Thursday, January 29, 2026

Upgrade for the New Year: Lenovo Offers Up to ₱5,000 Pluxee Vouchers This Chinese New Year

 


Welcome the new year with smarter technology as Lenovo ushers in the season with its Lenovo Chinese New Year Promo 2026, offering exciting rewards for customers upgrading their devices.

From February 1 to March 31, 2026, customers who purchase select Lenovo laptops and desktops can enjoy corresponding freebies, including Pluxee vouchers worth up to ₱5,000 or a Canon Pixma MG2570S multifunction printer, depending on the model purchased.

Upgrade for the New Year and Get Rewarded

Designed to help users start the year on a smarter note, the promo covers a wide range of Lenovo devices across the IdeaPad, Yoga, LOQ, and Legion series. Customers who purchase participating models are entitled to Pluxee gift cards ranging from ₱1,000 to ₱5,000, which will be sent via SMS upon successful redemption.

Meanwhile, customers purchasing select IdeaCentre desktops and AIO models will receive a Canon Pixma MG2570S multifunction printer, provided instantly upon purchase from participating authorized Lenovo resellers.

How to Redeem

To redeem the Pluxee voucher, customers must register at https://promotions.lenovo.com/ph/en and submit the following details:

  • Full name (as indicated on a valid ID)

  • Contact number

  • Valid ID

  • Proof of purchase (invoice name must match the valid ID)

  • MTM of the device

  • Serial number of the device

Once a redemption request is submitted, customers will receive an email within 7–14 business days confirming whether the request has been accepted, rejected, or requires further clarification. Successful redemptions will receive the Pluxee voucher via SMS within 7–14 business days.

Each customer may redeem the promo up to five (5) times and must complete redemption within 60 days after the promo period ends. Unclaimed freebies after this period will be forfeited.

Start the Year Smarter with Lenovo

With the Lenovo Chinese New Year Promo 2026, upgrading your tech becomes part of welcoming new possibilities for the year ahead. Whether for work, creativity, or play, Lenovo’s range of powerful devices helps you step into the new year smarter, better, and more inspired.

Promo runs from February 1 to March 31, 2026.Terms and conditions apply.Per DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-247119 Series of 2026.

About Lenovo: 

Lenovo is a US$69 billion revenue global technology powerhouse, ranked #196 in the Fortune Global 500, and serving millions of customers every day in 180 markets. Focused on a bold vision to deliver Smarter Technology for All, Lenovo has built on its success as the world’s largest PC company with a full-stack portfolio of AI-enabled, AI-ready, and AI-optimized devices (PCs, workstations, smartphones, tablets), infrastructure (server, storage, edge, high performance computing and software defined infrastructure), software, solutions, and services. Lenovo’s continued investment in world-changing innovation is building a more equitable, trustworthy, and smarter future for everyone, everywhere. Lenovo is listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange under Lenovo Group Limited (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY). To find out more visit https://www.lenovo.com, and read about the latest news via our StoryHub.

Nurturing Dreams, Serving Purpose: How Two Filipino Entrepreneurs Grew Their Businesses with Sun Life by Their Side

  

Chef Czarina Sevilla of Avocadoria and Wendy Villanueva of Wilmar’s Taho

 

MANILA, PH – Behind every beloved Filipino food brand is a story of courage, creativity, and resilience. For Chef Czarina Sevilla, owner of Avocadoria, and Wendy Villanueva, owner of Wilmar’s Taho, building a brand meant transforming vibrant local flavors into thriving enterprises.

 

These women prove that success in entrepreneurship is built on passion, purpose, and planning for the future. Despite their different origins, both entrepreneurs share a common partner in their journey towards business growth: Sun Life.

 

Avocadoria: From a Simple Idea to a National Craze

 

For Chef Czarina Sevilla, Avocadoria was born from a desire to elevate the familiar. “We wanted to turn something familiar into something healthier, more meaningful, and proudly local,” she shared. What began as a simple idea has blossomed into a brand recognized locally for its creamy, avocado-based delights.

