Author: Thoney Pascual

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Myth Avenue Gaming, Fancy United secure the 2026 Predator Shield

Xipto Esports and InterActive Philippines show their grit by reaching the semifinals.

The Asia Pacific Predator League concluded in New Delhi, India. What began with 24 VALORANT and Dota 2 teams from 14 territories across the Asia-Pacific region culminated in only the best of the best being crowned with the Predator Shield.

On Day 1 of the tournament, the rising Vietnamese squad Fancy United outdueled fan-favorite BOOM Esports to the surprise of many, lifting the trophy and a $65,000 cut of the prize pool. Young gun Hoàng “Twilight” Minh Dũng was an unstoppable force for the Vietnamese, racking up an impressive 40 kills throughout their series against BOOM Esports. Twilight’s performance earned him the tournament MVP award and a nifty $10,000 cash prize.

In Dota 2, Myth Avenue Gaming defended their Predator Shield against in-form REKONIX, who had earlier on Day 2 bested the Philippine squad InterActive Philippines. The series went all the way as the two squads proved equal in skill and mettle. The deciding Game 3 was a 41-minute brawl that showcased Myth Avenue Gaming’s dominance, allowing them to take home the Predator Shield anew and $65,000. Myth Avenue Gaming racked up 44 kills in the deciding game, with offlaner ‘egxrdemxn’ showing everyone why he deserved to be the MVP and take home $10,000.

Philippine grit in full display

Philippine teams came out swinging throughout the LAN in South Asia. Xipto Esports, led by former Team Secret stalwart Emmanuel ‘Emman’ Morales, was key to the VALORANT team’s run, carrying the flag all the way to a Top 4 finish. Meanwhile, in Dota 2, InterActive Philippines turned in some surprise performances despite being a late call-up.

Xipto Esports outperformed APAC Predator League Philippine Champions Oasis Gaming in the tournament. Oasis Gaming fizzled out after a 1-2 record in the Group Stage, while Xipto Esports topped their tough Group C assignment. Xipto Esports lost to BOOM Esports in the semifinals, who featured international VALORANT superstar and former VCT Masters winner Nikita ‘d3ffo’ Sudakov. While they couldn’t lift the Predator Shield this time, Xipto Esports showed everyone a glimpse of their untapped potential.

Indonesia’s REKONIX was InterActive Philippines’ (IAP) obstacle to reaching the grand finals. REKONIX was the team that sent IAP to the Lower Brackets, so IAP didn’t need any extra motivation to send the Indonesians packing in New Delhi. The match was a tightly contested affair that went all the way to three games. In the Winner-Take-All Game 3, a Slardar and Anti-Mage draft misfired for IAP, and REKONIX secured their Grand Finals slot

At the conclusion of the tournament, it was officially announced that APAC Predator League 2027 will be held in Vietnam.

For more information and updates about the Predator League, follow Predator Gaming on Facebook (www.facebook.com/PredatorGamingPhilippines) or visit the official website www.predator-league.com.

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GLoan with Benefits: Handle Today’s Needs, Protect Tomorrow’s Plans

More than just extra cash—GLoan now includes FREE health and loan insurance with every approved loan

No matter how carefully we plan our budget, there are times when expenses catch us off guard. A sudden repair at home, a restock that costs more than expected, or a school expense that can’t wait. These things happen, and when they do, having quick access to funds can make all the difference.

That’s where GLoan on GCash comes in. Every approved GLoan of at least ₱500 now comes with an added layer of reassurance: FREE health and loan insurance, so you’re covered not just today, but for whatever comes next.

Covering Today’s Needs, Protecting Tomorrow

At home, breadwinners handling an urgent repair or an unexpected bill need a quick solution. GLoan makes it easier to cover immediate household needs, while the free health and loan insurance provides extra protection for the family. It’s not just about fixing what’s broken; it’s about feeling secure while doing it.

