Are you paying too many cash-in fees? Are you responsible for managing both bill payments and convenience charges? Do you wish you could use your debit or credit card for shopping even if you’ve left the physical plastic at home?
If you said yes to one, two, or all three, it’s time to download and sign up for BDO Pay, a payment app that allows users to scan, send, and pay without having to cash in. Your chosen bank accounts or credit cards automatically link to the app.
To start enjoying the benefits of BDO Pay, simply download the app from the App Store, Google Play Store, or Huawei AppGallery. BDO Pay is easy to access, whatever brand of smartphone you own.
If you already have a BDO Online account, you can simply sign in using your BDO Online username and password—no registration is needed. BDO Pay will automatically reflect bank accounts and credit cards connected to your BDO Online account. You also have the option of linking and unlinking your choice of cards on BDO Pay anytime.
If you don’t have a BDO Online account yet, registering for BDO Pay is easy. Simply click ‘Sign-up’ and input the bank account and/or credit card you would like to use. Once your details are in, enter your preferred username and password, then log in with these credentials. Enable biometrics, set up your passkey, and select your default payment and receiving accounts.
From there, enjoy the benefits of BDO Pay, the app that finds ways to make everyday payments simple and hassle-free.
SCAN TO PAY. Simply scan QR codes using the app to make payments to merchants nationwide. The Scan to Pay feature prevents wrong account transfers or fraudulent cash-ins and cash-outs. With no need to cash in, BDO Pay saves you from awkward moments at the counter when you realize you don’t have enough funds in your mobile wallet.
SEND MONEY. Easily send money to other BDO accounts for free or to other banks or e-wallets for a low P10 fee when using InstaPay. With BDO Pay, transferring funds is convenient with no extra step of cashing in.
PAY BILLS. Easily settle your bills by paying over 1,800 billers directly from your BDO account or credit cards, all without any convenience fee. There’s no need to cash in!
REQUEST MONEY. Quickly request money from other BDO Pay users and watch the funds credited to your account in an instant. You can also track requests you’ve made or granted under the Manage Requests list.
SPLIT BILL. When dining or shopping as a group, you can easily split bills among family and friends. You will notify each person about the amount they need to pay. Split the bill equally or customize the amount for each person.
ACTIVATE BDO REWARDS. BDO bank account owners automatically qualify for BDO Rewards. Activate your Rewards Card on BDO Pay and start earning points that you can redeem for eGCs or convert to cash credit. You can also browse through various deals and discounts on BDO Pay.
Backed by the country’s leading bank, BDO Pay keeps your money safe and secure, so you can make digital payments with confidence. You have access to both online and offline customer support channels in case you have any queries or worries.
Enchanted Kingdom, the first and only world-class theme park in the Philippines, is set to bring even more enchanting experiences to all Filipinos for its 30th anniversary, as it temporarily closes two of its major rides, the Space Shuttle and AGILA The EKsperience, from July 1 to September 30, 2025.
EK President and Chairman Cesar Mario O. Mamon shared that the major enhancement and upgrade of the two attractions are at the forefront of their ongoing park revitalization and commitment to providing more magical experiences to all parkgoers.
“Beyond our steadfast pursuit of introducing new enchanting experiences, we are also dedicated to reimagining and reengineering our existing attractions, ensuring that multi-generational guests will be forever enchanted this 2025 and the years to come,” he furthered.
We expect both attractions to reopen as part of EK’s 30th anniversary celebration in October.
The iconic rollercoaster ride, Space Shuttle, is one of EK’s legacy rides, which has been bringing thrill and excitement ever since the theme park opened its gates to the public in 1995. Aside from its signature twists and turns, the upgrade will feature a new loading and unloading experience, along with more efficient operation and monitoring of the ride.
AGILA The EKsperience, the first and only flying theater in the Philippines, has been the cornerstone of EK’s magical and educational entertainment, catering to over half a million students each year. Parkgoers experience a magical journey soaring on the wings of the Philippine eagle to witness the most iconic destinations in the country.
