DIGITAL SPACE

GCash continues to step up its security systems and awareness campaigns as part of its thrust in consumer protection. The initiative aligns with advisories from the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), and the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG).   Authorities say love scams remain one of the most common online fraud schemes, where criminals build and take advantage of emotional connections before asking for money. Recent data from the CICC show 123 love scam complaints in 2025, with 18 cases recorded in January 2026 alone. Cases usually increase during the love month as scammers become more active.   Common signs of romance/love scams Government advisories highlight several warning signs:   Sudden requests for money under the guise of emergencies, travel, or medical needs Refusal to meet in person or join live video calls Profiles with overly polished or unreali...

Financial inclusion has made great strides over the years, yet access remains a superficial metric of growth for the three billion people worldwide who remain without formal credit essential to thrive in the long-term.   The Washington D.C.-based Atlantic Council’s GeoEconomics Center, through its latest report called “A Three-Billion-Person Challenge: Decision Time for Financial-Sector Leaders,” attributes this largely to connectivity, affordability, and security issues. This year-long extensive global study highlights that despite access, usage remains a huge hindrance in global financial security.    As a pioneering advocate for the global majority, Tala urges policymakers and service providers to leverage data and technology that would transform digital access into opportunities for inclusive growth. Beyond access: Barriers to usage of financial services New data from the Atlantic Council report reveals that 84 percent of adults in low- and middle-income economies (LM...

In time for the Chinese Lunar New Year, Gateway Gallery presents an exhibition from its art collection of artworks created by Chinese-Filipino artists. “Beyond Tradition: Evolving Chinese-Filipino Artists” focuses on the traditional Chinese art and how it evolved in form and philosophy in modern and contemporary times. Beyond Tradition , which opened on February 12 and will run until March 14, 2026, features 8 Chinese-Filipino artists and 2 Filipino artists. The collection is complemented by three works from guest artist and scholar Arnulfo Esguerra. The exhibition is headlined by senior Chinese art master Lupicinio “Peter” Ng, who currently serves as Head of the Ateneo Confucius Institute. Beyond Tradition , curated by Museum Curator Gari R. Apolonio, mines the growing art collection of the Gateway Gallery to gather the works of Chinese-Filipino artists into a thematic exhibit. Their contribution to the collection is important because it adds texture and layers to the collection. The ...

  LG gram Debuts Aerominum for a Premium Metallic Look and Reinforced Durability, With Advanced Dual AI to Boost Productivity   LG Electronics (LG) will unveil its 2026 LG gram lineup at CES 2026, extending the brand’s decade-long leadership in ultra-portable laptops. The new lineup debuts an ultra-light Aerominum material for a more portable, durable and premium design. The new models also prioritize productivity with advanced dual AI capabilities, combining on-device intelligence with cloud-based AI for more flexible work and creativity on the go.   The LG gram’s evolution as the ultra-portable laptop is accelerated by Aerominum, a composition developed by LG. This innovative material reduces the laptop’s weight while reinforcing its structural strength. The resulting chassis is built for life on the move, offering improved scratch resistance, meeting military-grade standards and ensuring long-lasting resilience for everyday use. Aerominum’s aeroplate structure and refi...

Whether it’s a sunset photo from an El Nido trip or a wayward thought shared while stuck in EDSA traffic, every moment in your life little or grand can now have its own perfect, fitting soundtrack. That’s because Google is launching Lyria 3 , a generative music model available directly within Gemini.   Lyria 3 is a digital instrument that gives people a new way to express themselves. By describing an idea or scenario, or uploading a photo, Gemini generates a 30-second, high-quality track with lyrics and cover art that matches exactly what you’re looking for or the vibe you’re chasing. With simply a prompt, you can choose the genre—from upbeat pop to chill acoustic and everything else that’s available—and adjust the tempo, vocals, and style to fit your vision.   Here’s how it works: Prompt to Play: Describe a vibe as detailed as you can, like “a nostalgic 90s alternative track about a rainy day in Manila.” Visual inspiration: If you don’t know where to start with a text promp...

  The move aligns with Honda’s long-term strategy to strengthen its manufacturing base in the Philippines.   On February 11, 2026, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) approved the merger of Honda Philippines, Inc. (HPI), motorcycle manufacturer, and Honda Parts Manufacturing Corporation (HPMC), with HPI as the surviving entity. Following the SEC’s approval, the two companies will operate as a single, unified organization, with all operations consolidated under HPI, effective 1 April 2026.   The merger brings together vehicle assembly and parts manufacturing under one entity, supporting Honda’s long-term strategy in the Philippines. By combining these operations, Honda aims to improve operational efficiency, strengthen manufacturing flexibility, and better respond to growing demand for motorcycles and power products.   “This merger is an important step in building a stronger Honda organization in the Philippines. By unifying our manufacturing and parts oper...

