Dreams Are Worth Running For: EastWest Dream Run Returns for Its Second Year

 Launched in 2025 as part of EastWest's 30th Anniversary celebration, the inaugural EastWest Dream Run brought together around 14,000 runners, dreamers, and families nationwide. Building on that momentum, the EastWest Dream Run returns in 2026, inviting Filipinos once again to lace up, show up, and run for their dreams.

In partnership with RUNRIO, one of the country's leading race organizers, EastWest is bringing the EastWest Dream Run to four cities in 2026—Manila, Clark, Iloilo, and Cagayan de Oro. Expanding beyond last year's three-city run, the addition of Clark, Iloilo, and Cagayan de Oro allows the event to reach more communities and welcome more Filipinos into a movement that encourages people to run for their dreams while celebrating fitness, personal milestones, aspirations, and everyday victories that make every journey meaningful.

The Manila leg will take place on August 2, 2026, at Filinvest City in Alabang, while the Clark leg is scheduled for August 30, 2026 at Filinvest Mimosa Plus Events Grounds. Together, the two races will welcome runners of all ages and experience levels to be part of a growing community united by a shared belief: every dream begins with a single step.

Running Toward Something Meaningful

The EastWest Dream Run is a celebration of movement, perseverance, and progress. Whether participants are chasing a personal best, crossing their first finish line, or simply enjoying the experience with family and friends, the event offers an opportunity to pause, reflect on how far they've come, and look ahead to where they want to go next.

Participants may choose from 1K Dog Run, 3K, 5K, 10K, and 21K race categories, making the event accessible to everyone—from first-time runners and fur-parents to seasoned enthusiasts looking for a new challenge. Runners will enjoy multiple inclusions and entitlements like the exclusive race bib, race singlet, dog bandana, finisher’s towel, 21K finisher’s shirt, loot bag, and finisher’s medal. 

For the Manila leg, runners will make their way through Filinvest City, a green and walkable urban community whose tree-lined roads and open spaces provide an ideal setting for a refreshing and enjoyable race experience.

Following the Manila leg, the EastWest Dream Run heads to Clark on August 30, 2026, at the Filinvest Mimosa Plus Events Grounds. The event extends the celebration of fitness, community, and personal achievement to Central Luzon, giving more runners the chance to be part of an experience that encourages them to keep pursuing their goals, one step at a time.

Dreams in Many Forms

Building on the success of last year's event, EastWest Dream Run 2026 aims to create even more opportunities for people to come together, celebrate milestones, and pursue goals alongside a supportive community.

“At EastWest, we believe that dreams come in many forms. For some, it's owning a home, starting a business, or securing a brighter future for their family. For others, it's crossing a finish line they once thought was out of reach,” said Martin Reyes, SVP & Chief Marketing Officer.

“Beyond making banking easier for Filipinos, we aim to support them in every step of their journey. The EastWest Dream Run reflects that same spirit of moving forward with purpose. We're excited to welcome runners once again as we celebrate the journeys, milestones, and aspirations that connect us all.”

Coach Rio de la Cruz, Founder of RUNRIO, shared his enthusiasm for the event's return.

“The response to the inaugural EastWest Dream Run showed how much people value events that bring together fitness, community, and personal achievement. We're excited to continue that journey this year and create another memorable race experience for runners of all backgrounds and abilities,” he said.

Register and Be Part of the Journey

Registration for the EastWest Dream Run 2026 is now open. Participants may register through the official event website at www.eastwestbanker.com/dream-run-2026.

EastWest cardholders can also enjoy added value when they sign up. Runners who pay using their EastWest Credit Card may receive a Php 500 rebate with a minimum single-receipt spend of Php 3,000 on Dream Run registration, as part of an ongoing promo running until October 18, 2026.

Beyond the race itself, participants can look forward to a vibrant race village filled with fun activities, interactive booths, exclusive giveaways, and exciting surprises from EastWest's partners and sponsors. Supporting this year's Dream Run are  Filinvest, Quest Plus Conference Center (Manila & Clark), Mimosa Estate Plus, Visa, EastWest Ageas, and many other brands, with more partners expected to join as race day approaches.