The reopening of AGILA will elevate learning and entertainment to new heights as it delves further into advancing awareness of environmental responsibility and sustainability.
In addition to these, EK is diligently restoring and improving all its other themed areas, attractions, and facilities, setting the stage for its milestone celebration on October 18 and 19.
Guests can still enjoy the theme park’s more than 30 rides and attractions, including EKlipse, its newest family thrill ride and the first of its kind in Southeast Asia. Various enchanting events and offerings are also in store for everyone as EK continues to be the premier theme park in the country.
For more information and updates regarding these, along with EK’s other events and offers, visit https://www.enchantedkingdom.ph and EK’s official social media accounts @enchantedkingdom.ph for Facebook and TikTok, and @ek_philippines for Instagram.
Take a sip, dazzle, and dazzle some more. Maria Clara Sparkling Sangria, a sparkling spin on the original Filipino sangria, is a new addition to the brand’s legacy.
Last June 10, 2025, Azadore Restaurant, Sacred Heart, Quezon City, launched this exciting new variation, delighting both loyal fans and new drinkers. Maria Clara Sparkling Sangria is lively, refreshing, and celebration-ready with its signature sweet red wine and citrus hint heightened by a brilliant fizz.
The new Sparkling Sangria, in a compact 330-ml aluminium can, is light, vibrant, and easy to drink from the fridge, on ice, or from the can. Its 7% ABV (14 proof) is perfect for sunny days, spontaneous hangouts, rooftop sunsets, and cosy nights in.
For busy people, its ready-to-drink format is ideal. No corkscrew needed; Maria Clara Sparkling Sangria is a delightful, simple solution for meetings, events, and weekends.
Maria Clara Sangria’s creative assortment includes the classic red wine favorite since 1985, the non-alcoholic Virgin Sangria, and the halal-certified Maria Clara Punch, created to open more communities to the celebration.
7-Eleven locations countrywide sell Maria Clara Sparkling Sangria exclusively.
Destileria Limtuaco & Co., Inc., the country’s oldest distillery and maker of White Castle Whisky, El Hombre Tequila Flavoured Spirit, and Napoleon VSOP Brandy, proudly produces this sparkling sangria as another milestone in its legacy of innovation and Filipino pride.
In Partnership with Mountain Man to Promote Indigenous Flavors and Culture in Baguio
Nestled in the cool climes of Baguio City, John Hay Hotels redefines hospitality by embracing Cordillera culture and community empowerment through its vibrant partnership with Mountain Man, the culinary brand of the famed Romawac family that is deeply rooted in indigenous food heritage.
Landco Lifestyle Ventures (LLV), the hospitality arm of Landco Pacific Corporation, a subsidiary of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, helmed by Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan, manages John Hay Hotels and leads this exciting collaboration. LLV commits not only to elevating guest experiences but also to fostering sustainable growth and welfare within the local community.
“Our vision is to create lifestyle destinations that not only showcase the natural beauty and culture of their locations but also actively contribute to the sustainability and prosperity of the local communities. Through partnerships like this with Mountain Man, we ensure that the heritage and traditions of the Cordilleras are honored and that our support helps uplift local SMEs, preserving their livelihoods for generations to come,” Patrick C. Gregorio, Head of Landco Lifestyle Ventures, emphasizes this holistic approach.
“We are also deeply committed to responsible tourism that empowers people. At John Hay Hotels, we don’t just want to offer visitors a beautiful place to stay—we want to build a thriving ecosystem where culture, community, and commerce grow hand in hand. This means supporting our local suppliers, providing fair wages and benefits to our colleagues, and creating memorable experiences that celebrate Baguio and the Cordilleras authentically,” Gregorio adds.
The Mountain Man’s signature open-fire Cordilleran dining experience on Saturdays at the Garden Wing of John Hay Hotels perfectly exemplifies this vision—offering guests an authentic, immersive taste of Cordillera heritage while supporting local farmers, fishermen, and artisans. Through this synergy, LLV and Mountain Man jointly nurture a sustainable hospitality ecosystem that honours culture, uplifts local communities, and delivers unforgettable experiences.