For small business owners restocking a sari-sari store, cash on hand may not always cover essentials. Instead of cutting back or delaying, GLoan helps fill the gap straight to the GCash wallet. Knowing that free health insurance is included brings extra peace of mind, especially when missing a day of work due to illness could affect income.

When renovating at home, expenses rarely come one at a time. Materials, tools, and unexpected costs can quickly add up. GLoan provides instant cash when it’s needed most, while GLoan Protect insurance quietly works in the background. If an accident or hospitalization occurs, there’s one less financial worry to manage.

Extra Support for Life’s Unexpected Moments

When expenses pile up, quick access to funds makes things easier to manage. Eligible GCash users can borrow up to ₱150,000, with money sent instantly to their wallet. The funds can cover urgent household needs, school expenses, or be split across multiple necessities, with flexible repayment terms of up to 24 months and interest rates starting at 1.59%.

What makes it even more reassuring is that every approved GLoan comes with FREE health and loan insurance through GLoan Protect, no extra requirements, no added cost.

When you apply for a minimum loan amount of ₱500 through the GCash app, the insurance is automatically included. Here’s how to get started:

  1. Open the GCash app and tap on “Borrow”, then select “GLoan”.
  2. Enter your desired loan amount.
  3. On the installment plan, you’ll see that your loan comes with free GLoan Protect insurance.
  4. Tick the box to agree to the terms and conditions.

Once approved and disbursed, your loan to be sent to your GCash wallet, and your insurance policy will appear in your “My GInsure” page within the next 24 hours

Insurance coverage starts immediately upon loan approval and remains active until the end of your loan period, even if you pay early.

To qualify for GLoan Protect, you must be:

  1. 21-65 years old, a Filipino citizen, a fully verified GCash user
  2. Your GLoan must have:
    1. A minimum loan amount of PHP 500
    2. A minimum loan tenor of 1 month, and has been approved and disbursed

At the end of the day, unexpected expenses are just part of life. What matters is having a way to handle them without added stress. With GLoan on GCash, you’re not only getting fast access to funds—you’re also getting the reassurance of free health and loan insurance, giving you a little extra security when unexpected health expenses or emergencies arise. Whether it’s for work or home, it’s comforting to know that when the unexpected happens, you don’t have to face it alone. Free health and loan insurance is available for every approved GLoan from January 16, 2026, to March 31, 2026, so you can stay covered while taking care of what matters most.

To learn more, visit the MyGInsure portal on the GInsure dashboard in the GCash app, or check out the GLoan article on the GCash Help Center. You can also go to new.gcash.com for more details.

Access GLoan through your GCash dashboard or find it under “Borrow.” No GCash yet? Download the GCash App on the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, or Huawei App Gallery.

 

 

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Get Ready for a Bold Filipino Culinary Experience at Siklab+

Filipino flavors are about to turn up the heat—literally. Siklab, The Bistro Group’s proudly local dining concept, is kicking off the year with its biggest milestone yet: the opening of its largest branch to date at Conrad S’Maison this January 8.

Following the strong reception of Siklab’s earlier locations, the brand is entering 2026 with confidence and ambition, unveiling aggressive expansion plans that will bring its bold take on Filipino cuisine to even more diners across the metro and beyond.

A New Destination for Dining and Celebrations

More than just a restaurant, Siklab at S’Maison is designed to be a vibrant gathering place. With seating for up to 265 guests, the new branch is ideal for everything from intimate family celebrations to large-scale corporate events. It features three fully equipped function rooms that can host groups ranging from 30 to over 100 guests.

Whether it’s a birthday, reunion, wedding, business meeting, or company celebration, Siklab makes hosting seamless and stress-free. Guests can enjoy access to accredited event suppliers, curated and customizable party food packages, and on-ground logistical support—everything thoughtfully arranged to create memorable experiences.

