Bell-Kenz Pharma, Philippine Sports Commission Join Forces to Equip Athletes with Life Saving Skills

In a major push to strengthen emergency preparedness in Philippine sports, Bell-Kenz Pharma and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) joined forces to equip the country’s sports community with life-saving skills of Hands Only CPR through Sagip CPR, Bell-Kenz Pharma’s flagship advocacy.

 

The initiative draws inspiration from the experience of basketball legend Samboy Lim, whose cardiac arrest during an exhibition game in 2014 helped highlight the critical importance of immediate emergency response that contributed to the passage of  Republic Act No. 10871, or the Basic Life Support Training in Schools Act, popularly known as the Samboy Lim Law.

 

Anchored in this legislation, Bell-Kenz Pharma, together with the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Department of Health (DOH), National Youth Commission, Philippine Life Saving, and the Philippine Coast Guard, conducted Hands-Only CPR and drowning-response training for national athletes, para-athletes, and coaches at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

 

Patrick Larraga, Head of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs of Bell-Kenz Pharma, said the partnership reflects the company's commitment to making life-saving skills more accessible to Filipinos, “we are happy to be working with the Philippine Sports Commission, the National Youth Commission, Philippine Life Saving, the Philippine Coast Guard, and the Department of Health in advancing this important initiative. Through Sagip CPR, we hope to equip our athletes, coaches, and the broader sports community with the knowledge and confidence to respond to emergencies.”

 

PSC Chairman Patrick Gregorio graced the opening of the program, underscoring the Commission’s support for strengthening life-saving readiness and emergency preparedness within the Philippine sports community, “ If we want to grow our water sports in the country, this is what we need to do. “

 

Walter Francis Torres, Commissioner of the Philippine Sports Commission, emphasized, “ Our goal is to empower the sports community to be first responders, underscoring the value of equipping athletes, coaches, and sports personnel with practical life-saving skills that can make a difference when every second counts.”

 

Aligning with national health objectives, Dr. Alexis Dimapilis from the Department of Health noted, “the goal of the Department of Health is to have at least one member of each family oriented in CPR .”

 

Reflecting on the deeper purpose of the advocacy and partnership with PSC,  Mr. Larraga emphasized “in sports, we celebrate the victories that happen on the playing field. But there is no greater victory than saving a life. Being a champion is not just about winning games—it is also about having the ability to save lives. “

 

An Essential Skill and Sustainable Livelihood

 

A key highlight of the drowning module tests the athletes on preventive measures and proper procedures for responding to drowning emergencies. These skills are not only crucial in CPR, but are key skills for other roles.

 

In addition to Bell-Kenz Pharma and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), the initiative is supported by Philippine Life Saving, an internationally recognized organization that provides lifeguard certifications and promotes best practices in water safety and rescue operations.

 

Philippine Life Saving’s work also demonstrates how water-safety training can create opportunities for sustainable livelihoods. In Panglao, Bohol, former fishermen were trained in aquatic rescue operations and developed skills to work as scuba divers at popular marine attractions. Emphasizing the long term impact of this partnership Mr. Danilo Salonga Jr., Philippine Life Saving, said  “we are committed to produce 75,000 lifesavers”.

 

This underscores how emergency preparedness can extend beyond immediate crisis response, contributing to safer aquatic destinations and opening pathways to livelihood opportunities for communities that depend on tourism.

 

As sports organizations, government institutions, and private-sector work together, the initiative reinforces the importance of shared responsibility in protecting lives—whether in stadiums, training facilities, sports complexes, or other public spaces.

 

For more information about Bell-Kenz Sagip CPR, visit https://www.bell-kenz.net/

 

foodpanda Now Delivers Exclusive S&R Finds and Member’s Value Favorites Straight to Your Doorstep—No Membership Card Needed

Stocking up on imported snacks, premium pantry staples, and bulk household essentials no longer requires braving holiday checkout queues or carrying a physical membership card.

 

foodpanda Philippines has expanded its grocery catalog with the addition of S&R Membership Shopping, bringing warehouse retailer’s curated selection of imported goods and household favorites directly to customers’ doorsteps. 

