by Ferry Bayu | Nov 13, 2025 | Business
Manila, Philippines — November 15, 2025 — Taxumo, the Philippines’ leading online tax filing platform for freelancers, professionals, and small business owners, has partnered with REKO, the country’s first all-Filipino eBook platform, to make tax compliance simpler and more affordable for local authors.
Through this partnership, REKO partner publishers and authors will enjoy special discounted rates on Taxumo’s online tax filing services, helping them easily file their taxes and stay compliant with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) — all within minutes and without the stress of manual paperwork.
REKO, developed by BookSpine Inc., is a digital platform that allows readers to discover, read, and support Filipino-authored eBooks. It empowers authors by providing them with tools to publish, protect, and distribute their works digitally, complete with secure streaming, DRM protection, and data analytics. Since launching in 2025, REKO has made it easier for Filipino authors to monetize their craft, expand their readership, and bring local stories to a wider audience.
“At Taxumo, we believe that every creator and author deserves to focus on telling their stories — not stressing about taxes,” said Ginger Arboleda, CEO and Co-Founder of Taxumo. “Partnering with REKO gives us an opportunity to support Filipino authors who are turning their creativity into sustainable livelihoods. We’re here to make the financial side of their careers simpler, more affordable, and compliant — so they can keep creating without worry.”
“With REKO, our vision has always been to make Filipino-authored books accessible to everyone and to give authors greater control over their work, distribution, and income,” said Gia Santos, Founder of REKO. “This partnership with Taxumo completes that cycle — ensuring that as our authors grow their readership and earnings, they can also confidently manage their taxes. It’s another way we’re helping Filipino writers thrive in the digital age.”
The collaboration reflects a shared commitment between REKO and Taxumo to strengthen the Philippine creative economy by empowering authors with the tools and knowledge they need to grow their careers — from publishing their first eBook to managing their professional finances responsibly.
About Taxumo
Taxumo is the Philippines’ most trusted online tax platform for freelancers, professionals, and small business owners. Since 2016, it has helped thousands of Filipinos stay compliant by making tax filing simple, secure, and fully digital.
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by Ferry Bayu | Nov 13, 2025 | Business
The UP SCINTILLA JURIS (UPSJ) is organizing the UPSJ Rise UP Run 2026, an open to pubic fundraising fun run happening on January 18, 2026, at the UP Diliman Academic Oval. The event aims to raise funds for the UP Track and Field Team, helping student-athletes with nutrition, training, and competition expenses. Reviving a tradition first held in 1985, the initiative reflects UPSJ’s long-standing commitment to the UP community—supporting projects that range from donating trash bins and building campus facilities to providing scholarships and student aid.
The UP SCINTILLA JURIS (UPSJ) is organizing the UPSJ Rise UP Run 2026, a fundraising fun run scheduled for January 18, 2026, at the UP Diliman campus. The event aims to generate funds for the UP Track and Field Team — one of the university’s most dedicated yet underfunded athletic groups — as well as other initiatives that benefit the UP community.
While fun runs have become increasingly commercialized across the country, Rise UP Run returns to the sport’s original spirit of bayanihan. The event echoes a similar UPSJ-led fundraiser held in 1985, reaffirming the organization’s commitment to using collective effort to uplift students and strengthen university programs.
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, recreational running remains one of the fastest-growing sports nationwide, particularly among young professionals and university students. UPSJ hopes to channel this momentum toward a purpose-driven cause that empowers student-athletes to focus on their training and education rather than financial strain.
“UPSJ has always been an active supporter of the Isko community — from donating trash bins around the campus to building facilities and funding scholarships,” said Engr Joseph Martin P Perez, President of UPSJ. “Through the Rise UP Run, we aim to sustain that legacy by rallying runners and supporters around our student-athletes who bring pride to the university.”
Members of the UP Track and Field Team shared how such efforts directly impact their development. “The organization helps us with nutrition and supplements that are essential for performance athletes,” said Shane, one of the team’s sprinters. High jumper Lawrence added, “Sa probinsya mahirap lang buhay namin, kaya thankful ako sa support ng UPSJ. Nakakapag-focus ako sa training, kaya ginagawa ko talaga ang best ko.”
Beyond this year’s event, UPSJ continues to fund community projects within the university — from campus upkeep to student assistance programs — reinforcing a culture of service and solidarity within the UP system.
