UBX pioneers AI use to reshape the future of financial services
UBX, the leading open finance platform in the Philippines, is taking a significant leap into the world of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to reshape the future of finance, employing the two leading AI experts in the Philippines.
With the addition of Jose Alfonso “Pancho” Reyna as director of Engineering, Data and AI and Mario Domingo as global chief technology officer (GCTO), UBX is uniquely positioned to leverage AI and new technologies to accelerate its financial and social inclusion goals further.
With over three decades of experience under his belt, Domingo is one of the most successful digital transformation executives in the Asia Pacific Region. Prior to this appointment, Domingo was the Asia Pacific Group CTO of the Chicago Board Options Exchange, and founder of DARC Labs, a cancer and diagnostics research center powered by AI.
Complementing Domingo, Reyna has over 15 years of diverse experience in AI, software development, technology management, and senior management across various sectors, including telecoms, banking, big data, and finance.
He was the CEO of Inquiro Inc., Globe Telecom’s data analytics and monetization company, and led various teams of engineers and software developers in his past employments.
Globe, Security Bank team up to boost cybersecurity initiatives
Leading digital solutions platform Globe and top universal bank Security Bank have signed a Memorandum of Understanding that aims to further boost cybersecurity initiatives to address the rising volume and complexity of financial crimes in the country.
The agreement aims to enhance the joint capability of Globe and Security Bank to fight financial crime and identity theft and to work together in fraud investigations, in compliance with existing laws, rules, and regulations by both the National Privacy Commission (NPC) and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).
This two-year agreement will enable Globe, one of the country’s largest telecommunications companies, and Security Bank, one of the country’s best capitalized private domestic universal banks, to share data for fraud prevention and investigation.
Globe has been partnering with all major commercial banks and online retailers to provide a direct and round-the-clock communication channel to report any malicious or fraudulent activities for immediate investigation or blocking.
In August last year, Globe inked an agreement with the Bankers Association of the Philippines (BAP) to establish a framework of cooperation for the sharing of data and intelligence for fraud prevention and investigation. BAP has 45 major banks as members.
The disclosure of personal information for purposes of fraud investigation is allowed under Section 12 (f) of the Data Privacy Act, per NPC Advisory Opinion No. 2021-026. Further, BSP Memorandum No. M-2021-059 advised BSP Supervised Financial Institutions to cooperate and share relevant information.
Santé CEO wins Entrepreneur of the Year award
Santé’s Chief Executive Officer Joey Marcelo was named the Entrepreneur of the Year at the prestigious 14th Asia CEO Awards last October 24, 2023, at the Manila Marriott. This celebrated event, known as the largest of its kind in Southeast Asia, recognized business excellence in various sectors within the country.
The Asia CEO Awards is a highly regarded event that honors remarkable business leaders who have demonstrated exceptional vision, leadership, and innovation in driving the success of their organizations.
With around 700 nominations across different categories, Santé International, one of the fastest-growing distribution and direct selling companies globally dedicated to helping people live better lives, earned a place in the Circle of Excellence for its Executive Leadership Team, while Santé CEO Joey Marcelo was awarded with the prestigious Entrepreneur of the Year award.
Established 16 years ago in the Philippines, Santé has consistently promoted health and wellness through providing high-quality products and business opportunities.
Disney+ presents new love series
When fate conspires to bring two people together from completely different worlds, a love story that transcends words will be written in Tell Me That You Love Me, a moving new series coming November 27 to Disney+.
An exciting retelling of a beloved Japanese classic and TBS Television Drama Series “Tell Me That You Love Me” (Scripted by: Eriko Kitagawa, Produced by: TBS Television Inc.), Tell Me That You Love Me stars Jung Woosung (The King, Hunt) as deaf artist Cha Jinwoo; Shin Hyunbeen (Reborn Rich, Reflection of You) as struggling actor Jung Moeun; Kim Jihyun (The Smile Has Left Your Eyes, Justice) as Song Seokyung, the director of an art center and Jinwoo’s ex-girlfriend; and Lee Jaekyun (Shark: The Beginning, Song of the Bandits) as composer and Moeun’s childhood friend, Yoon Johan. The series is written by Kim Minjeong (Love in the Moonlight) and directed by Kim Younjin (Our Beloved Summer).
Pangasinan’s Manila FAME debut showcases province’s world-class craftsmanship
The Province of Pangasinan made an impressive debut at the Manila FAME, showcasing 10 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and their export-quality products at the World Trade Center.
The 10 MSMEs were Herwin Buccat, Blades, Erastus, ILO, WELAB, Alma, Rach, Cawayan, Joy, and B6. These creatives offer opulent fashion pieces, home furnishings that evoke tropical and contemporary elegance, chef-approved kitchen knives from acclaimed swordsmiths, and more fantastic craft that honor the province’s agricultural bounty and rich heritage.
Pangasinan’s first-ever Manila FAME showcase is supported by Pangasinan Governor Ramon V. Guico III, along with local leaders, especially from Binalonan and Bolinao. Governor Guico said that Pangasinan’s presence at the prestigious trade show underlines the role of the creative industries in achieving inclusive growth in the province.
