Category: Feature

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Driving Discipline Through Innovation: Inside AISIN and ADVICS at MIAS 2026

At the Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) 2026, innovation wasn’t just on display—it was something you could experience firsthand. Among the standout exhibitors, AISIN Philippines, together with ADVICS, turned heads not only with cutting-edge automotive solutions but also with an immersive approach to one of the industry’s most pressing concerns: road safety.

Rather than relying on static displays, AISIN transformed its booth into an interactive hub where visitors didn’t just learn about driving—they felt it.

Where Technology Meets Real-World Responsibility

Stepping into the AISIN space felt less like entering a traditional exhibit and more like stepping into a controlled driving environment. The focus was clear: highlight the critical role of discipline, precision, and awareness behind the wheel.

This message came to life through a series of thoughtfully designed activities that challenged participants to think, react, and stay in control—mirroring the demands of real-world driving.

The Simulator That Put Drivers to the Test

At the heart of the experience was the ADVICS Road Safety Campaign Simulator, developed in partnership with A1 Driving School. More than just a game, the simulator placed users in realistic driving scenarios—from navigating traffic conditions to responding to unexpected road situations.

Participants were evaluated on how well they followed road rules, reacted under pressure, and maintained composure—core elements of responsible driving. Top performers didn’t just walk away with rewards; they left with a more profound understanding of what it means to be a disciplined driver.

It was a subtle but powerful reminder: safe driving isn’t instinctive—it’s practiced.

Precision in Motion: The AISIN Electric Wire Game

Complementing the high-tech simulator was a deceptively simple yet equally impactful challenge—the AISIN Electric Wire Game.

Participants were tasked with guiding a wire along a narrow path without making contact. It sounds easy—until your hand starts to shake.

The activity drew a clear parallel to AISIN’s newly introduced automotive battery technology, emphasizing the importance of precision and reliability. Just as one wrong move could disrupt the game, even the smallest lapse in focus on the road can have real consequences.

Making Safety Engaging—and Memorable

What set AISIN apart at MIAS 2026 was its ability to blend education with engagement. Instead of telling people about road safety, they created an environment where visitors could experience it.

By combining hands-on challenges with meaningful messaging, the brand captured attention while reinforcing a deeper truth: driving safely requires both mental focus and dependable technology.

Beyond Products: A Commitment to Safer Roads

While AISIN showcased its extensive lineup—from braking systems to powertrain components—the bigger narrative was unmistakable. The company is positioning itself not just as a manufacturer of automotive parts but as an active advocate for safer roads in the Philippines.

In an era when innovation often focuses on speed and performance, AISIN’s message stood out for prioritizing control, discipline, and responsibility.

And at MIAS 2026, that message didn’t just land—it stuck.

For more updates, visit AISIN Philippines and ADVICS Philippines on Facebook.

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Your Next Cash Reward Is Just A ‘Share’ Away

With BDO Pay, handling daily transactions is now simpler, faster, and more rewarding. You can settle bills, split group payments, and send money right from your phone in seconds.

And now, you can also earn cash rewards of up to ₱1,000 per month together with your family and friends through BDO Pay’s Refer a Friend Promo.

Sharing made rewarding

If you’re already a BDO Pay user, you can invite your friends and family with BDO accounts to download the app using your Referral Code until June 30, 2026

Turn referrals into cash in 3 easy steps:

    • Open your BDO Pay app, click “More” and then the “Refer a Friend” icon
    • Click the copy button or “Invite Friends” to share the referral code
    • Select which messaging app to use to share the referral code. 

Turn shared moments into cash rewards. Make your hangout with friends more fun and rewarding with BDO Pay’s Refer a Friend Promo.

After the referred client receives the referral code, they can download and sign up for BDO Pay, then enter the referral code to complete the sign-up process.

When they register and enter your code, both of you receive ₱50 cash credits—a simple bonus that quickly adds up when shared with the people you spend time with every day.

Beyond referrals, BDO Pay keeps everyday payments more convenient. You can scan QR codes to pay merchants directly from your BDO credit card or bank account, split group bills down to the centavo, pay bills to over 2,100 billers with no fees, and send money to other BDO accounts for free or to other banks and digital wallets for only ₱10.

For BDO credit card holders, the app provides an extra layer of safety. Lock and unlock your credit card instantly, manage your credit card services, explore installment offers, and continue earning rewards points on your purchases. Through BDO Pay, you can also access exclusive BDO Deals, redeem Rewards Peso Points for e-gifts, or convert points to pay your bill.

Even without a BDO account, you can start using the app by opening a BDO basic account with no initial deposit or maintaining balance.

Ready to enjoy and share the rewards? Download BDO Pay today on the App Store (iOS), Google Play Store (Android), or Huawei AppGallery (HarmonyOS).

