by | Feb 12, 2025 | Business
Manila, Philippines– Cebuana Lhuillier, the largest microfinancial institution in the Philippine , is making bold strides into the future of mobility with a strategic investment in Byahe, a modern transport company focused on electric and modern jeepneys. This follows the successful launch of its ridehailing app, Xpress, further strengthens the company’s mission to reshape mobility across the nation.
Byahe is currently operating seven routes with a fleet of over 100 modern and eJeepneys. As part of their expansion, Byahe is set to add more routes in 2025, helping accelerate the Philippines’ shift towards cleaner, more efficient urban transportation. Cebuana’s strategic partnership with Byahe introduces synergies between its Xpress ridesharing services and Byahe’s eco-friendly fleet, enhancing the accessibility and sustainability of mobility options for Filipinos.
Brian Cu, co-founder of Byahe and former Country Manager of Grab Philippines, brings essential expertise to the table. Cu, who was instrumental in expanding Grab’s presence in the country, is positioned to guide Byahe’s growth and further strengthen the partnership with Cebuana Lhuillier.
This move is also part of Cebuana Lhuillier’s larger strategy to offer a full suite of services to Filipinos. The company integrates financial solutions with mobility services, including vehicle financing, digital payments, and the Kanegosyo Center, which supports drivers of TNVS, 2W MC taxis, and jeepneys into being entrepreneurs. Cebuana’s expansive network of over 3,500 branches across the country ensures easy access to these services, improving mobility and financial inclusion.
Jean Henri Lhuillier, President and CEO of Cebuana Lhuillier, shared, “Our investment in Byahe reflects our commitment to innovation and sustainability in transport, empowering Filipinos with better mobility and financial inclusion.”
With its growing mobility portfolio, Cebuana Lhuillier, now including Xpress and Byahe, is shaping the future of transportation in the Philippines, making it greener, more efficient, and accessible for all Filipinos.
To learn more about Cebuana Lhuillier and its Xpress ride-hailing app, visit www.xpress.ph and www.cebuanalhuillier.com.
by | Feb 12, 2025 | Business
Founded by a Filipino social scientist-turned-chocolatier, chocolate startup Bombonería Dreisbach opened its online channels for orders on February 10th in time for Valentine’s Day 2025. It specializes in offering bonbons with the hopes of establishing a chocolate culture among Filipino youth and young professionals.
MANILA, The Philippines – Filipino chocolate startup Bombonería Dreisbach opened its online channels for orders on February 10th in time for Valentine’s Day 2025. The business specializes in offering bonbons or filled chocolate confectionery commonly known and sold in Europe.
La Bombonería’s founder Jeconiah Dreisbach aims to establish a Filipino chocolate culture starting with Manila’s college students and young professionals. Being an exclusively online and home-based business, this small-batch artisan chocolate studio utilizes social media to reach its customer base. Strategically located in the cultural-commercial district of Malate and the University Belt, orders from their facility can be delivered throughout Metro Manila and its neighboring provinces with the use of online delivery apps.
The brand joins the region’s fledgling premium confectionery industry with the hopes of putting Filipino artisan confections on the map of chocolate lovers.
Their bonbon flavors complement the fruity notes of world-class Philippine cacao traced from Davao, the chocolate capital of the Philippines. From the familiar flavors of calamansi, ube macapuno, and mango, to eccentric ones like guyabano mangosteen, langka, and guava, their range of bonbon fillings has room for those with a sweet tooth and the health conscious. All of their ingredients, but one (mixed berries are sourced from Australia), are sourced from farms in Davao and South Cotabato, highlighting the founder’s Mindanao roots.
Despite the premium quality of their confectionery, the Filipino social scientist-turned-chocolatier made sure that his luxury chocolate is accessible through the brand’s Ballotin line. European chocolateries commonly package their chocolates in a ballotin (loosely translated as chocolate box) or a common cardboard food box packaging where the confections can easily be shared with friends, family, and loved ones. For a more special feel, customers may also avail of their Finestra line wherein chocolates are put in their own compartments.
Buying chocolates from Bombonería Dreisbach also helps other Philippine small businesses as they source their packaging from traditional box makers in Pakil, Laguna, and as mentioned earlier, their ingredients from farms in southern Mindanao.
To explore the range of La Bomboneria’s bonbons, potential patrons may visit their website at www.bomboneriadreisbach.com. They may also check out Bombonería Dreisbach at @dreisbachph on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter).
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by | Feb 11, 2025 | Business
Hamster Kombat Season 2 is here! Experience the new HamsterVerse with GameDev Heroes, exciting challenges, and $HMSTR rewards. Join the Closed Beta, earn up to 1M Hamster Coins daily, and get ready for the 2025 airdrop. Don’t miss out on the next big Web3 gaming revolution!