Whether you're chasing a new personal record, running alongside loved ones, or simply taking the first step toward a goal you've been putting off, the EastWest Dream Run 2026 is an invitation to keep moving forward—one stride, one milestone, and one dream at a time. 

Lenovo Recognized in the Gartner® Supply Chain Top 25 for 2026

Lenovo has once again been ranked in the Gartner® Supply Chain Top 25 for 2026, achieving its highest-ever ranking at seventh globally. The Gartner Supply Chain Top 25 is a renowned annual ranking of the world’s superior supply chains. Now in its 22nd year, the Gartner Supply Chain Top 25 identifies, celebrates and profiles excellence in supply chain management. Supply chain teams use the Gartner Supply Chain Top 25 to benchmark performance, transform operations and lead in the future. Lenovo ranked eighth in 2025, 10th in 2024, and eighth in 2023.

AI Builds Greater Supply Chain Resilience

Global supply chains have faced unprecedented disruption over the past 12 months, driven by tariffs, component shortages, and geopolitical tensions. Lenovo’s strength amid these challenging circumstances has been its ability to build on its AI infrastructure behind its global supply chain, improving resilience, adaptability and execution at speed and scale.

Over the past year, Lenovo has evolved its Supply Chain Intelligence “digital nervous system” to develop iChain, a continuously learning orchestration system that coordinates thousands of suppliers and more than 30 manufacturing sites globally. iChain is delivering tangible results for Lenovo’s supply chain operations, including 60% faster decision-making, near real-time disruption response, and a 90% automation of network simulations that reduces manual analysis from two to three weeks down to two to three hours.

Lenovo remains committed to sustainability and continues to focus on future-proofing its operations by making the supply chain more resilient and intelligent.

“At Lenovo, we’ve always considered our Global Supply Chain as a key pillar of our operational excellence,” said Che Min Tu, Senior Vice President and Group Operations Officer, Lenovo. “Over the past 12 months, the ability to respond quickly to disruption has become essential for every business. By fully integrating AI into our operations, we’ve been able to meet our customer needs more quickly and respond to complex situations. We not only withstand disruption; we become stronger because of it. It’s this approach that’s helped Lenovo navigate changing market conditions, maintain a competitive advantage, and deliver its strongest year in the company’s history.”

Resilience Delivers Measurable Business Results

This resilience is translating into business performance. Lenovo retained its number one position in global PC market share, with the gap to the second-ranked competitor widening to its largest level in 15 years.

At the same time, integrating the Infrastructure Solutions Group supply chain into the broader global network has helped accelerate growth in Lenovo’s infrastructure business, supporting record operating profit and margins.

As global supply chains continue to grow more complex, Lenovo’s model is evolving beyond the high-volume PC business, where a single device can include an average of 2,500 components, to meet hypergrowth demand for AI infrastructure, enterprise solutions, and next-generation workloads. This positions Lenovo to maintain leadership in the global supply chain landscape by scaling AI server manufacturing, expanding liquid-cooled server capacity, and strengthening its global-local manufacturing network.

Lenovo’s Global, Anti-Fragile Supply Chain Strategy

Today, Lenovo’s supply chain spans more than 30 manufacturing sites in 10 markets across Asia Pacific, China, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, North America, and South America. Last year, Lenovo broke ground on a new manufacturing base in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Once operational, the advanced manufacturing facility will manufacture PCs, smartphones, and servers for the Middle East and Africa market, and will include a research and development center, talent enablement programs, and a customer experience center. Lenovo is committed to supporting the creation of thousands of local jobs, enabling knowledge transfer, and driving long-term economic value creation in Saudi Arabia.

In addition, Lenovo’s manufacturing site in Monterrey, Mexico, was recently recognized as one of 12 new additions to the World Economic Forum’s Global Lighthouse Network, a community of 201 leading manufacturers recognized for applying advanced technologies at scale. It is the second Lenovo site to receive this recognition, following the company’s site in Hefei, China, which was recognized in January 2023.

In September 2025, Lenovo announced a major investment and job expansion at its U.S. manufacturing and fulfilment campus in Whitsett, North Carolina. The three-building campus spans more than 800,000 square feet and employs approximately 1,100 people. The site supports server manufacturing, rack integration, and order fulfilment for customers across the United States.

