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Looking for fresh new inspiration for your next OOTD? How about where to travel on your next vacation leave? Any trendy food to try in your free time? What current released gadgets and technologies can pique your interest? Worry no more because the metropolista has got you covered!

the metropolista delivers the latest news trends in the city! It has been our goal that this website provides fashion, travel, food, technology, news, and feature articles in the metro. So stay tuned for the following posts that keep you updated on the happenings around the metropolis!

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2GO Powers Mindanao’s Growth Story

Connectivity took center stage at the 35th Mindanao Business Conference, where 2GO, the country’s largest end-to-end transport and logistics provider, reaffirmed its role in driving the region’s next chapter of growth.

Speaking before business leaders, 2GO COO and CFO William Howell underscored that Mindanao is not a “peripheral story” but a core engine of the Philippine economy. From agriculture and fisheries to energy, manufacturing, mining, exports, and tourism, the region’s industries are poised for expansion—if connections are strengthened.

“Connectivity is not merely about moving goods and passengers. It is about enabling commerce, expanding access, attracting investments, and strengthening communities,” Howell said.

Why Connectivity Matters

Howell laid out four pillars shaping Mindanao’s economic advantage: industry, growth engines, connectivity, and tourism. The message was clear—products and people can only reach their full potential if the networks linking them to markets, customers, and opportunities are robust.

2GO’s Network in Action

    • Forwarding hubs: 93 nationwide, 18 in Mindanao, handling 1.5 million packages annually.
    • Sea Solutions: Serving seven Mindanao ports (Cagayan de Oro, Ozamiz, Butuan, Dipolog, Davao, General Santos, Zamboanga) and moving 2.5 million metric tons of cargo in 2025.
    • Specialized logistics: Cold chain, project logistics, e-commerce, and cross-docking for faster, smarter supply chains.
    • Passenger travel: 36 active routes nationwide, 18 connecting Mindanao, with 37 weekly voyages linking Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

Beyond Cargo, Building Communities

2GO’s integrated services go beyond freight. By connecting entrepreneurs, workers, tourists, and communities, the company positions itself as a partner in inclusive growth, not just a transport provider.

Looking Ahead

The conference theme—“Accelerating Inclusive Growth through Innovation and Sustainability”—placed connectivity at the heart of discussions on resilience, smart industry, energy transition, digital infrastructure, and MSME financing. For 2GO, the message is simple: Mindanao’s future depends on stronger links across the archipelago.

 

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SM Group Earns Six ESG Edge Impact Awards for Responsible Business

The SM Group received six recognitions at the 2026 Inquirer ESG Edge Impact Awards, reflecting its commitment to creating long-term value through investments in people, communities, and responsible business practices.

SM Investments Corporation Recognized for Social Impact

SM Investments Corporation (SM Investments), the parent company of the SM Group, received two Gold awards under the Social category.

    • The SM Sustainability School, a group-wide learning program, was recognized for building sustainability knowledge and leadership among nearly 100,000 employees.
    • The Community Health Systems initiative of SM Foundation earned Gold for improving healthcare access in underserved communities.

SM Investments also received a Silver award for embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) across the employee experience — from recruitment and development to workplace policies and community engagement.

“This recognition belongs to our people, who bring our values to life every day,” said Frederic C. DyBuncio, President and Chief Executive Officer of SM Investments.

Other SM Group Companies Honored

    • SM Retail received a Silver award under the Environment category for SM Green Finds, which helps customers identify products that support sustainable choices.
    • SM Prime won Gold in the Transformation category for its Waste-Free Future campaign, advancing waste reduction efforts.
    • BDO Foundation earned Silver in the Innovative Partnership category for its financial education programs, empowering communities with financial literacy.

Commitment to Responsible Business

Together, these awards reflect SM’s belief that responsible business is integrated into the way the group operates—from developing its people and supporting communities to enabling customers to make informed, sustainable choices.

Organised by the Inquirer Group of Companies, the ESG Edge Impact Awards recognise organisations that make meaningful contributions to environmental stewardship, social development, and good governance in the Philippines.

As Gold awardees, SM Investments and SM Prime will represent the Philippines at the Asia ESG Positive Impact Awards in Malaysia this November, showcasing Filipino leadership in sustainability on the regional stage.

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Diversifying Your Investment: How to Transition from Gold to Bitcoin

Gold, a reliable wealth safeguard, attracts investors seeking diverse investment options. Combining traditional assets with innovative digital options maximizes returns and secures financial futures.

Integrating digital gold into portfolios builds enduring wealth. This trend is gaining traction, with Asian countries holding 64.5% of global gold jewelry and bullion demand, as reported by The Economist. The World Gold Council also observed a surge in digital gold product popularity.

While traditional gold and stocks may limit returns, many investors view Bitcoin as a complementary asset to gold in a well-rounded portfolio.

Alden Paul Yburan, Head of GCrypto, explains that Filipinos seek ways to safeguard their money amidst financial pressures. GCash offers digital gold and curated cryptocurrency options alongside traditional assets, empowering users to build long-term financial resilience and maintain a balanced portfolio within a trusted platform.