 

Avocadoria’s rise was fast, but its growth was intentional. Guided by the values of quality, consistency, and care, Chef Czarina made sure every product they served reflected the team’s dedication. However, the rapid growth of the business also brought hurdles. “Our biggest challenge was scaling while maintaining quality,” said Chef Czarina. “But we addressed this by strengthening our systems, training people well, and planning ahead especially in managing costs and risks.”

 

As the business grew, Chef Czarina realized the importance of protecting everything she has built, including her people, her operations, and her future. This motivated her to engage with Sun Life for their business protection and financial planning solutions. “Knowing we had proper coverage from Sun Life gave us the confidence to expand and invest in growth because risks were already planned for,” Chef Czarina explained.

 

Today, Avocadoria proudly operates multiple local and international branches. With Sun Life, Chef Czarina can enjoy peace of mind as she continues to serve her customers and grow her business.

 

Wilmar’s Taho: A Legacy Reimagined

 

Wendy Villanueva, owner of Wilmar’s Taho, was focused on keeping a thirty-year legacy moving forward. She runs the business guided by the values of integrity, consistency, and care. Started by her parents in 1990, the business faced its greatest test during the pandemic.

 

“I decided to sell taho online so that the business could continue and reach more customers,” Wendy recalls. Navigating local government regulations to ensure her vendors were classified as “essential” was a challenging task, but her commitment to her employees and her family’s heritage kept her driven. Supported by her husband and her family, Wendy transitioned the traditional street-side staple into a modern, digitally accessible brand.

 

For Wendy, partnering with Sun Life was about community and credibility. Beyond financial security, her relationship with Sun Life opened doors for the brand to reach new heights. “Being a Sun Life Client gave me opportunities like being invited to sell at the One Sun Life Congress,” she said. “It helped promote Wilmar’s Taho and build our brand’s credibility. This was our second time to serve Sun Lifers, and it’s always a pleasure to be a part of this community.”

 

With her personal and business finances secured, Wendy can focus on the future of Wilmar’s Taho, knowing that the legacy her parents started decades ago is strengthened for the next generation.

 

Future-Proof Your Business Today

 

The stories of Chef Czarina and Wendy highlight an important lesson for every Filipino entrepreneur: the best time to protect your business is while it is thriving. By choosing Sun Life, these two leaders have ensured that their dreams are shielded from the unexpected, allowing them to focus on what they do best – serving the flavors that Filipinos love.

 

To know more about Sun Life’s products and services for business owners, visit sunlife.co/entrepfinancialplan or talk to a Sun Life Financial Advisor today.

 

Wednesday, January 28, 2026

UMak launches first-of-its-kind ‘Barter Boutique’ for Students

 



The University of Makati (UMak), through its Center for Community Extension and Development (CCED), is redefining campus welfare with the official launch of the Pop-Up Corporate Boutique and Community Pantry.

"At UMak, we believe that a student's financial background should never be a barrier to their professional success," said UMak President Elyxzur Ramos. "This boutique is more than just a clothing drive; it is a lesson in solidarity. By trading a simple snack or a canned good for a corporate blazer, our students aren't just dressing for the job they want— sila ay nagtutulungan para sa kinabukasan ng bawat isa (they are helping each other for everyone's future)."

Breaking away from traditional donation models, this dual-purpose initiative allows students to "purchase" professional attire—essential for internships, job interviews, and academic presentations—not with money, but with basic food items for the community pantry. This innovative barter system ensures that students from less privileged backgrounds can meet professional requirements with dignity while simultaneously contributing to the university’s food security net.

The pop-up “Barter Boutique” located at the Lobby of the 4th Floor, Administration Building will be open once a month.

The boutique features pre-loved yet presentable corporate clothing, jewelry, and accessories donated by university employees and partner institutions. By promoting the reuse of quality apparel, the project also champions sustainable consumption and waste reduction within the Makati community.