Expansion Fueled by Love for Local Flavors

The opening of the S’Maison branch signals just the beginning. Siklab is set for successive openings in the first quarter of the year, with new locations slated for Kamagong Street in Makati City, Park Triangle in BGC, Vermosa in Cavite, and Evia Lifestyle Mall in Las Piñas.

This rapid expansion reflects The Bistro Group’s strategic focus on scaling high-performing brands, enhancing customer experiences, and responding to the growing demand for boldly familiar Filipino food.

“In a short time, Siklab has resonated deeply with guests who are looking for bold yet familiar Filipino food,” shares Guia Abuel, Chief Operating Officer of The Bistro Group. “The brand has become a key driver of Bistro’s growth, reflecting both the strength of the concept and the growing appetite for proudly local flavors. Our biggest branch is more than just a restaurant—it’s where Filipino food brings people together in a spacious and welcoming ambiance.”

Classic Filipino Dishes, Boldly Done

At the heart of Siklab is its crowd-favorite menu—comforting, exciting, and deeply rooted in Filipino tradition. Whether you’re a local craving comfort food, a tourist discovering Filipino cuisine for the first time, or a balikbayan reconnecting with the flavors of home, Siklab offers something to love.

Signature dishes like Kuhol ni Tanggo, Gising Gising Na, Paboritong Pork Sisig, and Trio Sinigang na Baboy headline the menu, alongside beloved merienda classics such as pancit, palitaw, and bibingka. New surprises add an extra spark, ensuring every visit feels fresh yet familiar.

Blending rustic Filipino charm with contemporary design, Siklab creates a dining experience that celebrates culture, community, and cuisine—appealing to every generation, young and old alike.

Stay updated on opening dates, special events, and exclusive promos by following @siklabph. Your next bold Filipino food adventure starts here.

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2GO Forwarding: At the Heart of Customer Trust

2GO, the country’s premier multimodal logistics solutions provider, continues to strengthen its reputation as a reliable local partner of leading international brands and organizations.

2GO Forwarding, the freight forwarding arm of the 2GO Group, operates through a nationwide network that spans 33,000 barangays and delivers scalable logistics for industries such as pharmaceuticals, FMCG, automotive, and events. With access to sea, land, and air transport, the unit provides customers with end-to-end logistics tailored to their operational needs.

Seamless Logistics and Mobility
For restaurant groups with extensive operations across the Visayas and Mindanao, efficient inter-island movement is essential to maintaining stock levels, product freshness, and store stability. Bigby’s Quality Food Corp., a homegrown restaurant group with 26 branches under brands such as Bigby’s Café & Restaurant, Boy Zugba, and The Tuna Bar, has seen significant improvements in its logistics efficiency with 2GO handling its island-to-island deliveries.

Henrik Kelly Yu, CEO of Bigby’s Quality Food Corp., said, “Before, I think the challenges of our shipments were the island-to-island deliveries. But now with 2GO, it’s very convenient. Deliveries to Dumaguete, Bohol, Tacloban, and Cebu—it has been very life-changing for our business to have this kind of service.”

Delivering Healthcare with Precision
Pharmaceutical distribution requires efficiency, accuracy, and consistent reliability. For Zuellig Pharma Corporation, the Philippines’ leading distributor of medicines and healthcare products, 2GO Forwarding has become a trusted partner in ensuring life-saving medicines and medical products reach their destinations safely and on time. The partnership has proven vital during peak demand periods, where uninterrupted delivery means uninterrupted access to healthcare.

Paul Sanchez, Director of Zuellig Pharma, said, “When we experienced logistics challenges, 2GO immediately stepped in to ensure our operations remained unhampered and delivery commitments were met. Their professionalism, precision, and ability to manage critical pharmaceutical cargo with utmost care have been instrumental to our mission of safeguarding healthcare access across the country.”

