In a landmark collaboration, Novo Nordisk Philippines has officially partnered with Rose Pharmacy to expand access to patient-centered obesity care in Cebu City and across the Visayas region.

Bridging the Gap in the Visayas

The partnership aims to dismantle the persistent barriers that prevent people from seeking help: limited awareness, social stigma, and the difficulty of finding trained healthcare professionals.

By leveraging Rose Pharmacy’s extensive retail network, the initiative brings medical expertise directly into the community. Patients in Cebu can now access reliable information and a more seamless path to professional treatment.

“Obesity is a chronic, complex disease that requires sustained care and support,” says Wei Sun, General Manager of Novo Nordisk Philippines. “By partnering with Rose Pharmacy, we hope to help more Filipinos in Cebu access the right treatment and long-term care they deserve.”

The ‘Live Lighter’ Movement: A New National Perspective

This partnership is a key pillar of Novo Nordisk’s broader Live Lighter movement. The initiative is a call to action for Filipinos to stop viewing obesity as a personal failure and start recognizing it as a biological medical condition.

The urgency of this movement is backed by staggering data. The EpiCOb-PH study estimates that obesity cost the Philippine economy approximately Php 1.9 trillion in 2025—roughly 7.3% of the nation’s GDP. When overweight-related conditions are included, that figure climbs to Php 2.7 trillion.

The Role of Science: Introducing Wegovy®

Central to this new era of care is the introduction of innovative, science-based treatments. Novo Nordisk recently launched Wegovy® (semaglutide) in the Philippines.

Unlike traditional weight-loss supplements, this GLP-1 receptor agonist works with the body’s internal biology to:

• Regulate appetite and hunger signals.

• Manage energy intake.

• Address the underlying metabolic processes that make sustained weight loss difficult through diet and exercise alone.

Dr. Christiana Vida Montefalcon, head of Clinical, Medical, and Regulatory affairs at Novo Nordisk Philippines, emphasizes that these advancements provide a "sustainable path toward better health," focusing on overall well-being rather than just the number on the scale.

A Supportive Path Forward

For Cebuanos, the message is clear: You don’t have to do this alone.

Michael So, General Manager of Rose Pharmacy, believes pharmacies are the frontline of this change. “We want to make it easier for more Cebuanos to access reliable information and the support they need to manage obesity with confidence and dignity.”

Through the combination of Rose Pharmacy’s trusted reach and Novo Nordisk’s clinical innovation, the "Live Lighter" movement is ensuring that the journey toward health is guided by science, supported by experts, and free from judgment.

Are you ready to treat obesity right? Visit your local Rose Pharmacy in Cebu to learn more about the Live Lighter movement and how to connect with healthcare professionals today.

CEBU CITY, Philippines — If your smartphone dies or your smart fridge starts acting like a freezer-sized paperweight, help is now officially coming from the heart of the Visayas.

Today, global tech-support titan Asurion cut the ribbon on its brand-new customer solutions center right here in Cebu City. This isn't just another office opening; it’s a massive vote of confidence in local talent, with plans to plug 2,000 new jobs into the Cebuano economy over the next two years.

Scaling Up in the South

The grand opening featured the traditional blessing and ribbon-cutting, bringing together tech leaders and local officials to celebrate Asurion’s sixth major footprint in the Philippines. While the company already has a 7,000-strong army across Manila, Iloilo, and Clark, Cebu was the missing piece of the puzzle.

"As tech weaves itself deeper into our lives, the 'help' button needs to be faster and smarter," said Guru Gowrappan, CEO of Asurion. "Our investment in Cebu is a testament to the incredible talent we see here. This team won't just be answering phones; they’ll be the backbone of our global customer experience."

The New HQ: Six Floors of Innovation

Asurion isn't just taking up space; they’re taking over. The new hub occupies six floors of the Faustina Center, located in the bustling Bonifacio District. They are currently hunting for a diverse crew to fill the halls, including:

• Tech Support & Customer Care (The front-line heroes)

• HR, IT, & Operations (The engine room)

• Digital Marketing & Training (The creative sparks)

Why Work Here? (Besides the View)

Asurion isn't a rookie in the "Best Places to Work" circuit. They’ve held that title for four years running and were recently inducted into the PEZA Hall of Fame. To sweeten the deal for Cebu’s job seekers, the company is packing the trunk with perks:

• Day 1 HMO (No waiting periods here)

• Daily free meals (Yes, actually free)

• Retirement programs and transport allowances

• A culture that respects the "life" part of work-life balance

 

About Asurion

Think of Asurion as the "Chief Technology Officer of your home." Whether it’s a cracked screen, a glitchy gaming console, or a washing machine having a mid-life crisis, Asurion’s 230 million global customers rely on them to keep the digital world spinning.

Ready to join the team? If you’re in Cebu and ready for a career upgrade, head over to joinasurion.com/cebu to see where you fit in. For roles across the rest of the Philippines, check out joinasurion.com/ph.

 PLDT Home and Google Philippines Lead the Charge in AI-Driven Digital Mastery for Filipino Mompreneurs

For years, the conversation around empowering women has centered on one word: access. We talked about access to education, the internet, and the global marketplace. But as the world changes, so does the definition of being "connected."

Today, a new digital divide is emerging. It isn't just about who has an internet connection. It's about who knows how to use and maximize the digital tools at their disposal. As artificial intelligence (AI) begins to reshape how we work, learn, and grow our businesses, the goal is shifting.

It’s no longer enough just to be online. To truly thrive, women need the skills and confidence to lead in an AI-driven world.

Moving Beyond the Connection

Through a collaboration between PLDT Home’s Madiskarte Moms PH (MMPH) and Google, the second Gemini Academy for mompreneurs was recently held to bridge this gap. Building on last year’s introduction to AI, the program focused on practical use, showing participants how AI can support their businesses and help them stay competitive in a fast-changing digital landscape. It also encouraged women to become #maAIdiskartemom, embracing innovation by using AI tools.