The CCED will spearhead the long-term sustainability of the project, facilitating continuous resource mobilization from institutional stakeholders to ensure the boutique remains stocked for every graduating batch.

For more information about the initiative visit https://www.umak.edu.ph/newsroom/ and https://www.facebook.com/UMakPH.


About the University of Makati (UMak): The University of Makati is the University of the City of Makati.  It is a premier local university dedicated to providing inclusive education and holistic student development. UMak serves the children of less privileged citizens of the City so they can actively participate in and competitively partake of the City’s economic progress. Through the Center for Community Extension and Development (CCED), UMak initiates programs that foster social responsibility and community engagement.

One App for Every Trip: How GCash Brings All Your Travel Needs Together

 

The new year brings a new set of travel goals, from flying out for Lunar New Year for an auspicious celebration, going to an underrated island this summer, making the most of August’s two long weekends, or chasing snow on the other side of the globe. For many, however, traveling comes with worrying about the same old hypothetical scenarios that are also valid concerns, including flight delays to lost baggage. They overprepare and, in turn, are labeled as “OA.”

But let’s be clear, stigmatizing “OA” travelers is so 2025. This year, traveling is all about being ready, not only in terms of packing the freshest fits and knowing the hottest go-to spots you see on TikTok. It extends to securing a reliable travel insurance partner, wherein you get financial protection and more when things go wrong before and during your trips. When it comes to reliability with wide-ranging coverage and fast and easy application, there’s GInsure Travel, designed to make every journey smooth and worry-free.

Those who enjoy their trips to the fullest, knowing that GInsure has them covered, are classified as Type G travelers. They have GInsure as part of the travel routine and checklist, right alongside booking flights and packing bags. Here, we list down how Type G travelers turn every “baka” or “kaba” into assurance and confidence with GInsure, making it a certified travel essential.

Wide-ranging coverage. 

With GInsure Travel, you’re covered for medical emergencies, trip cancellations, lost baggage, and of course—flight delays. That means you’re safe from travel hiccups. 

Whether you’re going on a spontaneous solo trip or exploring a new city, GInsure lets you travel with peace of mind—knowing support is always within reach. GInsure’s Coverage includes up to ₱500,000 Emergency Medical Assistance and Emergency Travel Assistance, along with ₱50,000 Travel Inconvenience Benefit, ₱1M Personal Liability Benefit, and ₱1M Personal Accident coverage. The best part? GInsure’s standard travel protect starts at just ₱299for international travels and ₱103 for domestic trips.

Fast and easy to access

Even with its wide coverage, GInsure Travel does not involve tons of paperwork or time-consuming processes. It can be easily and readily availed straight from GCash in as fast as 5 minutes, and even up to two hours before the flight, making it ideal for last-minute or pahabol trips. To become a Type G traveler, simply Go to GInsure Marketplace, select Travel, choose Coverage Level, Review & Confirm Details.

Reliability in every step of the way

GInsure works best when paired with the right GCash products for every step of our journey. This begins even before Type G travelers set foot in the airport with GGives, which lets eligible GCash users instantly pay for flights, hotels, and other travel needs via the GCash app. Quick, flexible, and secure, GGives makes it easy to book a holiday trip without waiting for lump-sum payments, while allowing pay-in installments with zero downpayment. 

Next, during travels, there’s GCredit, a pre-approved digital credit line from GCash for everyday expenses or travel costs. It’s perfect for those night market food trips, on-the-spot bookings, and more! With flexible repayment and 0% interest on select promos, it helps Type G travelers manage their budget. It also features a “Pay Later” option with a credit line of up to 50K.

SWIPE-SCAN-TAP. 