Julie’s, the country’s largest neighborhood bakeshop, celebrates its 45th year by renewing its commitment to feed Filipino families nationwide with freshly baked and affordable bread.   The bakeshop welcomed the milestone year with a grand celebration in Cebu, where Julie’s also recognized the significant contribution of its suppliers, partners, and franchise owners.   In his speech, Julie’s President and CEO Joseph Gandionco asserted his continuing dedication to his mother’s values. “Without my Mama Julie, whose bold vision, steadfast determination, and boundless generosity laid the cornerstone of Julie’s, none of these would have been possible. It is her legacy that continues to guide every step we take,” he said.   Julie’s President and CEO Joseph Gandionco currently leads the bakeshop founded by his mother, Julie, and continues her mission of feeding Filipino families with fresh bread. Julie’s President and CEO Joseph Gandionco currently leads the bakeshop founded by...

  TCL Edelweiss Land launches at Milan Central Station, showcasing innovation in the heart of the city   TCL, a leading global technology company and a Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Partner, celebrated the opening of the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 with the launch of its “It’s Your Greatness” campaign and the inauguration of its creative showcase, TCL Edelweiss Land, at the Piazza Duca d’Aosta in front of Milan Central Station. Key guests attended the opening on 5 February, including Kirsty Coventry, President of the International Olympic Committee, Kevin Wang, CEO, TCL Technology, and Dr. Yan, CTO of TCL Technology and CTO of TCL CSOT.   The initiative comes at a time when technology partners are becoming increasingly important to global sporting events, with brands playing a more integral role in the infrastructure behind how the Olympic Games are delivered and experienced.   TCL firmly believes in the power of sport to inspire and unite people acro...

  From powerful daily commutes to purified indoor living — elevate everything   You’ve upgraded your home. Invested in new interiors, cleaner lines, better materials, but a true modern upgrade goes beyond aesthetics. It’s about optimizing how you move through your day and how you breathe within your space. The Xiaomi Electric Scooter 6 Series redefines daily commuting with purposeful engineering that turns routine travel into a refined experience. Priced at Php 22,999 the Xiaomi Electric Scooter 6 delivers up to 800W peak power on the Electric Scooter 6 and strong climbing capability of up to 18%, you gain effortless acceleration and confident hill performance, while the extended 45km range supports longer urban journeys without constant recharging. Its dual front-and-rear suspension system, combined with large 12-inch tubeless tires, increases ground contact and stability, reducing vibration and delivering smoother control over speed bumps, gravel and uneven roads resulting ...

  Kaspersky warns that sharing personal context with these tools can facilitate identity impersonation and social engineering attacks.   A new trend has gone viral on social media: users share a personal photo and ask Artificial Intelligence tools to create a caricature or illustration based on their life, their job, and “everything the AI knows” about them. The result showing animated versions of the person at the office, with their family, or representing their profession has become frequent content on Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn.   While the trend may seem creative and entertaining, cybersecurity specialists warn that this practice can expose personal information and enable the creation of personalized, large-scale fraudulent messages, a very real threat today.   According to Kaspersky experts, this type of request does not work like a simple visual filter. To achieve more accurate images, people allow AI tools to access all the information associated with the...

Global electronics leader and the Philippines' top-selling TV brand, TCL, recently convened its key AC partners at the Marriott Grand Ballroom for a Commercial Partners showcase spanning from February 2-5, 2026. The convention, titled “AIrfinite Possibilities,” focused on the brand’s vision for delivering smarter comfort and healthier home environments through its industry-leading air conditioning line.   The convention spotlighted TCL’s forward-looking vision of delivering smarter comfort and healthier home environments through its industry-leading air conditioning innovations. Nearly 500 valued partners attended the exclusive gathering, underscoring the strength of TCL’s growing AC network and the shared commitment driving the brand’s continued expansion in the category.   Throughout the event, partners were formally recognized for their steadfast support and vital contributions to TCL’s remarkable growth—particularly in the air conditioning segment, which continues to gain ...

Leading global AI smart devices provider HONOR Philippines just announced its newest smartphone HONOR X5c Plus through a partnership with Shopee Philippines. Combining a sleek design, ultra-long battery life, expansive storage, advanced AI camera capabilities, and a vibrant display, the HONOR X5c Plus empowers users to unlock their potential, setting a new benchmark in the entry-level smartphone category. Now available exclusively on Shopee for just Php 4,999: https://bit.ly/Shop_X5cPlus_PR .   “We’re excited to introduce the HONOR X5c Plus to the Philippine market — a smartphone that brings exceptional battery life, reliable performance, and value-for-money features to everyday users. And we are as proud to partner with Shopee Philippines in bringing this new phone closer to our customers nationwide,” said HONOR Philippines Vice President Stephen Cheng.   Symmetry and Simplicity in Design The HONOR X5c Plus redefines elegance with its symmetrical, minimalist design, featurin...

  LG webOS-Powered TV Users Can Jump Into Immersive Gameplay, With Exclusive Single Titles, Games Playable With Magic Remote or LG Mobile Gamepad app   LG Electronics (LG) is rolling out new games on its LG Gaming Portal,1 providing LG Smart TV users with a greater selection of titles, all playable directly on the screen without the need for additional devices. The expanded lineup demonstrates LG’s commitment to broadening its gaming ecosystem and evolving the Gaming Portal into the ultimate destination for compelling gaming experiences.   LG continues to expand its Gaming Portal by offering more than 4,000 cloud-based games and 600 casual titles, presenting compelling gaming experiences directly on LG Smart TVs. By delivering elevated, device-free ga...