How are companies ranked in the Gartner Supply Chain Top 25?

A Top 25 supply chain ranking is based on an equal weighting of business metrics and community opinion.

Business metrics comprise financial and environmental, social and governance (ESG) metrics. Financial metrics are based on a combination of three-year weighted return on physical assets (ROPA), ROPA change and revenue growth, plus inventory turns across the year. ESG data is derived from trusted third-party sources in the areas of commitment, transparency and performance across each area of ESG.

Community opinion is based on the feedback of peer voters from the community and Gartner experts. Peer voters cast votes for their personal choice of the Top 25 supply chains. They base their decisions on perceived end-to-end supply chain maturity and leadership, specifically the supply chains that are run as strategic assets to deliver business and societal outcomes by partnering beyond their own organizations and that are thriving through uncertainty.

Read the full Gartner Supply Chain Top 25 for 2026 Report here.

Smart Home WiFi Postpaid is now available at over 100 Smart Stores nationwide with a 50% discount offer

 Mobile services provider Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) is bringing fast and reliable home internet closer to more Filipinos as it expands the availability of Smart Home WiFi Postpaid to over 100 Smart Stores nationwide, making it easier for customers to get connected without the need for fiber lines or complex installations.

The Smart Home WiFi fixed wireless access postpaid service is now available in Smart Stores across North Luzon, Central Luzon, South Luzon, National Capital Region (NCR), Visayas, and Mindanao. This expansion caters to over 1.3 million households in 3,200 barangays nationwide, enabling customers to conveniently check their coverage, apply for a plan, and take home a plug-and-play internet device on the same day.

 

"We want to be more than just a service provider; we aim to be a dependable partner in our subscribers' journey toward their goals," says Marjorie Garrovillo, First Vice President and Co-OIC at Smart. "By expanding to more communities, we are enabling more Filipinos to seamlessly connect and focus on what matters most—whether that’s staying close to family, excelling in school, or starting a new passion project."

 

This expanded in-store availability underscores Smart’s commitment to making next-generation connectivity more inclusive, accessible, and convenient for Filipinos nationwide.

  

Plans designed to power your aspirations

 

Designed for young urban families, work-from-home professionals, and students, Smart Home WiFi Postpaid offers two plans tailored to different household usage needs.

 

Home Plan 1499 comes with Unlimited 5G data and a FREE plug-and-play modem that supports seamless connections for multiple devices.

 

On the other hand, Home Plan 999 features 200GB of 5G data, a daily 2GB bonus, and a convenient data rollover feature that lets subscribers carry over unused data from their main allocation. This plan requires a one-time modem fee of ₱995.

Both plans include a 24-month lock-in period and grant access to Smart Perks and GigaPoints rewards, adding even more value to the subscription. For added flexibility, subscribers can also conveniently boost their data through the Smart Online Store or Smart App with add-on packages tailored to their specific needs.

 

To ensure a worry-free experience, customers can easily confirm coverage by checking for a 5G indicator on their Smart mobile phone and by entering their barangay on the Smart Home WiFi Postpaid website 5G checker.

 

Every plan is backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing customers to return their device if 5G signal is not available at their address.

 

Limited-time offer

 

To make the offer even more compelling, Smart is rolling out a limited-time promo that gives new subscribers even more value in their first months of service.

 

From now until August 31, 2026, new Smart Home WiFi Postpaid subscribers and existing Home Plan 999 subscribers upgrading to Home Plan 1499—can enjoy 50% off their monthly service fees for the first four months.

 

Under this promo, Home Plan 999 subscribers will pay only P499.50 per month for the first four months, while Home Plan 1499 subscribers will pay only P749.50 during the same period, before reverting to the regular monthly rates for the remainder of the 24-month contract.

 

With this offer,  customers can experience fast, reliable, and affordable 5G connectivity as they transition to a smarter home setup.

 

Sign up for a Smart Home WiFi Postpaid Plan now by visiting the nearest Smart Store. For more updates, visit smart.com.ph/homewifipostpaid and follow Smart on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, and YouTube. 

Plana's Pantry Mandaluyong: The Cozy Comfort Food Spot You'll Want to Keep Coming Back To

There are restaurants that catch your attention the moment you see them from the outside. Then there are places like Plana's Pantry Mandaluyong, where you walk in with no expectations and leave wondering why you didn't discover it sooner.