Powering Philippine Sports
Beyond healthcare, 2GO Forwarding also supports the movement of people and equipment for some of the Philippines’ most anticipated international sporting events. As the official logistics partner of IRONMAN Philippines, 2GO provides transport and forwarding solutions that ensure sporting gear, race materials, and participants arrive on time and in full. This capability has made 2GO an integral part of the country’s growing sports tourism industry.

Princess Galura, president and general manager of Sunrise Events Inc., said, “We are excited to continue our partnership with 2GO, whose end-to-end logistics and travel services help bring our MICE events to life—organized, on time, and seamless. Their reliable support ensures that our equipment arrives where it’s needed and that attendees can travel conveniently across islands. With 2GO, every event delivers a smooth and memorable experience for athletes and spectators alike.”

Operational Excellence
2GO Forwarding’s flexible service offerings have also supported businesses in the agriculture, food manufacturing, and MSME sectors. For the Strawberry-Guyabano Farm and Delibites Concepts Corporation in South Cotabato, 2GO’s transport solutions have helped streamline operations, reduce costs, and improve delivery performance.

Hannah Mamon, the owner, shared that faster transport cut delivery time from four days to two and that direct store deliveries helped eliminate pilferage. She said, “I was able to save on warehousing, shutting down Davao and Cagayan de Oro… dahil sa streamlining na na-address ni 2GO.” She added that 2GO’s Less than Container Load (LCL) service enabled her to ship small packages with clear and predictable rates. “The efficiency and reliability, na pwede mag twice a week o kahit once a week, kaya mabilis ang turnover ng inventory sa operations.”

Commitment to Partners
2GO Forwarding’s track record across industries highlights its ability to adapt to the unique requirements of every client, from healthcare to sports. The business unit remains focused on delivering solutions that enable organizations to make a meaningful impact on the communities they serve.

Faye Alonzo, Business Unit Head of 2GO Forwarding, said, “We see our role as more than transporting goods—we help businesses expand, communities thrive, and vital services reach the people who need them most. From healthcare and food to sports and MSMEs, we move what matters, ensuring every shipment travels safely and seamlessly across cities and regions. This commitment to enabling growth and enriching lives is at the heart of what we deliver to every partner we serve.”

To know more about our forwarding services, email forwarding@2go.com.ph.

 

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2GO Levels Up as Logistics Demand in the Philippines Continues to Rise

As the Philippine economy gains momentum, one thing is becoming crystal clear: logistics is no longer just a support function—it’s a growth engine. As demand continues to surge across the country, 2GO is entering 2026 with bigger plans, smarter systems, and a renewed commitment to keeping people, goods, and businesses moving.

As the new year begins, 2GO is sharpening its focus on innovation, integration, and nationwide connectivity. From freight and express delivery to sea travel and digital fulfillment, the company is strengthening its capabilities to meet the evolving needs of a fast-expanding market.

A booming logistics landscape

The numbers tell a compelling story. The Philippine logistics market reached an estimated USD 55.65 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow by around 6 percent annually through 2030. What’s driving this momentum? Strong domestic consumption, improved infrastructure, and the rapid rise of digital commerce.

E-commerce, in particular, is reshaping the logistics playbook. With the local e-commerce sector expected to exceed USD 28 billion in 2025, businesses now require faster, more reliable, and more transparent delivery solutions—especially in a country made up of thousands of islands.

For 2GO, this growth presents both an opportunity and a responsibility.

“Our outlook for 2026 is anchored on building smarter and more responsive logistics solutions that support economic activity where it matters most,” said Frederic C. DyBuncio, President and CEO of 2GO Group Inc. “As the Philippine economy grows, logistics becomes even more essential.”

Powering e-commerce and beyond

To keep pace with online retail growth, 2GO continues to expand its express delivery and e-commerce fulfillment services. Nationwide pickup, sorting hubs, last-mile delivery, and real-time digital tracking are helping businesses—big and small—reach customers faster and more efficiently.

But 2GO’s role goes far beyond doorstep deliveries.