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SM Strengthens Stakeholder Communication Through Online Platform

SM Investments Corporation, the parent company of the SM group, is scaling up its stakeholder engagement efforts through SM In Focus, its online platform which has over 137,000 subscribers and generated over 2.5 million views since its launch in late 2024.

The milestone reflects SM’s broader push to strengthen transparency and accessibility in communicating business performance, innovation, and value creation across its integrated ecosystem in retail, property, and banking.

SMIF Silver Play Button

The platform is part of SM’s evolving approach to stakeholder communication, leveraging online channels to provide more timely, structured, and relevant insights on its operations and impact.

“SM In Focus enhances our ability to communicate the Group’s activities and outcomes in a more accessible and consistent manner,” said Rico Hizon, host and creator of SM in Focus.

Beyond external engagement, the initiative also supports internal alignment by enabling participation from across the organization. Contributors from various business units provide on-the-ground perspectives, reinforcing a more coordinated and enterprise-wide approach to communication.

“By engaging contributors across the Group, the platform strengthens collaboration and improves how we communicate our strategy and impact,” said Elizabeth Anne “Lizanne” Uychaco, Executive Vice President, Group Diversity Officer of SM Investments, and Executive Producer of SM In Focus.

To date, the platform has produced over 440 videos and accumulated more than 14,000 watch hours, indicating sustained audience engagement.

As SM continues to expand its operations, SM In Focus supports a more integrated and data-driven communication strategy, bridging internal insights with external engagement and enabling clearer articulation of the Group’s long-term value creation.

SM In Focus Host and Creator Rico Hizon shares the Youtube Silver Play Button for reaching an important 100,000 milestone with SM Investments Corporation Executive Vice President, Group Diversity Officer and SM in Focus Executive Producer Lizanne Uychaco.

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Our Market Ignites Record-Breaking Campus Tour at National University Dasmariñas

Something bigger than the usual campus buzz filled National University Dasmariñas—and you could feel it the moment you stepped in.

Thousands of students, faculty, and staff gathered not just for another academic event but for a full-scale experience. At the heart of it was Tatak CavitENYU, the university’s first-ever Hospitality and Tourism Research Seminar and Symposium, carrying the theme “Where Ideas Converge: Advancing Hospitality and Tourism Through Research.” But what truly elevated the day into something memorable was the presence of Our Market, turning the campus into a vibrant hub of creativity, learning, and community.

With an estimated crowd of 4,000 attendees, this marked the biggest campus tour event Our Market has mounted to date—and it didn’t disappoint.

A Campus Transformed into an Experience

From the outside, it looked like a festival. Inside, it felt like one.

Our Market brought its signature energy to NU Dasmariñas through a mix of interactive games, exciting giveaways, food experiences, and—for the first time in its campus tour series—a curated bazaar featuring local businesses. It wasn’t just about engagement; it was about immersion.

Students lined up early, eager to participate. After subscribing to Our Market’s platform for free, attendees were invited to spin the roulette—a simple but thrilling game that guaranteed a prize. But the real crowd magnet? A newly launched three-dimensional puzzle game that showcased partner brands. Complete any side, and you could walk away with an item of your choice.

It was equal parts challenge and reward—and it kept the crowd coming.

Spotlight on Local Creativity

Beyond the games and giveaways, the bazaar gave a meaningful platform to local entrepreneurs—and their stories.

One of the standout exhibitors was Daniel’s Handicraft, led by husband-and-wife team Lea and Daniel Mancera. Their display featured beautifully handwoven items—baskets, handbags, vases, and even delicate fuzzy wire flowers. But what made their products even more compelling was the collaboration behind them: pieces crafted through the combined efforts of Muntinlupa residents and inmates from New Bilibid Prison. Each item carried not just artistry, but purpose.

Meanwhile, long-time partner Aling Patring’s Sari-Sari Store, represented by Patty Lising, brought comfort and familiarity to the mix. Their booth offered free tastings of well-loved Filipino treats—from creamy cheese pimiento and rich peanut butter to classic pastillas, leche flan, and ready-to-drink coffee.

And then there was Matchbox Art Co., easily the crowd favorite. Owned by Shanah Leigh and Johnny Paradox, the brand drew in curious students with its striking original artworks, clothing designs, and custom watercolor pieces. Live painting sessions added a dynamic element, turning their booth into both a shop and a performance space.

Learning Beyond the Classroom

True to its mission of empowering communities, Our Market went beyond entertainment—it created opportunities for learning.

At the demo kitchen, a dessert-making workshop titled “There is Always Room for Dessert” drew in a highly engaged audience, particularly Hospitality Management students. Led by Chef Catherine “Cathy” Yu—a seasoned culinary instructor with 14 years of experience and the current vice president of the Philippine Society of Baking—the session blended practicality with inspiration.

Chef Cathy introduced recipes that were simple, efficient, and high-quality—perfect for aspiring entrepreneurs and future hospitality professionals. Participants learned how to make simplified polvoron, the trending Dubai Chewy Cookies, and creamy egg tarts.