Hamster Kombat has officially announced the launch of Season 2, introducing an innovative gaming experience known as the HamsterVerse. This Hamster Kombat new season will feature three interconnected games, with the $HMSTR token serving as a core element of gameplay.
Closed Beta Testing & Community Engagement
As part of the Season 2 rollout, Hamster Kombat’s developers are inviting players to participate in a Closed Beta Testing phase.
This initiative allows selected players to experience the new games before their official release while providing valuable feedback to refine the HamsterVerse.
To join the beta, players must:
- Subscribe to Hamster Kombat’s official social media channels on Telegram and X (formerly Twitter).
- Log into GLEAM, submit their Telegram ID, and secure their entry in the contest.
A total prize pool of $3,000 USDT has been allocated for this beta phase. Fifty winners will be chosen for each of the three games, receiving $20 USDT each as a reward for participation and social media engagement. The games included in this beta phase are:
- Hamster Kombat: GameDev Heroes
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Hamster Fight Club
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Hamster King
Winners will be selected randomly after beta testing, independent of individual contributions.
GameDev Heroes: A New Way to Play
One of the most exciting additions in Season 2 is the GameDev Heroes feature, which enhances the way players collect Hamster Coins and complete daily challenges.
This feature introduces an interactive, strategic element to the game, making it more engaging.
Daily Cipher Challenge
Daily Cipher is a new challenge that requires players to decode Morse code. Here’s how it works:
1. Enable Cipher Mode: Enter Daily Cipher Mode within Hamster Kombat on Telegram.
2. Crack the Code: Use dots and dashes (tap quickly for a dot, hold for two seconds for a dash).
3. Submit & Win: Enter the translated code and claim your Hamster Coins if correct!
With practice, players can earn up to 1 million Hamster Coins per day from this challenge.
Daily Combo Challenge
Another new addition is the Daily Combo, which allows players to collect special cards and maximize their earnings.
1. Navigate to the Office Menu: Explore the Development & Marketing section.
2. Collect the Right Cards: Follow the instructions to strategically select cards.
3. Earn Big Rewards: Completing the combo sends Hamster Coins directly to your account.
Earning More Hamster Coins
Players have multiple ways to maximize their coin earnings, including:
- Completing the Daily Cipher challenge.
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Mastering the Daily Combo.
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Participating in special in-game events.
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Finishing daily missions.
Airdrop Plan for Season 2
Hamster Kombat has announced an additional 15% of the total $HMSTR token supply will be distributed via an airdrop in Season 2. Scheduled for Summer 2025, this airdrop aims to further develop the game’s ecosystem and attract new players.
The development team has also revealed plans to expand Hamster Kombat beyond Telegram, launching a web-based version and integrating desktop gameplay.
Hamster Kombat’s Journey: From Record-Breaking Growth to New Challenges
Previously, Hamster Kombat set a record with 300 million users in August 2024. However, the number of Monthly Active Users (MAU) has since declined to 30 million.
The development team acknowledges that such fluctuations are normal in seasonal projects and remains optimistic about reigniting player enthusiasm through new content and strategies.
Despite the decline, Hamster Kombat still boasts impressive numbers, including:
- $1.3 billion in daily spot trading volume.
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$4 billion in perpetual trading volume.
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11 million+ token holders, positioning it as a major player in the blockchain gaming space.
Competition Among Telegram Mini Apps
While Hamster Kombat prepares for its revival, competition within the Telegram Mini Apps ecosystem is heating up. Notable competitors include:
- Paws: A mini-app with 40.7 million MAU, showing rapid growth.
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Blum: A hybrid platform combining centralized and decentralized exchange features.
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Major: An app where users complete tasks to earn cryptocurrency, boasting 34.9 million MAU.
Conclusion
With the launch of Season 2 and new interactive features, Hamster Kombat is positioning itself for a major comeback.
The development team’s focus on community engagement, strategic expansions, and Web3 integration suggests that the game is poised for long-term success in the blockchain gaming space.
Whether you are a seasoned player or new to the game, Season 2 of Hamster Kombat offers an exciting opportunity to dive into a new era of Web3 gaming.
by | Feb 11, 2025 | Business
The Australian Koala Foundation (AKF) is excited to be collaborating with Kuddli & Co Designs, a premier jewellery brand known for its exquisite designs, in an exclusive raffle event that aims to raise much-needed funds for Koala conservation.
The raffle features an exquisite jewellery duo, made up of Kuddli & Co’s Sterling Silver Koala with 10K Gold Plated Heart Pendant and Sterling Silver Koala with 10K Gold Plated Heart Bangle. Both pieces are valued at over $660 RRP.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with Kuddli & Co Designs, a brand that shares our commitment to both beauty and conservation,” said Deborah Tabart OAM, Chair of the Australian Koala Foundation. “This raffle not only offers a chance to own these stunning pieces of jewellery, but it also gives our supporters a meaningful way to support Koala conservation. With every ticket sold, the community is helping to contribute to a brighter future for koalas in Australia.”