From the street, it looks pretty unassuming. If I had simply driven past, I probably would not have guessed what was waiting inside. But the moment I stepped through the doors, everything changed. The space felt warm, cozy, and inviting. It has that comfortable atmosphere that makes you want to stay a little longer, catch up with friends, or simply enjoy a good meal without feeling rushed.

It reminded me of one of those hidden gems that make exploring Mandaluyong so much fun.

Comfort Food That Actually Delivers

The biggest surprise was the food.

There are times when a restaurant has one or two standout dishes. At Plana's Pantry, almost everything we ordered made an impression. It reached the point where we were already talking about what we'd order on our next visit before we had even finished our meal.

If this restaurant were closer to our home, I would probably find myself here at least once a week.

Their Signature Ribs deserve all the attention they get. Tender, flavorful, and satisfying, it's the kind of dish that makes you slow down and enjoy every bite.

The Caldereta was another favorite. Rich, comforting, and packed with flavor, it tasted like something made with care instead of something rushed out of a kitchen.

The Chicken Steak and the Beef Tapa were definitely crowd pleasers because there was absolutely nothing left after. Even their sisig deserves a shoutout because it's cooked the traditional way, with none of the add ons that a lot of places do.  

Their pasta selections are equally worth trying. Whether you're dining with family or friends, they're great for sharing, although you might end up wanting a plate all to yourself.

And then there's the handcrafted ice cream. After a filling meal, it was the perfect way to end the experience. It was creamy, refreshing, and a reminder that sometimes the simplest desserts are the most memorable.

A Place You'll Want to Dine In

Good food becomes even better when paired with a comfortable dining experience, and that's something Plana's Pantry does well.

The cozy interiors make it easy to settle in, whether you're meeting friends, celebrating with family, or simply treating yourself to a good meal after a long day. It's one of those places where conversations naturally linger because the environment feels so welcoming.

If you're planning to visit with a bigger group, you can also message Plana's Pantry's official social media pages to reserve a table in advance.

Perfect for More Than Just Casual Dining

One thing I appreciated learning is that Plana's Pantry is not just for dine-in guests.

They also accept bulk food orders, making them a great option for seminars, crew meals, family gatherings, and other group events.

If you're looking for food for office meetings, team lunches, or company celebrations, they also cater to corporate orders, making it easy to serve quality comfort food without the stress of planning everything yourself.

A Hidden Gem Worth Discovering

Some restaurants become popular because of social media hype. Others earn loyal customers simply because the food speaks for itself.

For me, Plana's Pantry belongs in the second category.

It may not immediately grab your attention from the outside, but once you step inside, you'll understand why people keep coming back. Between the cozy atmosphere, excellent comfort food, and menu that's difficult to fault, it's a place that's easy to recommend.

And if you ask me what I'd order on my next visit?

The Signature Ribs are definitely staying on the list.

Visit Plana's Pantry Mandaluyong at 50 Domingo M. Guevarra St. (formerly Libertad St.), Brgy. Highway Hills, Mandaluyong City 1550.

For reservations, bulk orders, and corporate catering inquiries, message their official social media pages.

Market volatility spurs demand for structured technical education among Filipino traders

Technical education is emerging as a critical priority for Filipino investors as persistent global market volatility exposes widespread gaps in risk management and trading discipline, according to Arlone Abello, crypto educator, market analyst, and Chief Executive Officer of Global Miranda Miner Group (GMMG).

To address this, GMMG has rolled out the Crypto Technical Analyst Executive Course, with support from the Philippine Digital Asset Exchange (PDAX). This face-to-face training program is specifically designed to fortify technical analysis skills, instill risk discipline, and improve trading execution for participants navigating highly volatile market conditions.

“Volatility frequently shocks the community. Filipino investors and traders need to understand that crypto markets are not just about price prediction. They require a solid grasp of support and resistance levels, risk-reward balance, and how to manage exposure under fast-changing conditions, as well as the ability to recognize risks unique to each digital asset,” said Abello.