John Hay Hotels pays homage to Cordillera cuisine with local culinary master Mountain Man; and supports SMEs through sourcing of local ingredients.
A Culinary Journey Deeply Rooted in Cordillera Identity
Mountain Man, led by lakay ken baket, husband and wife Chavi and Millie Romawac, together with their family, is much more than a dining concept. It is the manifestation of a lifelong journey dedicated to preserving Cordillera’s indigenous culinary practices—many of which generations of elders and local communities have passed down. Their work began during the challenging pandemic years when they traveled extensively throughout the Cordillera provinces to document heirloom recipes, open-fire cooking techniques, and the cultural narratives that give these dishes meaning.
“We see food as a living story, a bridge connecting the past to the present,” shares Chavi. “Our goal is to keep these traditions alive not just as cultural artifacts but as everyday experiences that people can taste, share, and celebrate.”
“We are very happy to partner with Landco Lifestyle Ventures because we share a passion and commitment to uplifting Cordillera culture and communities. Their support enables us to bring indigenous cuisine to a wider audience while ensuring that the local farmers and artisans who make it possible are respected and valued,” Millie enthuses.
Their ‘Roofdeck Kitchen’ in Baguio has become a cultural hub where ancestral recipes meet contemporary sensibilities. This heritage now generously reaches guests at John Hay Hotels, where open-fire dinners recreate authentic Cordillera meals using locally sourced, sustainable ingredients—directly benefiting indigenous farmers and small-scale producers.
John Hay Hotels guests can savor iconic Cordillera dishes such as:
• Hinanglag — a slow-cooked pork belly inspired by Kiangan traditions, cooked in its own fat until tender and flavorful
• Pinikpikan-style Baguio Chicken Rice — featuring the indigenous chicken preparation ritual that tenderizes the meat and enhances its flavor
• Mountain Man Clambake — combining locally foraged watercress and fresh seafood from Pangasinan, bridging mountain and coastal culinary traditions
• Heirloom rice dishes made with grains from Ifugao farmers, paired with indigenous vegetables from Benguet and traditional condiments
These dishes are not merely food but living expressions of Cordillera culture, reflecting indigenous rituals, storytelling, and community values passed down through generations. The open-fire cooking technique stands as a sacred practice, symbolizing a deep connection to the land and ancestral traditions.
By sourcing directly from local small-scale producers and honoring traditional culinary methods, Mountain Man and Landco Lifestyle Ventures promote not only sustainable tourism but also the preservation and celebration of Cordillera identity, empowering indigenous communities to keep their culture alive and thriving.
An Invitation to Experience Cordillera’s Rich Heritage
John Hay Hotels invites locals and visitors alike to experience this unique culinary and cultural journey every Saturday evening at The Manor’s Garden Wing. The Mountain Man open-fire dinners provide a rare opportunity to savor the flavors of the Cordilleras while supporting a sustainable ecosystem that honors heritage, empowers communities, and fosters genuine connections.
“We hope each guest leaves with more than just a meal,” says Millie Romawac.
“They take home a story, a memory, and a piece of Cordillera’s soul.”
Rediscover Landco Lifestyle Ventures managed John Hay Hotels for leading sustainable tourism and gastronomy in Baguio.
Sustainable Tourism: Celebrating Culture, Cuisine, and Active Lifestyles
Sustainability is at the core of Landco Lifestyle Ventures’ strategy for John Hay Hotels, where every initiative benefits the environment, local communities, and the broader tourism ecosystem. The Mountain Man partnership exemplifies sustainable dining tourism, sourcing heirloom rice from Ifugao farmers, fresh vegetables from Benguet growers, and seafood from nearby coastal provinces. This approach enriches the guest experience with authentic flavors while ensuring economic benefits flow directly to indigenous farmers, fishermen, and artisans—helping preserve their livelihoods and traditional practices.