The raffle will feature a limited number of tickets at $25 each, offering participants the exclusive chance to win the stunning Sterling Silver Koala Set.
“We hope that this raffle will be the first of many elevated offerings we can bring to the Koala Army community,” Tabart says. “Our supporters have always been generous to us, so we’re grateful for the opportunity to partner with established brands like Kuddli & Co to give back to them.”
Koalas, which face increasing threats from habitat loss, bushfires, and climate change, are in desperate need of conservation efforts. Proceeds from this raffle will directly benefit the AKF’s ongoing initiatives to protect koala populations and ensure their future survival.
To find out more about the raffle and how to buy a ticket, click here.
by | Feb 11, 2025 | Business
GoGym is raising pre-seed funding to enhance its app, expand its locations, and solidify its position as the Philippines’ leading tech-enabled fitness chain. With a strong leadership team and a proven model, GoGym offers a compelling investment opportunity in the fast-growing fitness and wellness market.
GoGym, the Philippines’ first tech-enabled, high-value, low-cost fitness gym chain, is embarking on its most ambitious phase of growth yet. The company is currently raising pre-seed funding to accelerate the development of its innovative fitness app and expand its physical footprint across Metro Manila and beyond. With a proven business model and a leadership team with decades of industry expertise, GoGym is positioned as an attractive investment opportunity in the rapidly growing health and wellness sector.
Invest in Wellness: GoGym’s Pre-Seed Funding Round Fuels Tech and Location Growth
GoGym, the Philippines’ first tech-enabled, high-value, low-cost fitness gym chain, is embarking on its most ambitious phase of growth yet. The company is currently raising pre-seed funding to accelerate the development of its innovative fitness app and expand its physical footprint across Metro Manila and beyond. With a proven business model and a leadership team with decades of industry expertise, GoGym is positioned as an attractive investment opportunity in the rapidly growing health and wellness sector.
A Vision for Fitness Innovation
The fitness industry in the Philippines is thriving, with a projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8% for fitness services and related markets. This growth is fueled by increasing health awareness, a burgeoning middle class, and the rising popularity of digital fitness solutions. GoGym aims to capitalize on these trends by combining physical fitness centers with cutting-edge digital technology, offering a seamless and modern fitness experience.
“We’re not just building gyms; we’re building a fitness ecosystem,” says Andrew Phillips, CEO of GoGym. “Our mission is to make fitness affordable and accessible while integrating technology to deliver unmatched value to our members.”
GoGym’s app currently allows members to manage memberships, track workouts, book personal training sessions, access nutrition plans, and participate in gamified challenges. The company plans to expand these features with funding, including smart equipment integration, advanced analytics, and even AI-driven workout recommendations.
Fueling Growth Through Funding
With five successful locations in Metro Manila, GoGym is seeking funding to expand its presence to more neighborhoods and cities. The funds raised in this pre-seed round will be allocated to:
App Development: Enhance the GoGym app with new features, such as personalized fitness plans, real-time progress tracking, and social connectivity for members.
Physical Expansion: Open additional gym locations to meet growing demand and bring affordable fitness solutions closer to communities.
Marketing and Brand Awareness: Launch campaigns to solidify GoGym’s position as a leading fitness brand in the Philippines.
“Investing in GoGym is investing in the future of fitness,” says Felicia Perez, Chief Product Officer. “Our app-centered approach not only streamlines gym operations but also creates a better experience for members. We’re redefining what it means to go to the gym, and we’re inviting investors to be part of this exciting journey.”
A Proven Team Driving Success
GoGym’s leadership team brings unparalleled expertise to the table, with decades of experience across fitness, technology, product design, and strategy. From Andrew Phillips’ extensive background with global gym chains to Felicia Perez’s innovative approach to UI/UX, the team has a clear vision for scaling the business sustainably.
“This funding round isn’t just about growth—it’s about ensuring we stay true to our mission of making fitness accessible to all,” adds Kristoff Inocentes, Head of Sales & Marketing. “We’re ready to take GoGym to the next level, and this funding will allow us to deliver on our promise of inclusivity, affordability, and innovation.”
A Bright Future for Fitness in the Philippines
The pre-seed funding round represents a unique opportunity for investors to back a proven business in a high-growth industry. With plans to disrupt the fitness market through technology and expansion, GoGym is poised to make a lasting impact on the lives of Filipinos and redefine how fitness is approached in the region.
If you’re interested in becoming part of GoGym’s mission to create healthier, happier, and more connected communities, visit GoGym’s website to learn more about their funding and partnership opportunities.
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