The egg tarts, made using Aokun egg tart shells and filling from Prime Pacific Foods Corporation, were a highlight. Baked in a Cheftop oven provided by Unox Philippines, the results were exactly what every aspiring baker hopes for: soft, crispy, and perfectly creamy.

More Than an Event—A Shared Mission

Behind all the excitement lies a deeper purpose.

Our Market, conceived as a CSR initiative of DTC Promos, Inc., has consistently aimed to create spaces where people can explore opportunities, discover new ideas, and step outside their comfort zones. This event was no exception.

The energy carried through to a live raffle draw, where lucky participants walked away with prizes such as Energizer power banks and Philips Bluetooth speakers—small tokens that added to an already rewarding experience.

But perhaps the most meaningful takeaway wasn’t a prize—it was the sense of possibility.

Strengthening Partnerships for the Future

The event concluded on a high note with a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing between Our Market and National University Dasmariñas. More than a formal gesture, it signaled a shared commitment to continued collaboration—opening doors for future initiatives beyond the OMG! Campus Tour.

For NU Dasmariñas, whose Hospitality Management program emphasizes both theory and hands-on training across various operational areas—from kitchens to front office and beyond—the partnership reinforces its goal of preparing students for real-world success.

And for Our Market, it’s another step forward in building communities that are informed, empowered, and inspired.

What’s Next?

If this event proved anything, it’s that when learning meets creativity and community, something powerful happens.

And this is just the beginning.

Subscribe to Our Market to stay updated on upcoming campus tours, workshops, and opportunities—you might just find your next idea, skill, or inspiration waiting there.

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Bridging Filipino Creativity to the Global Stage: SoFA Design Institute Partners with IE University

In today’s rapidly evolving creative landscape, design education is no longer confined within national borders. For aspiring designers, exposure to global perspectives, cross-cultural collaboration, and international opportunities has become an essential part of professional growth. Recognizing this shift, SoFA Design Institute has taken a significant step forward by launching a new academic partnership with IE University in Spain—an initiative that opens new global pathways for Filipino creatives.

For over a decade, SoFA Design Institute has built a reputation as one of the Philippines’ leading centers for creative education. The institution has consistently focused on nurturing talent while equipping students with the technical skills, critical thinking, and creative confidence needed to thrive in the design industry both locally and abroad.

This commitment to global engagement came to life on March 11 with the official launch of the SoFA–IE University partnership. The collaboration was unveiled during a curated event held at SoFA’s campus at The Proscenium Retail Row—an intimate gathering that brought together educators, creatives, and design enthusiasts for a morning centered on ideas, creativity beyond borders, and the evolving future of design education.

Creativity Without Borders

One of the highlights of the launch was a Creative Conversation featuring Flabelus, a Spanish footwear brand known for reinterpreting traditional craftsmanship through contemporary design and storytelling. Leading the discussion was Pilar Oraa, the brand’s International PR and Communications Director, who shared insights into how heritage craftsmanship can be transformed through modern creative expression.

The conversation provided attendees with a glimpse into how global design brands combine storytelling, culture, and innovation to create products that resonate across markets.

Expanding Opportunities for Students

The partnership also introduced new educational pathways for SoFA students. Andrea Pagani, Senior Associate Director of Business Development for Undergraduates in Southeast Asia and Oceania at IE University, presented the opportunities available through the collaboration.

Joining the discussion were SoFA co-founders Loralee Baron-Soong and Amina Aranaz-Alunan, along with Mads Constantino, Director for Academic Affairs at SoFA Design Institute, who hosted the morning session.

Through the partnership, SoFA students will gain access to a range of international learning experiences, including:

    • Global internship opportunities
    • Immersive Spanish design tours
    • Exchange programs
    • Summer school programs with IE University

These initiatives aim to expose students to diverse design environments while allowing them to participate in short-term international creative experiences that broaden both perspective and practice.

A Global Mindset for Filipino Designers

For many aspiring creatives in the Philippines, international exposure can be transformative. Today’s design industry increasingly values professionals who can navigate different cultural contexts while contributing original perspectives to global conversations.

By connecting with institutions such as IE University and collaborating with brands like Flabelus, SoFA Design Institute is actively creating pathways for Filipino designers to engage with international networks.

What began as a specialized design school in Manila is gradually evolving into a dynamic platform where local creativity meets global opportunity. Through partnerships like this, Filipino talent is being positioned to contribute meaningfully to the global design community.

As design education continues to expand beyond borders, initiatives like the SoFA–IE University collaboration demonstrate how institutions can empower students to explore new creative traditions, participate in international dialogue, and cultivate a truly global mindset.

For more information about the partnership and upcoming programs, visit the official website of SoFA Design Institute and follow their social media pages for updates.