Complementing this culinary tourism is John Hay Hotels’ growing role in promoting sports tourism in the Cordilleras. Recently, the hotel proudly hosted the finish line of the Tour of Luzon, a major cycling race attracting athletes and visitors from all over the country. This event showcased Baguio’s challenging mountain terrain and vibrant community spirit, drawing attention to the region as a prime destination for active, outdoor tourism.
“Our goal is to enrich the facets of Baguio tourism with diverse attractions from gastronomy, festivals to sports events. We offer visitors a rich tapestry of experiences—whether savoring indigenous flavors or engaging with Baguio’s unique natural landscapes through cycling and other outdoor activities. Hosting the Tour of Luzon finish line was also a milestone that highlighted John Hay Hotels’ commitment to sustainable tourism, blending culture, community, and healthy living.” Patrick Gregorio explains the synergy on tourism.” Gregorio states.
“Sustainable tourism is about balance—celebrating our rich heritage while preserving our environment and supporting local livelihoods. This is the legacy we want to build for Baguio and the Cordilleras,” further highlighted.
Empowering John Hay Hotels Colleagues
Beyond cultural preservation and community support, LLV takes pride in its enhanced management practices that prioritize the welfare of John Hay Hotels’ colleagues. A recent implementation of a service charge ensures that employees receive fairer compensation, fostering a more motivated and empowered workforce. This initiative is part of LLV’s commitment to professionalize hotel operations while cultivating an environment where every team member feels valued and supported.
The success of John Hay Hotels also rests on how LLV cares for its own people. Implementing a service charge was a deliberate move to improve employee welfare—an often overlooked but crucial aspect of sustainable hospitality.
“Our colleagues are the backbone of what we do,” Gregorio affirms. “Ensuring they are fairly compensated and feel supported creates a culture of pride and excellence that our guests can genuinely feel. It’s a win-win for the team, the community, and the guest experience.”
SM Investments Corporation (SM Investments), the parent company of the SM group, is harnessing the strength of its diverse business ecosystem to help bridge the country’s skills gap and prepare the workforce for the demands of a rapidly evolving, tech-driven economy.
With interests across retail, property, banking, and investments, SM is aligned with the implementation of the Enterprise-Based Education and Training (EBET) Framework—a newly enacted law aimed at strengthening public-private collaboration, especially in the industry and education sectors. The EBET Framework promotes industry-driven apprenticeships and training programs that equip Filipino workers with job-ready skills aligned with actual market needs.
“SM can function at its optimum because of the skills of our people. As our businesses continue to grow, so too does our need for more skilled and resilient professionals to join our workforce. We shall continue to do our share to upskill and professionalize the Filipino workforce to make them competitive in the ever-evolving job market,” said Mr Frederic C. DyBuncio, President and CEO of SM Investments.
He added that SM’s responsibility to contribute to a skilled, resilient workforce goes beyond employing them within the SM ecosystem.
“Whether they work for us or even in other companies, we are committed to equipping them with the right tools, as we have been doing so with our investments in education through institutions like the National University and Asia-Pacific College, both non-profits, and of course the SM Foundation, which has been graduating scholars for more than 40 years,” Mr DyBuncio said.
Right people, right jobs
As of 2024, SM has over 142,000 employees across its ecosystem of businesses operating in key areas nationwide, making it one of the country’s top job creators. A majority of job functions in SM are sales, engineering, IT, and other STEM-related positions.
SM Investments’ vice chairperson, Teresita Sy-Coson, is a member of the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) Education and Jobs group, a public-private partnership established in 2022 to address employment gaps.
A key initiative resulting from this partnership is job fairs mounted in SM malls across the country as part of the group’s J.O.B.S. (Job Opportunities Building Skills) programme.
From 2024 to May 2025, SM held 244 job fairs in its malls, during which 8,095 employers, 149,626 job seekers, and 20,616 were immediately hired.