Type G travelers can also pay seamlessly abroad through a GCash Travel Hack Model: Swipe, Scan, or Tap. Under Swipe with the GCash Visa card abroad, big-ticket splurges are more worthwhile with the lowest foreign exchange rates, charging in real-time, and savings compared to shopping with a credit card. Use GCash Scan to Pay abroad for daily expenses, such as daily food crawls, commutes, small-ticket sponty bookings, and more—all thanks to exclusive discounts from Alipay+ merchants. Lastly, you can also pay with GCash Tap to Pay abroad, perfect for last-minute shopping sprees. Major shopping & pasalubong hauls are made quick and smooth when Type G travelers tap to pay, letting them enjoy instant payment in any foreign currency and lowest forex rates with GCash.

Travel eSim.

Type G travelers stay connected abroad with fast, reliable data powered by an embedded SIM (eSIM). No physical SIM swaps, no interruptions—just seamless connectivity that keeps GCash fully accessible anytime, anywhere, using the best available network technology, including 5G where supported.

This 2026, complete your travel goals like never before as a Type G traveler. With GInsure Travel, get ready to discover places and collect experiences with no worries and all fun. Learn more about GCash by visiting www.gcash.com.

Lenovo Supercharges Enterprise AI with the Launch of Agentic AI and Lenovo xIQ to Deliver Full-Lifecycle Hybrid AI at Scale

 


Lenovo Agentic AI gives organizations the governance, tools, advice, and ongoing support needed to deploy and manage production-ready AI agents faster and smarter – turning AI ambition into measurable impact.

Three new Lenovo xIQ delivery platforms strengthen Lenovo’s Hybrid AI Advantage™ by delivering the automation and governance enterprises need to scale AI with confidence.

LAS VEGAS – Lenovo announced the next phase of its Hybrid AI Advantage™ with the launch of Lenovo Agentic AI, a new full-lifecycle enterprise solution for creating, deploying, and managing AI agents, and Lenovo xIQ a new suite of AI-native delivery platforms designed to simplify, accelerate, and operationalize AI across the enterprise. This evolution extends Lenovo’s established Hybrid AI Advantage™ from a foundational AI architecture to a more complete, lifecycle-driven approach for deploying and scaling AI across the enterprise.

Lenovo Hybrid AI Advantage™ is Lenovo’s end-to-end enterprise AI portfolio, providing the foundation for enterprise AI by combining Hybrid AI Factory, Lenovo AI Services, and the AI Library. Lenovo Agentic AI and Lenovo xIQ platforms build on this foundation by adding lifecycle services, automation, and governance so organizations can deploy, govern, and operate AI at enterprise scale with confidence.

Driving Measurable Impact with Agentic AI

Lenovo Agentic AI provides organizations with governance, tools, advice, and ongoing support to deploy and manage production-ready AI agents faster and smarter – turning AI ambition into measurable impact. By combining Lenovo AI Services and the Lenovo AI Library, a portfolio of validated and customizable use cases, with lifecycle automation and governance, Agentic AI helps enterprises deploy AI agents quickly and responsibly.  

Advisory services such as AI Discover for strategy development and AI Fast Start for rapid deployment enable organizations to begin their AI journey with confidence, accelerating time-to-value from initial proof-of-concept to full deployment in as little as three months.

Lenovo xIQ Strengthens Lenovo’s Hybrid AI Advantage™

Three new Lenovo xIQ delivery platforms span critical domains of enterprise AI execution: intelligent agents, the digital workplace, and hybrid infrastructure. Each platform delivers shared governance and automation to help organizations scale AI effectively:

• xIQ Agent Platform – Accelerates time-to-value by enabling rapid, no-code AI agent creation and deployment in minutes, with built-in governance to reduce risk.

• xIQ Digital Workplace Platform – Boosts employee productivity and IT efficiency through proactive issue detection, automated remediation, and personalized digital workplace experiences, achieving up to a 30% improvement in user experience, reducing IT support costs by 30%, and enabling up to 40% proactive resolution of IT issues.  

 

• xIQ Hybrid Cloud Platform – Optimizes cost, performance, and visibility across hybrid and multi-cloud environments by combining AIOps, FinOps, and DevOps for smarter operations.