While "AI" can sometimes sound like a complicated term reserved for tech experts, Gemini Academy is proving that these tools are actually for everyone. Most especially for mompreneurs who are balancing their family life and work, while looking to reach more customers. AI is a partner that helps get things done faster and more creatively.

“AI is no longer limited to large enterprises. It is for everyone, and we need to embrace it. Today, it goes beyond being a tool. It becomes a partner that helps you write product descriptions in seconds, respond to customers with confidence, create content, and support your day-to-day operations,” said Cheryl Maxine Loyola, AVP and Head of Public Relations and Brand Advocacy at PLDT Home.

“When you put tools like Gemini in the hands of women who are already 'madiskarte', you do more than improve productivity. You unlock potential.”

Tools for the Modern Filipina

The Gemini Academy has always focused on making technology approachable. It also recognizes the efforts of mompreneurs who have leveraged AI to grow their businesses, such as mom ambassadors Princess Alvarez of ISLA Everything Accessories and Jenielyn Sicabalo-Nieva of MP Nieva's Flower Shop.

Princess successfully built a custom pricing calculator and business tracker from scratch with the help of Gemini. This gives her a real-time view of her business profitability without a technical background. Jenielyn also utilized Gemini to do deep research into bouquet trends and innovative "add-on" gift ideas. This keeps her up to date on the latest market trends, so she can consistently offer fresh gift ideas to customers.

These stories reflect a broader shift in how Filipino women are redefining entrepreneurship in the digital age.

“What we’re seeing today is a new kind of ‘diskarte’—one where Filipina entrepreneurs are not just adopting technology, but using AI to lead, innovate, and scale their businesses with confidence, and ultimately lead their own success story,” said Daphne Gripal Abello, Manager, PLDT Home Marketing PR and Brand Advocacy.

During this year’s Gemini Academy with PLDT Home’s MMPH, participants discovered how other innovative Google products can simplify their day-to-day business tasks, such as NotebookLM, which serves as their personal assistant, helping organize notes, understand complex documents, and brainstorm ideas. Music generator Lyria and AI image editor Nano Banana can open up new worlds of creativity, helping users explore music and media in ways once possible only with expensive equipment. While AI marketing tool Pomelli is designed to help streamline tasks and improve how they interact with digital information.

Through digital mastery, women are moving from learning the basics to dominating the digital space. They are now finding ways to automate information so they can focus on what they are passionate about

Celebrating the "Diskarteng AI"

The mission doesn't stop at training. Empowerment also means recognition. During the program, it was announced that next year’s Gawad Madiskarte, the annual awards ceremony of PLDT Home’s MMPH that honors the grit and ingenuity of Filipina entrepreneurs, will include the Diskarteng Digital Award.

This category will honor women who have successfully integrated AI into their businesses, demonstrating that "diskarte" today is about more than just hard work—it's about being innovative and creative with the best available technology.

"The award will recognize the mompreneur who can best leverage AI to scale her business. We want to show that a modern Filipina entrepreneur is not just a participant, but a leader in the global digital landscape. This is our way of celebrating your growth and AI mindset," said Prep Palacios, Google Philippines Country Manager.

Why This Matters Now

If we don’t prioritize AI literacy for women today, we risk leaving them out of the most important economic conversations of tomorrow. Empowerment is about having a seat at the table, and in 2026, it’s all about maximizing digital potential.

By turning connectivity into capability, PLDT Home’s MMPH and Gemini Academy are ensuring that Filipino women aren't just spectators in the tech revolution. They are the ones leading it. It’s time to move beyond just getting online. It’s time to take charge.

To know more about PLDT Home’s Madiskarte Moms PH, join the Facebook community and follow the official page. 

LEED O+M, which stands for Operations and Maintenance, evaluates how existing buildings are run on a day-to-day basis, covering energy and water efficiency, waste management, and indoor environmental quality. This means the recognition goes beyond design, highlighting how the restaurant consistently operates with sustainability in practice.

The development positions Jollibee among the early adopters of operations-driven sustainability in the local fast-food industry, setting a benchmark for smarter, more efficient restaurant management that delivers both cost savings and long-term environmental impact.

As businesses face rising electricity costs and growing climate concerns, the company said it is moving beyond compliance by integrating sustainability into how its stores are designed, built, and operated.

“Sustainability is integrated into how we design and operate our stores as we continue to evolve and improve across the network,” said Jollibee Philippines president Ferns Yu, Jr. “We will continue to strengthen this commitment as we build more stores and support the communities we serve.”

A First in Philippine QSR

Opened in November 2024, the Enrile branch was designed and built with sustainability features that were subsequently validated and certified under the LEED program, which measures a building’s performance in energy use, water efficiency, and overall environmental impact. This certification marks a first for the quick-service restaurant sector in the Philippines.

The store incorporates several green technologies:

• Rooftop solar panels: Can reduce electricity consumption by up to 30%.

• Solar water heating systems: Utilized for kitchen operations.

• Solar window films: Minimize indoor heat and reduce air conditioning demand.

• High-efficiency hardware: Includes high-efficiency motors and LED lighting.

Water conservation features are also integrated into daily operations, including motion-sensor faucets, a rainwater harvesting system, and an on-site wastewater treatment facility that allows water to be reused for cleaning and maintenance.

These initiatives are part of the Jollibee Group’s “Joy for Tomorrow” program, which promotes sustainability across food, people, and planet. The company plans to expand the use of energy- and water-efficient systems in more stores nationwide. By embedding sustainability into its core operations, Jollibee is positioning itself to address environmental challenges while supporting long-term business growth.