Its freight forwarding and specialized container services cater to industries with complex needs, including temperature-sensitive and customized cargo. These solutions are especially critical for manufacturers, agribusinesses, and exporters navigating inter-island and international trade.

Strength at sea, on land, and everywhere in between

One of 2GO’s biggest strengths lies in its multimodal logistics network. Through its sea-based logistics and ROPAX operations, the company connects major and secondary ports while transporting both passengers and essential cargo.

Recent investments in port infrastructure and expanded passenger terminals are boosting connectivity between Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao—supporting not just commerce but also the growing demand for inter-island mobility.

Making logistics simpler

As customer expectations continue to evolve, 2GO is doubling down on integration—bringing land, air, and sea logistics together into one connected, visible supply chain. Improving operational efficiency, maximizing asset use, and delivering customer-focused solutions remain at the core of its 2026 strategy.

“Growth today requires flexibility and integration,” DyBuncio shared. “Our priority is to make logistics simpler for our customers—whether they’re SMEs, large enterprises, or online sellers.”

Supporting national growth

Reliable logistics plays a vital role in economic resilience and inclusive development. By improving cargo flow, reducing handovers through point-to-point solutions, and strengthening inter-island connectivity, 2GO helps keep trade costs manageable while expanding market access for businesses nationwide.

As 2026 begins, 2GO reaffirms its commitment to supporting the country’s growth story—through dependable services, continuous innovation, and investments that strengthen mobility and trade.

“With the right infrastructure, partnerships, and people, logistics becomes a catalyst for national progress,” DyBuncio said—and that’s exactly the role 2GO aims to continue playing in the years ahead.

To learn more about 2GO and its services, visit www.2go.com.ph.

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2GO Revamps Escolta Branch, Introduces First Retail Outlet with Cafe 2GO

2GO, the Philippines’ most integrated logistics and travel solutions provider, has revamped its 2GO Escolta Branch located on the ground floor of AIC Center along Escolta Street, Binondo, Manila. The branch remained fully operational throughout the renovation, ensuring uninterrupted service while upgrading the space to better support the growing demand for travel, cargo, and express services in one of the country’s most historic commercial districts.

The branch enhancement marks the introduction of the first 2GO retail outlet with Cafe 2GO, a fully owned and branded café concept previously available exclusively on board 2GO vessels. Bringing Cafe 2GO to a ground retail environment provides customers with a more comfortable and welcoming space to lounge, wait, and conduct business while completing their transactions.

As part of the revamp, the Escolta branch also features a dedicated Cafe 2GO Training Room, designed to support onboarding, skills development, and continuous learning for 2GO team members. The facility serves as a central venue for barista training and capability-building programs across the retail network.

The upgraded space is also designed to function as a convenient meeting and collaboration hub, allowing customers, MSMEs, and partners to hold discussions, coordinate shipments, and make business decisions while availing of 2GO’s integrated logistics and travel services.

“Cafe 2GO was created to elevate the overall travel experience of our customers, and bringing it into a retail setting allows us to extend that same experience on the ground,” said Roland Sunga, Assistant Vice President for Food and Beverage, Ancillary, and Hotel Operations of 2GO Travel. “The dedicated training space enables us to continuously develop our baristas, refine our offerings, and ensure consistent quality across all touchpoints.”

Located in the heart of Binondo, the Escolta branch plays a vital role in supporting trade and MSMEs by facilitating the efficient movement of goods such as machinery, spare parts, textiles, and wholesale merchandise across cities and regions nationwide.

“This renovated location is more than a retail branch—it is a hub for MSME growth,” said Blessie Cruz, Business Unit Head of 2GO Retail. “Through this space, the introduction of Cafe 2GO, and our enhanced facilities, we aim to elevate customer experience while creating more opportunities for the communities we serve.”

For inquiries about 2GO services, partnerships, or training programs, interested parties may email retail@2go.com.ph.