The UPSJ Rise UP Run 2026 extends this tradition by bringing together runners, alumni, and supporters for a cause that celebrates discipline, perseverance, and the Filipino athlete’s fighting spirit.
The event will feature 3K, 5K, and 10K categories open to all fitness levels. Proceeds will directly benefit the UP Track and Field Team’s nutrition, training, and competition needs.
The UPSJ Rise UP Run 2026 will take place on January 18, 2026, at the UP Diliman Academic Oval. Click the link below to register!
https://upsjaa.myruntime.com/register
About UP SCINTILLIA JURIS
About UPSJUP Scintilla Juris (UPSJ) is a civic organization based in the University of the Philippines dedicated to community service, student development, and public leadership. It continues to spearhead initiatives that support academic excellence, athletic programs, and nation-building efforts.
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VRITIMES by Ferry Bayu | Nov 12, 2025 | Business
Las Piñas-For over a decade, the Villar Foundation’s key environmental initiatives, particularly the Sagip Ilog (Las Piñas–Zapote River Rehabilitation) and the Riverdrive Projects, have been recognized as pioneering models of community-led river rehabilitation, flood control, and waste management. These programs have received numerous national and international awards. These recognitions stand as proof of the project’s positive environmental, social, and community impact.
1. UN Human Settlements Program and the Dubai International Award – “Best Practice Award for Outstanding Contribution Towards Improving the Living Environment” (2006)
2. International Green Apple Award for Environmental Best Practice (2009) for the “Sagip Ilog” River Rehabilitation Program from the Green Organization of London in 2009.
3. Oikos Global Case Writing Competition (Switzerland) for the “Social Enterprises from River Rehabilitation Program,” (2009)
4. UN “Water for Life Award – Best Water Management Practices” presented in Zaragoza, Spain during World Water Day (2011)
5. “Kampeon ng Katubigan” Award , presented by DENR-NCR to Former Senator Cynthia Villar in 2018 for her tireless efforts in protecting bodies of water such as the Las Piñas–Zapote River and the Las Piñas–Parañaque Wetland Park.
6. Gawad Taga-Ilog 2.0: Search for the Most Improved Estero in Metro Manila awarded Former Senator Cynthia Villar as Environmental Champion by DENR–NCR in March 2022.
7. Energy Globe Award “Certificate of Honor” recognizing the Las Piñas Kitchen Waste Composting Project as one of the World’s Best Environmental Projects, part of the Sagip Ilog and River Rehabilitation Programs (2002)
8. Human Rights Awards for Poverty Alleviation from United Nations Association of the Philippines (UNAP), reconized Former Senator Cynthia Villar for her initiatives in eliminating poverty and maintaining a healthy environment. (2024).
The Riverdrive was constructed along the government-owned 6-meter river easement, meaning no private land was taken and the natural width of the river remained intact. The combined Las Piñas–Zapote and Molino Riverdrive spans 40 kilometers, making it the longest riverdrive in the Philippines, completed between 2012 and 2022.
Before this project, the riverbanks were occupied by informal settlers living in hazardous and flood-prone conditions. hhhThese families were not forcibly evicted; they were properly and compassionately relocated to Naic, Cavite with assistance from the National Housing Authority.
Additionally, the Villar Family extended ₱20,000 in relocation assistance per family to help them rebuild their lives.
Today, these properties have increased in value as the area has grown due to improved infrastructure, a new bridge from Bataan, developing tourism areas, and the establishment of a PEZA Economic Zone that has opened jobs and livelihood opportunities.
Contrary to accusations, the Riverdrive did not make the river narrow. It was built on the easement, ensuring clear water flow and helping prevent flooding.
The Villar Family personally funded the construction of two vital bridges to enhance connectivity and community access:
· One bridge provides 24/7 free access to Bacoor and Imus
· Another bridge ensures free and convenient access to the Villar Foundation Farm School and Tourist Farm.
The bridges were constructed at no cost to the government, underscoring the Villar Family’s commitment to public service and community development. By opening their private property to build connecting roads leading to Bacoor, the family provided the public with free and convenient access. Although the route passes through the Villar Farm School and Tourist Farm, its greatest beneficiaries are the residents of Las Piñas, Bacoor, and neighboring communities, who now enjoy safer, faster, and more efficient travel.