 

Through the foodpanda app, any shopper can now order S&R’s sought-after house brand, Member’s Value—from premium meats, cheeses, and pantry ingredients to laundry detergents and paper products—alongside hard-to -find international beverages, snacks, and party platters. The partnership gives non-members immediate access to S&R exclusives without prior enrollment, while active members enjoy the convenience of on-demand delivery without leaving home

 

While non-members will see a nominal surcharge fee on their orders, the platform offers an accessible, zero-friction trial of S&R’s premium product lineup, serving as an easy preview for shoppers before renewing or securing their regular membership in-store.

 

The rollout arrives just in time for peak holiday planning, providing Filipino households with convenient options for their weekly pantry restocks to Noche Buena preparations.

“Grocery shopping is no longer just about where people buy their essentials, but having the flexibility to shop in ways that fit their routines and needs,” said Joseph Wijesekara, Director of Q-Commerce of foodpanda Philippines. “Digital platforms play a critical role in easing that load, especially during peak seasons when shoppers are juggling massive shopping lists and packed schedules. Through our partnership with S&R, we're helping households tick off from holiday checklists faster and make Christmas delicious without the hassle.”

The collaboration has quickly generated buzz online across local lifestyle and bargain-hunting communities. Savvy shoppers have taken to social media to share their hauls, with some showing how foodpanda promos slashed up to ₱10,000 off large grocery runs ahead of the holidays.

To mark the launch of the partnership, foodpanda is rolling out exclusive introductory vouchers. First-time S&R buyers on the platform can enjoy ₱500 off with a minimum spend of ₱2,500 using the code S&RFP500, while returning shoppers can save Php 300 on orders of Php2,500.00 or more using the code S&RMORE, redeemable up to two times per user.

S&R stores are now live and accessible under the “Shops” tab on the foodpanda app across serviceable areas nationwide.

 

Lenovo Expands AI Library with Proven, Validated Use Cases to Accelerate Business Outcomes and Drive Greater Value Per Token New ent

Lenovo has expanded the Lenovo AI Library with new, validated AI use cases, extending its portfolio of enterprise-ready solutions that can help organizations move from AI experimentation to measurable business outcomes up to 24x faster1 than custom-built implementations. Now available through the Lenovo AI Library, the added use cases provide proven starting points to accelerate AI deployments and realize returns from investments sooner. Alongside the expansion, new research conducted by The Futurum Group and Signal65 validates how Lenovo’s AI Library, infrastructure and services can help enterprises optimize AI economics for greater value per token as deployments scale.

Lenovo’s AI Library additions address high-impact enterprise and industry use cases, helping organizations boost workforce productivity, modernize IT operations, elevate customer service, and turn operational data into actionable intelligence:

• Lenovo AI Computer Vision for Retail transforms video and operational data into insights that can help retailers reduce customer wait times, optimize branch staffing, identify underutilized space and improve service efficiency. One of Europe’s largest retail banks is deploying Lenovo’s edge-based computer vision technology across its 4,500 branch locations to generate real-time operational intelligence, with the solution designed to support the bank’s privacy, security and regulatory requirements. Projected outcomes include up to 90% better decision-making, up to 95% digitization of processes, and up to 99% fewer manual activities associated with compliance data2.

• Lenovo AI Computer Vision for Manufacturing transforms existing video feeds into critical insights, designed to help manufacturers identify workplace hazards up to 30% sooner and reduce accident-related costs by up to 20%. By enabling greater operational visibility, the solution can help organizations strengthen safety compliance while improving workforce productivity.

• Lenovo Super Agent for Contact Center combines conversational AI, enterprise knowledge, and customer service systems to automate support workflows, accelerate issue resolution and improve agent productivity, designed to help reduce average handling time by up to 38%.

• Lenovo Enterprise AI Claw for Personal Productivity empowers employees to automate repetitive tasks, accelerate research and synthesize information to generate faster insights and improve decision-making, freeing time to focus on higher-value work. 

• Lenovo Enterprise AI Claw for ITOps applies prebuilt AI skills to automate IT operations and service workflows, reduce manual operational effort, and accelerate issue resolution.

VIDEO: LENOVO AI LIBRARY

These additions build on how the Lenovo AI Library turns solutions proven in real operating environments into customer-ready use cases. Lenovo validates the architectures, integrations and operating requirements behind what works, then applies that experience so customers can customize solutions to their own data, workflows, governance and environment. According to The Futurum Group, the repeatable, pre-validated use cases in the Lenovo AI Library reduce deployment complexity and risk, helping customers accelerate time to value.