 

The push for technical education comes amid continued instability in cryptocurrency markets, with Bitcoin shedding more than half of its value from its peak last year and recording steep sell-offs in 2026, including a major intraday crash in early February and large-scale liquidations in May.

 

These downturns have heavily impacted both novice and seasoned traders in the Philippines. Despite the volatility, the country remains one of the world's most active crypto markets, with an estimated 22-23% of the population holding digital assets.

 

Abello emphasized that while many traders enter the market during bullish cycles, they are often unprepared for inevitable corrections. A lack of technical strategy combined with emotional decision-making typically leads to severe losses.

 

“Beginners and experienced traders should understand that crypto success depends on risk appetite and time tolerance. Our mission in launching the executive course is to educate traders before they trade,” he added.

 

The course is built around GMMG's proprietary FEAST Trading System and covers structured methodologies in technical analysis, market psychology, risk management, and disciplined trading execution. Participants undergo hands-on mentorship sessions with instructors and fellow practitioners on how to interpret market behavior, identify trading opportunities, manage portfolio risk, and develop strategies applicable across digital assets.

 

In addition to technical analysis education, participants were introduced to legitimate pathways for participating in financial markets. Discussions covered both growth-oriented digital assets and more conservative investment options, including fixed-income instruments such as Retail Treasury Bonds (RTBs) available on regulated platforms like PDAX.

 

The inaugural batch of the course concluded at the PDAX Office in Pasig City, where PDAX hosted the session, with 30 participants completing the program. The diverse cohort included professionals from law enforcement, healthcare, engineering, law, entrepreneurship, and the maritime sector, as well as recent university graduates.

 

In response to strong demand, the second batch is scheduled for July 11–12, 2026. GMMG plans to expand the program to Cebu, Davao, and Baguio later this year.

 

Aspiring traders and investors who wish to learn crypto technical analysis may enroll through globalmirandaminer.com. 

Why the realme C100 is the Best Student Survival Tool

As students head back to school, having a dependable smartphone can make everyday campus life easier. From attending classes and finishing schoolwork to staying connected during daily commutes, the realme C100 is built to deliver the battery life, durability, and reliable performance students need to power through the day.

It Keeps Up With Your Student Life

The realme C100’s 8000mAh Titan Battery stretches up to 1.7 days on a single charge, so students can focus on classes and activities instead of stressing over battery warnings or looking for a powerbank. It’s also built to last well beyond the school year, retaining up to 80% battery health even after seven years of use. And when life gets physical, the realme C100 holds its own – its IP69 Pro durability and Military-Grade Shock resistance mean it keeps working even after getting soaked in the rain or dropped up to two meters.

But surviving the day is just the start, the realme C100 is also designed to make that day a little better. 

It Enhances Your Daily Routine

The device’s 6.8-inch 120Hz Ultra Bright Display with up to 1200-nit brightness makes it easy for students to read messages and catch up on lessons even under bright outdoor conditions. And when the battery runs low, the 45W SUPERVOOC Charging gets them back to 50%  in just 46 minutes, so there’s no reason to slow down.

But the realme C100 doesn't stop there. It’s 50MP rear camera is reliable enough for school requirements and capturing everyday moments with classmates and friends. Pair that with up to 256GB storage, students won't have to worry about constantly deleting old files and photos just to free up space. 

Additionally, the realme C100 is equipped with NEXT AI features that integrates smart tools into the realme UI to help optimize connectivity and device performance, while also supporting productivity and content creation. This makes everyday tasks easier to manage, allowing students to stay efficient and connected even outdoors.

It Goes Beyond the Essentials

Even during long study sessions or back-to-back classes, the Hyper Cooling technology keeps the phone from slowing down. It's also loud enough to fill a room, whether students are watching videos, taking calls, or just listening to Olivia Rodrigo’s songs between classes – thanks to the device’s 400% Volume Speaker. And with its Blooming Design and 48-month Fluency Optimization, the realme C100 is a phone that looks good and stays reliable long after the school year ends.

Availability and Promos

The realme C100 is also available on installment through Home Credit's 0% Interest Program at official realme stores and partner retailers nationwide, with terms of up to 18 months. Students and parents can also score a free Privilege Card and PHP 2,000 discount, with total freebies worth PHP 3,499. 