The Villar Farm School & Tourist Farm stands today as a national model for agricultural education and farm tourism, aligned with the Farm Tourism Law (Republic Act No. 10816) authored and passed by Senator Cynthia Villar in 2016. Farm owners, cooperatives, and farmer organizations from across the country come here for study tours, hands-on training, and real-world learning.
Each year, the Villar Farm School provides free training to more than 1,000 individuals, equipping them to become agricultural trainers. After the program, these graduates return to their respective communities to mentor farmers, support local agricultural initiatives, and contribute to strengthened food production and improved rural livelihoods .
The farm features integrated and sustainable agricultural systems, including, a rice farm , a vegetable farm, an aquaculture demonstration area, a dairy farm with around 50 carabaos, and a coconut farm intercropping with cacao.
For more than 20 years, from 2002 up to the present, the Villar Family has also consistently led efforts in river cleanup and rehabilitation, long before the issue gained widespread public attention.
Villar Foundation turns river waste into useful products and livelihood opportunities. Water hyacinths are crafted into baskets and mats, coconut husks into coconets and coco peat for soil improvement, and kitchen and garden waste into organic fertilizer and distributed for free to farmers and urban gardeners. waste plastics are recycled into school chairs and are given to public schools and farm schools for free.
The Las Piñas–Zapote Riverdrive is a long-term development effort that has improved lives, restored the river, and strengthened the Las Piñas community.
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by Ferry Bayu | Nov 11, 2025 | Business
TradingPRO has officially launched its Partnership Program in the Philippines, inviting Introducing Brokers (IBs) and affiliates to collaborate and earn through client referrals. The program provides traders, influencers, and financial educators the opportunity to build their own business network under the trusted TradingPRO brand, offering high commissions, marketing support, and real-time reporting tools.
Empowering Filipino Partners to Earn More
Through the new Partnership Program, Filipino IBs and affiliates can benefit from competitive commission structures based on trading volume and client activity.The initiative aims to strengthen TradingPRO’s local presence while rewarding partners who help expand the platform’s community of traders in the Philippines.
Program Highlights:
* High Commission Rates — Earn rewards based on trading volume and performance
* Real-Time Tracking Dashboard — Transparent performance analytics for all referrals
* Marketing Support & Training — Access to promotional materials and partnership assistance
* Multi-Tier Structure — Scale your network and earn from sub-affiliates
These features make it easier for Filipino partners to grow their income while promoting a regulated and trusted global trading brand.
Built on Transparency and Long-Term Collaboration
TradingPRO’s Partnership Program is designed for sustainable relationships rather than short-term incentives.Partners receive ongoing assistance, dedicated account managers, and consistent payouts — ensuring reliability and trust throughout the collaboration.
Start Earning as a TradingPRO Partner
Become a part of a growing global network of Introducing Brokers and affiliates.
Sign up here
Join the TradingPRO PH Community
Telegram: [Link]
Facebook: [Link]
LinkedIn: [Link]
Instagram: [Link]
About Trading PRO
TradingPRO is a globally recognized Forex broker regulated by the FSCA and FSC, committed to empowering traders with secure access to global markets, institutional-grade tools, and a client-first approach built on transparency and education. The company offers a wide range of instruments including Forex, metals, commodities, indices, and crypto CFDs, combined with ultra-tight spreads, rapid execution, and multilingual support across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. With platforms such as MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, a mobile trading app, and API access for professionals, TradingPRO delivers an intuitive trading experience for both beginners and advanced traders. Its Telegram ecosystem provides real-time signals, education, and market updates, while value-added benefits like deposit bonuses and cashback programs support trader growth. Above all, TradingPRO prioritizes safety and compliance, ensuring a trusted and regulation-backed trading journey.
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by Ferry Bayu | Nov 10, 2025 | Business
MANILA, Philippines, November 7 – Bayfront Capital Advisors has appointed Manuel “Mike” Banayad as President, strengthening its leadership team as the firm expands its role in supporting mid-market, family-owned and top companies to access institutional capital for growth and expansion.
Mike brings over 35 years of banking and investment banking experience, with deep expertise in debt syndication, project finance, mergers and acquisitions, and capital markets fund raising. His extensive professional background across major Private and Government financial institutions strengthens Bayfront’s ability to serve as a trusted partner in complex financing and advisory transactions.