Together, these capabilities streamline operations, embed trust, and accelerate innovation, helping organizations reduce risk and deliver measurable business outcomes.

Meeting Enterprise Demand for Agentic AI

Across industries, businesses want AI that acts, adapts, and delivers results — not just generates content. Lenovo Agentic AI addresses this demand by providing the services, governance, and speed needed to operationalize AI at scale.

By combining Lenovo AI Services with the Lenovo AI Library, Agentic AI helps organizations identify high-value use cases and accelerate deployment. The AI Library offers proven, repeatable approaches that reduce development effort, lower risk, and keep AI aligned to real business outcomes.

“Customers tell us every day that they want AI to deliver value, but they don’t need more complexity,” said Ken Wong, Executive Vice President and President, Solutions & Services Group, Lenovo. “With our Lenovo Hybrid AI Advantage™, AI Services, and AI Library, we give enterprises a clear starting point for AI, and our full-stack approach helps ensure AI agents deliver value in the parts of the business where they matter most.”

Closing the AI Maturity Gap

By 2027, IDC¹ expects agentic workflows to reshape task delivery and performance worldwide, even as most organizations report low maturity in operationalizing AI. This gap underscores the need for lifecycle services, proven use cases, and a platform architecture that supports responsible, repeatable deployment.

Lenovo is already helping customers address this challenge. In partnership with Yili Group, one of the world’s leading dairy producers, Lenovo applied its Agentic AI approach to transform operations. Through Lenovo AI Services, Yili piloted voice-of-the-customer analytics to personalize engagement, implemented a supply chain control tower for real-time visibility, and introduced digital commerce tools to accelerate growth. These initiatives demonstrate how Lenovo’s end-to-end portfolio and capabilities turns AI potential into practical outcomes —  improving efficiency, resilience, and customer experience.

“Yili is accelerating innovation and building a more intelligent supply chain, with Lenovo providing strong support and partnering with us to explore new opportunities for leveraging AI across our operations,” said Tiger Shang, General Manager of the Data Technology Center at Yili Group. “These AI capabilities have improved employee efficiency and helped us better serve our customers.”

Bringing It All Together: A Complete Enterprise AI Ecosystem

Lenovo Hybrid AI Advantage™ provides the foundation for enterprise AI with architecture, services, and accelerators. Lenovo Agentic AI brings lifecycle governance and automation to AI agents, while Lenovo xIQ applies these capabilities across the enterprise — from intelligent agents to the digital workplace and hybrid infrastructure. Together, they deliver a complete approach to operationalizing AI at scale.

This unique combination of AI PCs, hybrid infrastructure, AI-native platforms, lifecycle services, and validated use cases positions Lenovo as one of the few providers capable of supporting the entire enterprise AI journey. From creating AI agents in minutes to managing them across devices, data centers, and cloud environments, Lenovo helps organizations operationalize AI wherever data and teams work.

Learn More

To explore how Lenovo helps organizations adopt production-ready AI agents, visit lenovo.com/aiservices.

About Lenovo

Lenovo is a US$69 billion revenue global technology powerhouse, ranked #196 in the Fortune Global 500, and serving millions of customers every day in 180 markets. Focused on a bold vision to deliver Smarter Technology for All, Lenovo has built on its success as the world’s largest PC company with a full-stack portfolio of AI-enabled, AI-ready, and AI-optimized devices (PCs, workstations, smartphones, tablets), infrastructure (server, storage, edge, high performance computing and software defined infrastructure), software, solutions, and services. Lenovo’s continued investment in world-changing innovation is building a more equitable, trustworthy, and smarter future for everyone, everywhere.

Lenovo is listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange under Lenovo Group Limited (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY). To find out more visit https://www.lenovo.com, and read about the latest news via our StoryHub.   

¹ Source: IDC FutureScape: Worldwide Future of Work 2025 Predictions (IDC #US52598024, October 2024) and IDC White Paper “Realizing ROI from Agentic AI,” August 2025.