The Lenovo Knowledge Super Agent provides the clearest proof of that process. In a production deployment supporting 3,000 Lenovo employees, independent analysis found that it reduced time spent retrieving knowledge by 30%, enabled sales teams to prepare customer proposals twice as fast, reduced escalations to subject-matter experts by 35%, and was estimated to represent up to $17 million in potential annual productivity value3. 

Available as a customer-ready use case in the Lenovo AI Library, the Lenovo Knowledge Super Agent was foundational to the FIFA AI Pro solution delivered during the FIFA World Cup 2026™, giving all 48 teams access to AI-powered football intelligence across more than 2,000 performance metrics, with actionable insights produced in minutes instead of days. 

VIDEO: LENOVO KNOWLEDGE SUPER AGENT

New Research Connects Faster Outcomes to Better AI Economics

New research from The Futurum Group provides broader context for AI economics. In From Cost Per Token to Value Per Token: The AI Factory Imperative, analysts distinguish between cost per token, a measure of GPU efficiency of producing and delivering AI output, and value per token, the business impact that output enables. With 78% of organizations expecting AI budgets to increase over the next 12 months and 35% identifying infrastructure cost as a primary barrier to expansion, the research argues that enterprises need to manage AI for both economic efficiency and productive business value. The Futurum Group connects the Lenovo AI Library directly to improved value per token: getting a validated use case into operation faster enables organizations to start measuring AI’s business impact through time savings, process improvements, faster decision-making, and other meaningful results.

“For organizations procuring AI infrastructure, the question is not only which hardware to buy, but how to make every AI token count.” — Nick Patience, Vice President and Practice Lead, AI Software and Tools, The Futurum Group

Analysis from Signal65 validates Lenovo's approach to moving enterprises from cost per token to value per token by combining proven Lenovo AI Library use cases, Hybrid AI Factory infrastructure, and lifecycle services into an integrated AI deployment model to accelerate business value. Lab insights found that at full utilization, Lenovo Hybrid AI Factory can deliver tokens at up to 70% lower cost than a hyperscaler’s API pricing. The on-premises configuration reached cost-per-token parity with API pricing at just over 30% utilization, demonstrating how right-sized infrastructure can improve the economics of sustained AI workloads4. 

Together, the new research and validated deployment evidence demonstrate how Lenovo Hybrid AI Advantage™ helps organizations connect AI investment and economic efficiency with business outcomes across the AI lifecycle. The Lenovo AI Library provides proven, outcome-oriented use cases and prebuilt solutions so customers don’t have to start from scratch, helping convert capacity investments into measurable value faster by reducing development time, complexity and risk; Lenovo Hybrid AI Factory brings together all the underlying technical elements of the AI stack: infrastructure and devices, data and knowledge, AI models and agent platforms needed to operationalize those solutions on a common foundation; and Lenovo AI Services delivers lifecycle expertise to help customers customize, deploy, scale and continuously optimize validated solutions as workload demands grow and economics evolve.

Through Lenovo AI Express, eligible Hybrid AI Factory configurations can ship in 15 business days5. Signal65 analysis shows that Lenovo AI Fast Start can then help organizations achieve a production-ready AI pilot and begin realizing business value in as little as 90 days of deployment, while Lenovo TruScale aligns capacity and consumption with changing demand over time. 

“As enterprise AI adoption continues to accelerate and scale, token consumption rises exponentially. Too often, that creates sticker shock before organizations can measure the return their AI investments are producing,” said Linda Yao, Vice President, Hybrid Cloud and AI Solutions, Lenovo. “Customers need to get to that business value faster, then continuously optimize the economics of AI behind the outcomes that matter. Lenovo helps enterprises do that across the AI lifecycle—from use case to deployment and beyond—to get the most out of AI and make every token count.”

Explore the expanded Lenovo AI Library, review The Futurum Group and Signal65 findings, and see proven AI use cases in action through the resources below.

Additional Resources

• Lenovo AI Library: web page | Overview Video

• Lenovo AI Library Use Cases – YouTube Video Playlist

• Lenovo AI Library eBook: Start proven. Move faster. 

