient infusion offering for visitors who want to incorporate a wellness component into a busy trip.
While these treatments are non-surgical or minimally invasive, MOLD Manila emphasizes that this does not automatically mean zero downtime. Injectable procedures, for example, may result in temporary swelling or bruising, while other treatments may come with specific aftercare recommendations.
Timing therefore remains an important part of the consultation, particularly for patients with upcoming flights, beach trips, weddings, reunions, or other events.
The inclusion of The MOLD Infusion also broadens the clinic’s approach beyond aesthetic enhancement. Long flights, changing schedules, family commitments, late nights, and full vacation itineraries can make trips home or holidays unexpectedly hectic. The wellness offering gives visitors another way to set aside time for self-care during their stay.
For MOLD Manila, incorporating aesthetic care into travel does not have to mean pursuing a dramatic transformation. The clinic advocates for treatments selected according to the individual patient, their goals, and the realities of their itinerary.
The approach allows beauty and wellness care to become one considered part of a Philippine trip—rather than the trip revolving around the procedure.
About MOLD Manila
MOLD Manila is a premium, clinician-led aesthetic clinic based in Quezon City, Philippines. Known for its technology-driven, non-surgical treatments and personalized care, the clinic specializes in skin rejuvenation, non-invasive contouring, laser treatments, and IV wellness therapies. MOLD Manila is committed to education-first, results-driven aesthetics designed for real Filipino skin.
by Ferry Bayu | Oct 2, 2026 | Business
BIÑAN, LAGUNA, PHILIPPINES (September 28, 2026) — Fifty years ago, the University of Perpetual Help System JONELTA Laguna (UPHS Laguna) first opened its doors to Filipino families seeking a brighter future for their children. On Friday, as around 2,000 students, faculty, staff and university leaders gathered to celebrate its Golden Jubilee, the institution turned its focus to a crucial question: Who has yet to walk through those doors?
That question shaped UPHS Laguna’s 50th anniversary celebration at the Alonte Sports Arena in Biñan, Laguna, where the University looked back on five decades of education, healthcare and service while laying out its vision for the generation ahead.
At the heart of the celebration was a ribbon-cutting for a 50th Anniversary installation built in the form of a doorway. The tunnel-like structure traces the growth of the University through its Biñan and Pangasinan campuses, combining historical displays with video interviews and interactive activities on LED screens. More than a record of where UPHS Laguna has been, the installation was designed as a passage between the University’s past and its next chapter.
That next chapter was the focus of the anniversary address by Senior Executive Vice President Mark Tamayo.
“Fifty years ago, our founders decided that the best thing they could do with their lives was to be of service to the country,” Tamayo said. “Our responsibility now is to carry that same purpose into a country that looks very different from the one they knew and to reach the families who are still waiting for an opportunity.”
For UPHS Laguna, that means expanding its reach in the years ahead. The institution intends to enter markets where Perpetual Help does not currently have a presence and double the number of students it serves within the next five years.
But Tamayo framed that ambition not as growth for its own sake, but as an extension of the University’s original purpose.
“We are not chasing growth for its own sake. We are chasing families we have not reached yet.”
That ambition builds on an institution whose graduates have already carried their education and professional skills beyond the Philippines. More than 3,374 licensed UPHS graduates have been deployed globally since 2006 through Perpetual Help Placement Services International, while the institution maintains 51 international linkages across Japan, the United States and the United Kingdom.
The anniversary also placed today’s students at the center of the celebration. Four UPHS student bands performed during the pre-program, while the formal celebration brought together students, faculty, staff and university leadership before concluding with a performance by Filipino alternative pop band Over October.
The presence of students was fitting for an anniversary that was ultimately about the future. As UPHS Laguna looks toward its next 50 years, its ambition is not only to reach more students, but to continue raising what a Perpetual Help education makes possible — what students can do, where they can go and who they become.
For students in the Philippines and beyond, that increasingly includes opportunities to pursue careers and professional pathways across borders. UPHS Laguna’s international graduate deployment and partnerships reflect the broader role of education in connecting students with opportunities in an increasingly mobile region and global workforce.
That vision remains grounded in the University’s enduring principle: “Character Building is Nation Building.”
For UPHS Laguna, the next 50 years will not simply be about building more campuses or serving more students. It will be about opening more doors — and making sure more Filipino families have access to greater opportunities, wherever those opportunities may lead.
About University of Perpetual Help System
Founded in 1976 in the Philippines, the University of Perpetual Help System (UPHS) JONELTA is a multi-campus higher education institution serving students and communities across the country. With its flagship campus in Biñan, Laguna, UPHS JONELTA offers programs across health sciences, medicine, business, engineering, humanities and other fields, with a longstanding commitment to academic excellence, character formation, healthcare education and service to Filipino communities. Its graduates and international partnerships extend its reach beyond the Philippines, including through professional opportunities and linkages in Japan, the United States and the United Kingdom.
This press release has also been published on VRITIMES.
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