Reasons behind gold investors’ interest in Bitcoin:

– Digital gold provides stability and inflation hedging, maintaining value during economic uncertainties.

– It eliminates the logistical complexities of physical ownership, such as visiting jewelers, substantial upfront cashouts, and secure vault storage.

Investors seeking accelerated portfolio growth are increasingly turning to Bitcoin, a decentralized digital asset that has emerged as one of the fastest-growing investments over the past five years, surpassing traditional funds and local stocks.

A Bitwise study reveals that incorporating a manageable amount of Bitcoin into a diversified portfolio consistently enhances risk-adjusted returns, allowing investors to increase potential returns without proportionally increasing overall risk.

Bitcoin’s global networks facilitate 24/7 trading, enabling convenient management or conversion of holdings from smartphones. Its price movements are generally independent of traditional markets, ensuring portfolio exposure to different market pressures simultaneously.

Yburan explains that Bitcoin and traditional markets complement each other. When traditional markets experience downturns, Bitcoin acts as a cushion, while when technology and digital adoption surge, Bitcoin serves as an accelerator.

Users can manage both digital gold and Bitcoin directly from their phones using GCrypto on GCash.

GCrypto makes acquiring digital gold accessible, starting at ₱500. Investors can grow their holdings at their own pace through small, consistent contributions. GOLD in GCrypto is fully insured, certified, and backed 1:1 by physical gold stored in high-security vaults in Switzerland. Investors can monitor, buy, or sell 24/7.

Yburan emphasizes that transitioning from gold to the broader cryptocurrency market is user-friendly. Growing investors can gain direct exposure to Bitcoin, one of the fastest-growing modern asset classes, without managing multiple external applications. GCrypto removes traditional barriers, enabling more Filipinos to build long-term financial resilience within a trusted platform.

GCrypto offers a comprehensive resource, A Beginner’s Guide to Crypto, within the app to help users understand Bitcoin and other major tokens.

GCrypto’s carefully curated token selection ensures market strength and credibility, helping users avoid scams and ‘rug pulls.’

Unlike traditional investments, GCrypto offers a more accessible option. With GOLD in GCrypto, users can start exploring Bitcoin and supplement their digital gold investments for as low as ₱500.

Upgrading financial strategies doesn’t mean abandoning proven methods. It’s about expanding investment choices for financial peace of mind and potential wealth growth.

Ready to start your cryptocurrency investment journey? Open the GCash app, go to the Invest tab, and select GCrypto. Download the GCash App from the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, or Huawei App Gallery. Kaya mo, i-GCash mo!

The information provided is for informational purposes only and doesn’t constitute financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified financial professional before making investment decisions. Remember, all investments carry risks, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance isn’t indicative of future results. Any reliance on the information is at your own risk.

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SM Remains on Track to Cut Emissions by 40% by 2040

SM Investments Corporation, the parent company of the SM Group, said it remains on track to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2040, supported by investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and other initiatives across its businesses.

Speaking at a recent MUFG NOW Manila forum, “Pathways to a Sustainable Future: Opportunities and Challenges,” Timothy Daniels, consultant and head of sustainability and investor relations at SM Investments, said the company’s emissions reduction goal builds on years of investment in efficiency and renewable energy across the group.

“When we looked at our emissions, we identified where we could make meaningful reductions and developed a target supported by specific programs and investments. We wanted a goal that reflects what we can achieve based on actions we are taking today,” Daniels said.

“For us, sustainability helps reduce costs, improve reliability, and make our operations more resilient. It’s simply part of how we run the business.”

Across the group, SM has installed more than 200,000 solar panels on its properties, helping generate electricity and reduce dependence on grid power.

Carmen Copper Corporation’s floating solar facility at the Malubog Reservoir

Its mining subsidiary, Carmen Copper Corporation, operates a three-hectare floating solar facility at the Malubog Reservoir in Cebu. The facility’s 8,540 solar panels generate 4.99 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy that could potentially supply about 10% of the mine’s power needs.

SM has also expanded its renewable energy investments through Philippine Geothermal Production Company (PGPC), which operates geothermal steam fields in South Luzon.

Beyond its own operations, the group is helping support the country’s energy transition through BDO Unibank. To date, BDO has deployed approximately Php1.2 trillion in sustainable financing, including support for 71 renewable energy projects with a combined capacity of 6,165 MW.

Daniels noted that some of the largest emissions reductions will depend on the broader shift to renewable energy. While companies can improve efficiency, install solar panels, and use renewable power, progress also depends on the availability of renewable energy, transmission infrastructure, and grid development.

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50 Years of Finding Ways to Make Your Dreams Possible

BDO celebrates golden anniversary with a thanksgiving raffle

Financial milestones come in many forms. A first paycheck deposited into a savings account. The keys to a family’s first home. A small business finally opening. A child’s college fund is slowly growing. A retirement nest egg built over decades.

For 50 years, BDO has been a part of many of these stories. 