• Futurum Research: From Cost Per Token to Value Per Token | Infographic

Signal65 Report: From Cost Per Token to Value Per Token: Validating the Economics of the Lenovo Hybrid AI Factory and Lenovo AI Library

 

Make Christmas Delicious for the One Who Makes It Happen

foodpanda puts the spotlight on the punong-abala this holiday season, helping make room at the table for the person who brings Christmas together

Christmas has a way of filling the house—and the calendar—very quickly. Between planning the menu, watching the budget, preparing the food, and accommodating last-minute guests, there's always someone making sure everything is ready for everyone: the punong-abala.

This holiday season, foodpanda is celebrating the punong-abala through its Make Christmas Delicious campaign, recognizing the people who bring every gathering together and reminding them that they deserve to enjoy the festivities, too.

Making room for the host, too

For many Filipinos, the handaan is an essential part of Christmas. From familiar family favorites to everyone's must-have dishes, food plays a big role in bringing people together. But preparing for the celebration can take time and effort, especially when there's a long list of things to take care of.

Through Make Christmas Delicious, foodpanda becomes part of the host's Christmas toolkit, offering a convenient way to get food and other essentials for the handaan while easing some of the work that goes into hosting.

“Christmas is one of the most anticipated celebrations for Filipinos, but for the people who take on the responsibility of bringing everyone together, it can also mean hours of preparation and making sure everyone is taken care of. Through Make Christmas Delicious, we want our home hosts to feel seen and appreciated, and give them more opportunities to enjoy the celebration, too. Whether it's having groceries delivered or ordering food for the handaan, foodpanda is here to lend a hand so the host can finally take their seat at the table,” said Patricia Jacinto, Growth & Marketing Director at foodpanda Philippines.

A little more room for something delicious

To make hosting a little easier, foodpanda is also offering customers ₱125 OFF on eligible orders using the code PASKONA, valid with varying minimum spends from selected restaurants.

It is a simple way to add something more to the spread—whether that means another family favorite, an extra dish for unexpected guests, or the food the host would rather order than spend more time preparing.

The goal isn't to take the punong-abala out of the preparations, but to make sure they don't miss out on the celebration. After all, the person making sure everyone has a place at the table deserves one, too.

Adding a sweet touch to the gathering, Red Ribbon Bakeshop supported the program by sharing its well-loved Chocolate Dedication Cakes with the participants of the event. The cake also serves as the inspiration for Red Ribbon’s upcoming Holiday Chocolate Dedication Cake, a festive seasonal variation launching on November 11 and available on foodpanda.

Spreading Holiday Cheer Beyond the Dinner Table

The spirit of appreciation extends beyond the home and into the communities that make the holidays possible.

This season, foodpanda is recognizing its delivery partners through Pau-nalo Holidays, a series of festive activities that include digital games and trivia, on-ground pop-up treats during shifts, wish-granting initiatives under Pau-nalo Spotlight, and major prizes through raffle.

foodpanda is also bringing holiday cheer to local communities across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao through partnerships with national agencies, LGUs, local merchants, the private sector and the academe. These efforts include medical missions, community feeding programs, in-kind donation drives, and employee-led volunteer days.

The people who make Christmas special deserve to experience its magic, too. This season, foodpanda is helping make that possible, one shared responsibility, thoughtful gesture, and delicious celebration at a time.

DICT, DOST, DTI, and QC join forces for Philippine Startup Week 2026

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and the Quezon City Local Government via StartupQC, officially opened Philippine Startup Week 2026 (PHSW26) today at the Quezon City M.I.C.E. Center. 

Running until November 12, the four-day national conference brings together founders, investors, corporate executives, and policymakers under the theme “Beyond Borders: Filipino Startups Navigating Our Future” to showcase Filipino startup capabilities, encourage knowledge exchange, and expand opportunities for investments, partnerships, and access to regional and global markets. 

As Chair of the Innovative Startup Act (ISA) Steering Committee for 2026–2028, DICT leads government efforts to strengthen the Philippine startup ecosystem through policy coordination, interagency collaboration, and partnerships with the private sector. Through PHSW 2026, DICT aims to connect startups with key ecosystem players and help them access the resources, expertise, and networks needed to develop and scale their ventures.