On top of that, an extra PHP 500 off is available using the discount code 1REALMEHC500, bringing down the cost to PHP 14,499 for the realme C100 (4GB+256GB) and PHP 17,499 for the realme C100 (8GB+256GB). All offers are valid until July 5, 2026 only.

For more information on the realme C100 series, visit www.realme.com/ph or follow realme’s official Facebook page. 

Moneymaxxing Your Credit Card Without Maxing It Out

In an economy where everything seems more expensive than it used to be, people aren't avoiding credit anymore. They're finding ways on how to make it work harder for them.

This shift fueled the rise of Moneymaxxing, a growing mindset focused on getting more value from the money you're already spending—whether that's through rewards, cashback, flexibility, or simply using the right financial tools for the right purchases.

Credit cards, when used strategically, can play an important role in that equation.

As the country's #1 Digital Bank and leading all-in-one fintech platform, Maya makes it easier for users to put that mindset into practice through rewards, cashback, flexible payment options, and tools that help them get more value from their everyday spending.

Put planned spending on your card

One of the easiest ways to moneymaxx your credit card is surprisingly simple: use it for spending that was already going to happen. Think groceries, dining, travel bookings, subscriptions, fuel, and recurring bills.

The goal is to  be more intentional about the spending that's already part of your life. Because the more your credit card aligns with your actual spending habits, the easier it becomes to earn rewards, enjoy cashback, and get more value from purchases you were already planning to make.

Treat your credit limit as a tool

A credit limit isn't extra income, it's a financial tool. 

A good rule of thumb is to treat your credit card as a payment tool, not a spending target. Keeping your spending manageable makes it easier to stay on top of payments, avoid unnecessary stress, and maintain healthy credit habits over time.

Because moneymaxxing isn't about seeing how much credit you can access. It's about using it strategically.

Choose rewards you'll actually use

The best rewards are the ones you'll actually use.

With the Maya Black Credit Card, cardholders earn instant Maya Miles for every purchase, including up to 10x Maya Miles at Maya Black Preferred merchants. These Maya Miles can then be used for shopping, dining, and more, turning regular spending into perks and experiences that actually feel worth it.

There are also benefits beyond points. Complimentary quarterly airport lounge access at select local and international airports means cardholders can enjoy a more comfortable travel experience before takeoff.

For those who prefer cashback, the Landers Cashback Everywhere Credit Card helps everyday spending work a little harder too, with 5% cashback at Landers, 2% on dining, and 1% on most purchases.

And if you're regularly on the road, using your Landers Cashback Everywhere Credit Card at Landers-Caltex stations guarantees a minimum discount of up to ₱7.00 per liter on fuel, helping make every fuel stop a little easier on the wallet.

Because whether it's miles, cashback, travel perks, or fuel savings, moneymaxxing isn't always about spending less, it's about getting more value from the spending that's already happening.

Use flexibility when it makes sense

One thing people don't talk about enough when it comes to credit cards? Timing. Sometimes financial stress isn't caused by overspending. Sometimes it's simply because several expenses decide to show up at the same time: a trip gets booked, a bill comes in, something at home needs replacing. Life has a funny way of clustering expenses together.

That's why flexibility has quietly become one of the most underrated financial tools.

With Maya's Mini Payments feature, cardholders can split eligible posted purchases into 3, 6, 9, or 12 monthly payments, all with a fixed add on rate of 1% interest per month , making it easier to spread out larger expenses when it makes sense for your budget.

Pay on time, your future self will thank you

Moneymaxxing isn't just about rewards, cashback, or perks. Some of the biggest benefits happen behind the scenes.

Paying your credit card bill on time helps you avoid unnecessary charges and supports healthy credit habits over time.

And since everything lives within the Maya app, it's easier to keep track of spending, rewards, payments, and credit all in one place.

At its core, moneymaxxing your credit card isn't about spending more money. It's about getting more value from the spending that's already happening, whether that's through rewards, cashback, flexibility, or simply building better financial habits along the way.

To know more, visit maya.ph or mayabank.ph, and follow @makeyourmoneymaya on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok to stay updated. Approval and offer are subject to credit evaluation. Maya Philippines, Inc. and Maya Bank, Inc. are regulated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. www.bsp.gov.ph. For 24/7 assistance, visit the Help Center in the Maya app or call us from 8 AM to 7 PM daily at +632 8845-7788. 