Recently, BDO Unibank launched an accelerated hiring process for IT and cybersecurity professionals. The positions offered included project management, cloud technologies and operations, security analyst, security engineer, customer relationship management delivery, and other IT-related jobs.
Better education, better opportunities
In 2024, the SM Foundation welcomed more than 1,100 new college scholars, its largest batch to date. The program has nurtured over 4,600 graduates since its founding. In a recent alumni homecoming, 925 graduates across 27 batches shared their career journeys, with a majority now gainfully employed across various fields.
Additionally, 71% of the alumni have pursued further studies, including master’s degrees, PhDs, secondary degrees, and other professional programs.
The SM Foundation Scholarship Programme provides full tuition coverage, comprehensive enrichment activities, part-time jobs, internship placements and potential career opportunities within the SM Group.
National University, one of the oldest educational institutions in the country, founded in 1900, was acquired by SM in 2008 and has since embarked on a long-term campus expansion strategy to make education within reach. With the expansion, NU is aiming to reach 100,000 students in 2027.
While some programs in NU, particularly in Allied Health and Engineering, are long-established, of note are the courses offered in their College of Computing and Information Technologies that lean towards the future of digitalization, among them: BS Computer Science with specialization in Digital Forensics and Machine Learning; BS Information Technology with specialization in Mobile and Web Applications and Multimedia Arts and Animation.
Asia Pacific College, founded in 1991 as a partnership between SM Foundation and IBM Philippines, has been championing an industry-based curriculum that combines traditional classroom learning and hands-on experience calibrated to produce competitive IT professionals.
APC’s Multimedia Arts program is notable for combining technology and creativity, merging current disciplines in the creative field and the relevant knowledge of the digital creative tools currently used in the industry.
APC recently announced that 97.28% of its graduates as of 2024 have successfully secured employment after graduation.
L-R: Ethel Concepcion, 2GO Group Head of Corporate Marketing and Communications; Faye Alonzo, 2GO Forwarding Business Unit Head; Edmund Araga, EVAP President; Jeun Barlis, Research Consultant – EVAP.
2GO, the country’s largest end-to-end multimodal transportation and logistics solutions provider, has signed a partnership with the Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP), reinforcing its commitment to advancing electric mobility and sustainable transport across the country.
As a sea freight provider, 2GO already offers a more environmentally friendly alternative for long-haul logistics, helping reduce carbon emissions while transporting goods. Building on this advantage, 2GO has begun equipping its vessels with electric vehicle (EV) charging capabilities to further support the movement of EVs nationwide. Notably, MV 2GO Masikap and MV 2GO Masinag have been retrofitted to support EV transport, with plans to extend this capability to more ships in the fleet.
2GO is among the few transportation and logistics companies in the Philippines to integrate EV charging infrastructure into its sea freight services. These vessels currently operate on key routes, including Manila–Davao–General Santos–Iloilo and Manila–Cebu–Manila, providing vital logistical support for EV distribution across strategic regions.
“We are excited to be EVAP’s official logistics partner in pushing for greener roads,” said Faye Alonzo, 2GO Forwarding Business Unit Head. “With our reliable capabilities, we ensure the safe and efficient delivery of electric vehicles across the Philippines. The growing demand for EVs in key cities where we operate—particularly Cebu and Davao—highlights our strategic role in supporting this transition.”
EVAP, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the adoption of battery electric vehicles in the Philippines, views the partnership as a key step toward making EVs more accessible across the archipelago.
“It is crucial for us to embrace electric vehicles to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, especially in urban areas like Metro Manila, Cebu, and Davao,” said Edmund Araga, EVAP President. “Having a reliable logistics partner like 2GO is essential to ensuring the nationwide availability and support of EVs.”
As of April 2025, Metro Manila hosts more than 74 EV charging points across 18 key areas, with plans to expand to nearly 100 by year-end.
2GO maintains regular sailings from Manila to Cebu four times weekly, and to Davao and General Santos twice weekly, ensuring dependable schedules and consistent service for the transportation and distribution of goods nationwide.