PHSW 2026 has also been accredited as an ASEAN side event in connection with the Philippines' ASEAN Chairship in 2026, placing Filipino startups within the broader Southeast Asian innovation landscape. This creates opportunities for local founders to connect with regional and international investors, technology leaders, entrepreneurs, and ecosystem enablers, giving homegrown innovations greater visibility in the regional startup community.

The partnership with the Quezon City Local Government, led by Mayor Ma. Josefina Tanya “Joy” Belmonte, through Startup QC, reinforces local government units’ role in building a dynamic and inclusive startup ecosystem. Through this collaboration, DICT, DTI, DOST, and Quezon City aim to strengthen the city’s role as an innovation and entrepreneurship hub while connecting local founders with wider industry and investment networks. This also highlights how national and local government initiatives can work together to make entrepreneurship support more accessible across communities.

At the Quezon City M.I.C.E. Center, PHSW 2026 will feature community-led and sector-focused activities organized by startup ecosystem partners and stakeholders, including specialized discussions, workshops, networking opportunities, and other programs that highlight the diversity and dynamism of the Philippine startup community.

Beyond the main venue, PHSW 2026 extends its reach through independently organized events led by startup ecosystem partners across the country. These satellite activities bring the conference’s discussions and initiatives closer to founders, innovators, and aspiring entrepreneurs outside Metro Manila, allowing them to participate in the broader national startup movement.

The participation of government agencies, industry partners, investors, academic institutions, and startup enablers reflects the shared commitment needed to build a competitive and inclusive startup ecosystem. Through their involvement in PHSW 2026, DICT, DTI, and DOST aim to help Filipino innovators turn ideas into viable ventures, develop solutions to emerging challenges, and gain access to the networks and support needed to bring their innovations to market.

As the Philippines continues to advance its digital economy, PHSW 2026 highlights the importance of sustained support for innovation and entrepreneurship. By bringing together key players across the startup landscape, the annual initiative helps create an environment where Filipino talent, homegrown technologies, and innovative solutions can gain wider recognition and find opportunities beyond the local market. 

Maya returns to PBB Collab 3.0, Giving Mayamayans More Ways to Save Their Favorite Housemates

New house, new Housemates, and more reasons to save! Maya returns as The Official Voting Partner of Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) Collab 3.0, giving Mayamayans the power to save their favorite Housemates while unlocking exclusive rewards and banking perks along the way.

This season brings a fresh twist to Bahay ni Kuya, with Housemates from the Kapamilya and Kapuso networks competing individually for the coveted Big Winner title. With new personalities, unexpected alliances, and exciting challenges ahead, fans can count on Maya to help them support their favorites every step of the way.

Representing the Kapamilya side are Robbie Jaworski, Nathan Garcia, Cianne Dominguez, Gehlee Dangca, Shea Valerio, Calix Esguerra, Jeo Ong, and Primo Alterado. Joining them from the Kapuso side are Anthony Constantino, Bela Arcal, Ethan Benares, Lans Nagal, Mikee Quintos, Nicole Fortuna, Raheel Bhyria, and Winwyn Marquez.

And with Maya back as the show's Official Voting Partner, supporting your favorite Housemate is just a few taps away.

First Vote? Maya's Got You!

Every vote counts, and with Maya, your first one comes with a little something extra.

New Mayamayans who sign up and upgrade their Maya account can enjoy 100% cashback on their first PBB vote, up to ₱50. That's more reason to show some love for your favorite Housemate, whether you're cheering for a familiar celebrity, rooting for a promising newcomer, or supporting the season's next breakout star.

Voting is easy! Simply open the Maya app, tap the PBB icon, choose your favorite Housemate, and cast your vote.

Save More with Maya, Support Your Favorites

Being a dedicated PBB fan doesn't mean putting your own savings goals on hold.

New Maya users can instantly unlock 15% interest p.a. when they deposit ₱1,000 from their Maya Wallet to Maya Savings in their first month. In the months that follow, they can continue earning up to 15% p.a. by completing qualifying everyday transactions. From paying bills and shopping online to making everyday purchases, Maya helps turn regular spending into opportunities to earn more on your savings.