Globe unit m360 brings digital skills training, free surgeries to rural folk in Naic, Cavite

Globe Telecom unit m360, in partnership with the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM) and World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), kicked off its Digital for Good: From Farm to Chat initiative in Naic, Cavite as part of its mission to boost the livelihood of farmers and fisherfolk through digital literacy workshops and health care support.

Consisting of a digital skills training session and free minor surgeries, the Digital for Good: From Farm to Chat community outreach day started with a half-day workshop facilitated by m360 volunteers covering four practical topics: digital product catalogue creation, order-taking via messaging, digital promotion, and basic digital safety. 

m360 tapped WSFP to conduct the medical mission portion of the community outreach day. Up to 150 patients were pre-screened by WSFP for the minor surgical care that took place in the afternoon.

Mayor Rommel Magbitang (center) shows support for the Digital for Good initiative

"Rural farming and fishing communities face two compounding barriers - limited digital access and untreated health conditions - that hold them back from fully participating in the economy. Removing both barriers will help create real and lasting change. Our mission is to enable every Filipino community to connect, communicate, and grow," said Ramon ‘Mon’ Hirang, m360 President and CEO.

Mr. Hirang, m360 President and CEO speaks with Naic Cavite farmers and fisherfolks

"At m360, we believe that how we work matters as much as what we build. We are committed to using our platform not just as a business tool, but as a force for genuine social good," he added.

Narrowing the digital divide one community workshop at a time

During the digital literacy workshop, m360 volunteers showed participants how to use their cellphones to sell, promote, and protect their livelihoods.

The workshop consisted of three main topics - Ibenta Mo Online, Kumita sa Chat, and Huwag Matakot sa Internet.  To help participants reach a wider market for their products online, volunteers demonstrated how to take a good product photo using their cellphones, write a simple description, and how to share via chat or Facebook. m360 volunteers likewise showed participants how to use Viber or SMS to take orders, confirm payments, and follow up with buyers. Simple scripts and sample conversations were included. 

The discussions also touched on spotting fake buyers, the need to confirm payments before releasing goods, and adopting simple practices that will help ensure safe and secure online selling and transactions. 

Collaborating for good

From left to right: Dr. Lester Suntay, President & Co-Founder of WSFP, Mr. Ed Dela Torre, President & Vice Chairperson of PRRM, and Mr. Ramon ‘Mon’ Hirang, President and CEO of  m360.

Mr. Hirang said the Naic outreach marks the start of a broader rollout of Digital for Good activities across the Philippines. More communities in Luzon and beyond are expected to benefit from the program in the coming months

m360 is a Communications Platform as a Service (CPaaS) provider under Brave Connective Holdings, Inc., a Globe Telecom portfolio company. The enterprise helps businesses connect with their customers through SMS, Viber, WhatsApp, and other messaging channels - enabling real-time, scalable, and meaningful communication across industries. Digital for Good is m360's corporate social responsibility initiative – a long-term commitment to bridge the digital divide in underserved Filipino communities by leveraging its CPaaS expertise to create meaningful connections where they are needed most. Its goal is to make every business a digital business.

PRRM is the oldest and largest non-government organization (NGO) network in the Philippines, with over 70 years of grassroots community development experience and international affiliations including the United Nations. PRRM connects m360 directly to farming and fishing cooperatives, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and families across Luzon and beyond. 

“m360’s Digital for Good program will make a big difference to rural communities and help farmers and fisher folk keep up and adapt to the digital world,” said Ed Dela Torre, President & Vice Chairperson, PRRM. 

Registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), WSFP is a non-profit foundation committed to providing free, accessible, and sustainable surgical healthcare to marginalized Filipino communities. Its volunteers include licensed surgeons, nurses and medical staff with the capacity to serve up to 150 patients per outreach mission. 

"With our Surgical Outreach Program, we try to help address the surgical backlog in our country by providing treatments to indigent patients in underserved communities. Through this partnership with m360, our volunteer medical team will be able to reach out and provide life changing treatments to more vulnerable Filipinos," said Dr. Lester Suntay, President & Co-Founder