These MSMEs were carefully curated by the Artisan Empowerment Association (AEA) led by Adviser and Consultant Arlyn Guico and Chief Strategist and Consultant Rosemarie Oamil who guided the artisans and mentored them to make their products more globally competitive.
Converge ICT connects more Filipinos through VMware
Converge ICT Solutions Inc., a leading broadband service provider in the Philippines, announced that it surpassed its original target of achieving 55 percent household coverage nationwide by 2025, almost two years ahead of schedule.
With more than 670,000 kilometers of pure fiber assets, Converge has now attained a remarkable 62 percent nationwide coverage as of the second quarter of 2023, providing affordable high-speed broadband internet to unserved and under-served Filipinos across the nation. It is on track to further expand its reach across the Philippines to empower more communities and businesses across the nation.
Vital to this achievement is its collaboration with VMware, the cloud infrastructure of choice of Converge to run and deploy its ever-growing suite of applications. Moreover, with a massive business transformation underway, Converge leans on VMware to modernize its backend IT infrastructure.
Leveraging on a whole suite of VMware Cloud solutions, Converge created a new home for its core system to run on. This VMware-based IT infrastructure blending global best practices and solutions with local know-how helped Converge to simplify, scale, and more secure their IT operations supporting its continued expansion in the country.
Vital Strategies recognized at DOH Healthy Pilipinas Awards

Vital Strategies announced that it has been honoured with the prestigious Healthy Pilipinas Award in the Healthy Settings category for its pioneering Smoke-Free Beaches Initiative, a testament to Vital Strategies’ dedication to promoting healthy environments and positive public policies, which have been instrumental in transforming beaches across two municipalities, Glan and Kiamba in Sarangani.
Vital Strategies, a global health nonprofit organization providing technical assistance to government departments to ensure more equitable public health systems, has executed several strategic communications campaigns since 2015, in support of tobacco control policies.
Through the Smoke-Free Beaches campaign, Vital Strategies partnered with various local government units, such as Sarangani, Boracay, Puerto Princesa, Bataan, and Caramoan.
Last October 31, Kiamba, Sarangani formally launched its smoke and vape-free ordinance covering all beaches in the municipality.
The Healthy Settings category of the Healthy Pilipinas Awards acknowledges initiatives that enhance the well-being of communities and promote healthier living environments.
Personal Collection supports Filipino women’s dream
Personal Collection (PC) dealers are set up for entrepreneurial success with more than 600 PC branches nationwide to support them.
Founded 20 years ago, Personal Collection (PC) offers opportunities to improve the lives of people who want to start their own businesses. Hundreds of thousands of Filipinos, mostly women, have done so through its impactful business program – in their own time, at their own pace.
PC trains its dealers and puts them in a supportive community of like-minded people, which is especially beneficial for those new to entrepreneurship.
Personal Collection’s #GreenLifeGreatLife Movement is the blueprint for its manufacturing practices. It is the first Filipino-owned company to transition from recyclable packaging to biodegradable packaging for all its consumer goods.
Personal Collection offers training and support to their direct sellers to help them succeed in their businesses. They can access valuable resources and guidance, as well as connect with like-minded individuals who share their goals and offer mentorship.
PC has over 600 branches all over the Philippines with numerous active dealers that can guide them in achieving the Great Life through PC’s earning opportunities and quality, value-for-money products and services.
LBC’s Cash on Delivery (COD) service: bridging commerce with confidence
Now, businesses and consumers nationwide can send packages with the confidence that comes from the lowest rates ever offered, starting as low as P79. And true to the LBC name, their COD service builds trust by giving sellers and buyers an easy way to pay and get paid, making sure that the transactions are safe and the deliveries are made as expected.
Consumer expectations, constantly reshaped by the speed and convenience of digital transactions, have given LBC another opportunity to innovate its existing lineup of services. LBC’s introduction of their COD service for packages up to 1 kilo isn’t just adding another service but meets the rising demands of both businesses and consumers head-on.
The offer is not limited by geography. Whether you’re located in busy urban centers or the provinces, LBC ensures that this service is available to everyone. Simply book through the LBC website or their user-friendly app.
The COD promo runs until December 27, allowing businesses and consumers alike to experience the convenience and reliability that LBC has always been known for.
BillEase at SM Supermalls
BillEase is excited to announce its presence at SM Supermalls, where customers can enjoy a variety of treats and take advantage of 0% interest deals.
The top-rated consumer finance app has set up special kiosks in various SM Supermalls locations, making it easier for shoppers to access their services: SM North EDSA – November 2 – 15 (4F Cyberzone, The Annex); SM Mall of Asia: November 16 – 29 (GF, South Wing); SM Megamall November 30 – December 13 (GF Mega A)
At these kiosks, customers can easily sign up for BillEase with the help of on-site representatives.
BillEase is also offering a 0% interest deal on purchases at SM Supermalls’ partner stores. Exclusively for new BillEase users, this 0% interest offer is available throughout the promotional period from November 1 to December 31, 2023. Use the promo code BILLEASESM to avail yourself of this offer.