 

Plus, new Maya Savings users can enjoy a FREE Maya Card with 1% cashback on every purchase when they open a Maya Savings account for the first time when they complete few qualifying activities, giving them another reason to kick start their savings journey.

Save or Spend? Maya Brings the Money Decisions Inside Bahay ni Kuya

The Maya experience doesn't stop at voting. Mayamayans can also look forward to the return of the much-anticipated Save or Spend task, where Housemates are challenged to make decisions that put their priorities, strategy, and teamwork to the test.

Beyond the fun and excitement, the challenge brings everyday money decisions into the spotlight, showing how choosing between saving and spending can make a difference.

New Season, New Favorites. Same Power to Save with Maya.

With a refreshed house, a new mix of personalities, and individual gameplay raising the stakes, PBB Collab 3.0 promises another exciting season for Filipino fans.

And whether you're cheering from home, joining the latest fan conversations, or casting that all-important vote, Maya makes it easier to support your favorites while getting more out of your money.

Catch Pinoy Big Brother Collab 3.0 on GMA Network every Monday to Friday at 9:35 PM, Saturdays at 6:15 PM, and Sundays at 4:55 PM. Fans can also stream the show on Kapuso Stream, ABS-CBN Entertainment's YouTube channel, and iWant. 

Novo and UNICEF expand partnership to support a healthier start for more than 80 million children

Novo Nordisk and UNICEF today announced a four-year expansion of their global partnership to help prevent childhood overweight and obesity, aiming to support a healthier start in life for more than 80 million children. Novo is committing USD 18 million from 2026 to 2030 to advance evidence-based policies and prevention services in seven priority countries. The expansion arrives at a turning point in global child health: childhood obesity has now surpassed underweight globally for the first time on record, according to UNICEF’s 2025 Child Nutrition Report.¹

From 2026 to 2030, the partnership will support governments to create environments that ensure healthier options are more accessible to children and families— from the food that is offered and promoted to children, to the schools, cities and health services they rely on every day.

“It is concerning that childhood obesity has surpassed underweight, affecting 1 in 10 school-aged children and adolescents globally,” said Kitty van der Heijden, Deputy Executive Director, Partnerships, UNICEF. “The moment to act is now. Through our partnership with Novo, UNICEF will work with governments to turn evidence into policies, build services, and create environments that protect children early, so every child has a fair chance to eat well, move, feel supported and grow up healthy.”

“Preventing childhood obesity requires long-term, collective action to create healthier environments for children,” said Elin Jäger, chief of staff and head of CEO Office, Corporate Strategy and Sustainability, Novo. “Through our continued partnership with UNICEF, we want to support proven prevention approaches that can become part of the systems children rely on every day, helping create healthier environments for more than 80 million children.”

Building on joint progress since 2019

Since 2019, Novo and UNICEF have helped raise childhood overweight and obesity from an under- recognised issue to a growing global policy and public health priority. Building on this foundation, the next phase of the partnership will deepen efforts in existing countries and expand to new contexts, combining evidence-based policy advocacy, technical assistance, youth-led advocacy and peer support, and social and behaviour change communication.

Scope of the expanded programme

The expanded programme will support action in Mexico, Colombia, Indonesia, the Philippines, India, Egypt and Kenya, while accelerating learning across regions. Interventions will include:

• Growth monitoring

• Nutrition and physical activity counselling

• Peer and family support

• Community- and facility-based prevention activities

• Youth advocacy

• Basic mental health screening and support

• Legislation to promote better diets and healthy food

Success will be measured by the number of children reached by evidence-based prevention policies and interventions. Progress and challenges will be reported transparently.

The scale of the challenge

Childhood overweight and obesity now affect around 35 million children under 5 and more than 391 million children and adolescents aged 5 to 19, with 81 per cent of them living in low- and middle- income countries.¹ The impacts can be immediate and lifelong, increasing the risk of early-onset type 2 diabetes and other non-communicable diseases, while also affecting children’s wellbeing through stigma and discrimination.

Delivery will be country-led and anchored in UNICEF’s Centres of Excellence model, led from Nairobi with satellite support in Bangkok and Panama.

For further information on the partnership and programme progress, visit novonordisk.com/sustainable-business and unicef.org

UNICEF does not endorse any company, brand, organisation, product or service.