Growing with Filipino Dreams

Over five decades, BDO has grown alongside generations of Filipinos and the financial goals that matter to them. The young saver who opened a first account is now the parent saving for his child’s education. The entrepreneur who started with a small business went on to employ others. Families built homes, prepared for emergencies, planned for retirement, and passed on money lessons to the next generation.

Through all these milestones, one thing has remained constant: BDO’s commitment to find ways to help clients move closer to their goals. 

A Golden Thank You

As BDO marks its golden year, it is choosing to celebrate the people who helped shape its journey: its clients. It is also saying thank you in a way that gives customers even more reason to celebrate.

BDO is launching its 50th Anniversary Raffle, giving more than 250 customers the chance to win exciting prizes, including brand-new hybrid cars that help reduce fuel costs and emissions, along with SM Gift Passes for shopping.

To join, new clients can open a qualified account, register online once, and maintain the required balance for BDO Unibank or BDO Network Bank to earn raffle entries. Existing clients can also earn raffle entries by adding to their deposits and completing the one-time online registration.

The promo runs from August to December 2026 and features five raffle draws, with the fifth and final draw serving as the Grand Draw in January 2027 for eligible August to December participants.

 

Draw Raffle Prizes Eligible Period Raffle Draw Date
First Monthly Draw ·      50 winners of P5K SM Gift Passes August 1

to 31, 2026

 September 14, 2026
Second Monthly Draw ·      50 winners of P5K SM Gift Passes September 1

to 30, 2026

 October 14, 2026
Third Monthly Draw ·       1 winner of Toyota Ativ Hybrid Car

·       50 winners of P5K SM Gift Passes

 October 1

to 31, 2026

 November 14, 2026
Fourth Monthly Draw ·       1 winner of Toyota Ativ Hybrid Car

·       50 winners of P5K SM Gift Passes

 November 1

to 30, 2026

 December 14, 2026
Grand Draw ·       3 winners of Toyota Ativ Hybrid Car

·       50 winners of P5K SM Gift Passes

 August 1

to December 31, 2026

 January 14, 2027

 

The Next 50 Years

Fifty years is a long time, and much has changed in the way Filipinos manage money.

Transactions that once required a trip to the branch can now be completed online or through a mobile phone. Payments have become faster. Access to financial products has expanded. Customers today expect banking to keep pace with the way they live, work, and manage their money.

Financial dreams have changed, too. For one generation, success may have meant owning a home and securing a pension. Younger Filipinos today may be saving for travel, building an emergency fund, launching a side business or investing to gain more financial freedom. 

Tomorrow’s dreams may look different. And while the goals may change, the need for a trusted financial partner remains.

That is why BDO continues to evolve alongside its clients, finding ways to make banking simpler, more accessible, and more responsive to what they need today and what they hope to achieve tomorrow.

Because after 50 years, Filipinos are still dreaming. And BDO is still finding ways.

The promo runs from August to December 2026. To join, open a new BDO or BDO Network Bank account or top-up your existing account.

Register online here:  https://www.bdo.com.ph/forms/50th-anniversary-raffle-registration

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2GO Brings Cebu Business Community Together to Strengthen Connectivity for Tourism and Trade

2GO, the country’s leading integrated transportation and logistics provider, gathered members of the Cebu business community, industry experts, and policymakers for a strategic forum dedicated to leveraging stronger connectivity that can sustain the region’s momentum across trade, tourism, and economic growth.

In partnership with the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) and in coordination with the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) Region VII, 2GO hosted a dialogue with key regional stakeholders to discuss Central Visayas’ economic outlook and the vital role of modern supply chain networks in linking businesses to markets and travelers to key destinations.

“We want to hear your pain points and identify your areas of growth so we can co-create solutions together,” said 2GO Marketing Business Unit Head Ethel Concepcion, underscoring the company’s dedication to sustained dialogue and collaborations that enable long-term progress for regional trade and tourism sectors.

“When connectivity improves, businesses can move products faster and more efficiently. Tourism destinations become more accessible, supply chains build resilience, and new markets open,” said CCCI President Regan Rex King. “A stronger Cebu requires stronger connections, and those links begin with meaningful cross-sector alignment.”

The partnership reflects the shared commitment of 2GO and CCCI to foster a holistic economic framework. Through its expansive multimodal network, 2GO bridges trade routes across the Philippines while collaborating with local organizations to unlock regional opportunities.

Highlighting the region’s trajectory, DEPDev Region VII Assistant Regional Director Evelyn Nacario-Castro presented an outlook emphasizing Central Visayas’ transition toward a more diversified and interconnected economy. Ranked as the country’s fourth-largest regional economy in 2025, Central Visayas is advancing toward modernized transit and freight infrastructure, backed by 90 strategic high-impact projects (SHIPs) scheduled in 2027.

The forum held an executive panel titled “Strengthening Connectivity for Tourism, Trade, and Regional Growth,” featuring insights from King alongside 2GO leaders Francis John Chua (Travel), Faye Allonzo (Forwarding), and Sharon Musngi-Ngo (Sea Solutions).

With logistics playing a pivotal role in accelerating regional development, 2GO reaffirmed its commitment to deepening ties with commercial enterprises, government bodies, and trade groups to build reliable connections across Central Visayas.