He previously held senior leadership roles and was the former President and CEO at PNB Capital and Investment Corporation where he led major capital raising activities for top Philippine Corporates. He also served as Managing Director and was Head of Debt Capital Markets at the Investment & Capital Corp. of the Philippines (ICCP) and Maybank ATR Kim Eng Capital Partners, where he managed and led a number of award winning syndicated debt and project finance transactions. His career began at the Development Bank of the Philippines, where he spent 16 years driving development lending and project finance initiatives for the country’s key infrastructure projects.
Before joining Bayfront, he was appointed as Director IV at the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center of the Philippines, heading the Project Development and Monitoring Facility Service (PDMF), which provides technical and financial assistance for local and national PPP projects. He also previously served as a Board of Director at the Investment House Association of the Philippines (IHAP).
Mike’s appointment reinforces Bayfront’s position as the leading independent debt advisory house in the Philippines, strengthening the firm’s capability to support clients in executing transactions.
About Bayfront
Bayfront Capital Advisors is a boutique corporate finance advisory firm specializing in debt advisory, mergers and acquisition, and equity fundraising for mid-market and family-owned companies in ASEAN, particularly in the Philippines. The firm supports businesses in accessing institutional capital that drive growth, expansion, and long-term value creation. The firm was both founded by Saroj Mishra and Rj Angeles who are serial entrepreneurs and career bankers from Standard Chartered and Citibank.
Bayfront’s debt advisory work spans a wide range of financing solutions, from working capital and secured term loans to project financing, asset-backed facilities, and refinancing. Its M&A and equity advisory practice provides comprehensive support across sell-side advisory, private equity fundraising, and valuation mandates. The firm manages the full deal process from structuring to execution, connecting clients with strategic and financial investors including local conglomerates and private equity firms.
Recent transactions include a syndicated facility for a large-scale reclamation and development project, one of the landmark debt deals in the Philippines. The firm also arranged a secured term loan for a mid-market property developer, structured a working capital facility for a fast-growing consumer goods distributor, and advised on a receivables financing facility for a non-bank financial institution expanding its SME lending portfolio.
Bayfront works with companies at key stages of growth, from expansion and project development to recapitalization, succession, and strategic acquisitions, bridging the gap between mid-market borrowers and institutional capital providers.
For more information, visit www.bayfrontcapitaladvisors.com.
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by Ferry Bayu | Nov 10, 2025 | Business
Manila, Philippines—Multisys Technologies Corporation, a leading Filipino software solutions company under the PLDT Group, has been recognized at the 2025 International Business Awards (IBA), the world’s premier business recognition program and biggest and most prestigious Stevie Awards program. On its 15th year anniversary, Multisys has been named a Bronze Stevie Award Honoree under the Company of the Year – Computer Software category.
The IBA, known for its rigorous judging and global prestige, drew over 3,800 nominations from 78 countries and territories, reviewed by more than 250 industry leaders worldwide. With this honor, Multisys joins a select list of Filipino powerhouse organizations recognized under the “Company of the Year” category.
“This international Stevie recognition is a proud moment for Multisys and the entire PLDT Group,” Multisys CEO Vic Tria said. “It is a celebration of our 15-year journey of software innovation, of helping build digital foundations for enterprises and government institutions in the Philippines and the Asia-Pacific region. It is not just for our team, but for Filipino technology talent as a whole–reminding and encouraging us that world-class technology can be proudly Filipino.”
Now celebrating its 15th anniversary, Multisys continues to expand its global footprint through software innovations and strategic partnerships. The company recently renewed its ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification for Information Security Management Systems (ISMS), reaffirming its commitment to the highest standards of cybersecurity and data protection.
Multisys has also strengthened its partnerships with global tech giants—becoming an official technology partner of Google under the ‘Build’ category of the Google Cloud Partner Program, and a ‘Consulting and Implementation’ Partner of Silicon Valley-based ServiceNow, enabling it to deliver AI-driven and cloud-integrated solutions for enterprises across various industries.
These partnerships complement Multisys’ work with PLDT Enterprise, co-developing telco-integrated platforms powered by its solid suite of digital solutions—from enterprise portals and payment systems to dealer management and order portals.
Beyond the Philippines, Multisys is also extending its impact internationally, working with Brunei’s largest telco, DST. The two co-develop Brunei’s first-ever Super App.
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