 

3 Bright Ways to Maximize Your VUL

  

Ivan Corcuera, Head of Insurance Investments at Sun Life Investment Management and Trust Corporation


For many Filipinos, Variable Unit-Linked (VUL) insurance has become a popular choice for navigating financial milestones. By combining life insurance protection with an investment component, it provides a versatile platform to ensure your family’s security while potentially growing your wealth.

 

However, simply having a VUL policy is not the same as making it work for you. To help Clients get the most out of their plans, here are tips from Ivan Corcuera, Head of Insurance Investments at Sun Life Investment Management and Trust Corporation, on how to turn a VUL policy into a powerhouse for your financial future.

 

  1. Optimize protection with the “5x Rule”.

A VUL is, first and foremost, a tool for protection. Maximizing its value means ensuring the face amount – the guaranteed benefit – is sufficient to cover a family’s needs. A helpful rule of thumb is to aim for a target protection amount equal to five times your annual expenses plus any outstanding debt. For example, if annual expenses are PHP 1,000,000 and there is an outstanding debt of PHP 5,000,000, an insurance plan with a face amount of at least PHP 10,000,000 should be secured.

 

“Adequate protection is the foundation of any financial plan,” Corcuera notes. “By calculating the required coverage based on actual expenses and liabilities, policyholders can ensure that their VUL serves its primary purpose: providing a solid safety net.”

 

  1. Use top-ups to fuel growth.

One of the most underutilized features of a VUL is the top-up feature. Whenever extra funds, such as a 13th month pay or a performance bonus, become available, they can be added to the policy’s investment component.

 

“Think of a VUL as a vehicle for long-term goals,” says Corcuera. “Regular top-ups are like adding extra fuel to that engine. Because these top-ups go straight into the chosen investment fund after minimal charges, they allow for the advantage of market opportunities and compound growth to happen.”

 

  1. Diversify through fund switching.

Financial goals change, and so does the market. Most VUL policies allow for the switching of holdings from one fund to another, as one’s risk appetite evolves. Instead of withdrawing the value early, consider fund switching to adapt to market conditions or changing life stages without disrupting the policy’s continuity.

 

“Market cycles are inevitable,” Corcuera explains. “By periodically reviewing your portfolio and utilizing fund switching, investments can stay aligned with the current economic landscape. It’s about being proactive rather than passive when it comes to your finances.”

 

The true power of a VUL plan is realized through time and discipline. With a proactive approach and regular consultations with a Sun Life financial advisor, VUL remains a reliable partner in achieving a brighter, more secure future.

 

To learn more about VUL, visit www.sunlife.co/VUL101 or talk to a Sun Life advisor today.

Tuesday, January 27, 2026

“STAR WARS: MAUL – SHADOW LORD” TO PREMIERE ON DISNEY+ APRIL 6, 2026



An all-new animated series from Lucasfilm Animation, “Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord,” will premiere on Disney+ April 6, 2026. Two episodes will premiere each week, with the final two airing on the ultimate Star Wars holiday, May the 4th. Set after the events of “Star Wars: The Clone Wars,” this pulpy adventure finds Maul plotting to rebuild his criminal syndicate on a planet untouched by the Empire. There, he crosses paths with a disillusioned young Jedi Padawan who could be the apprentice he is seeking to aid him in his relentless pursuit for revenge.


“Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord” is created by Dave Filoni, based on Star Wars and characters created by George Lucas. The series is developed by Dave Filoni and Matt Michnovetz. Brad Rau is supervising director. The executive producers are Dave Filoni, Athena Yvette Portillo, Matt Michnovetz, Brad Rau, Carrie Beck, and Josh Rimes. Alex Spotswood is the co-executive producer. The voice cast includes Sam Witwer as Maul, Gideon Adlon as Devon Izara, Oscar® nominee Wagner Moura as Brander Lawson, Richard Ayoade as Two-Boots, Dennis Haysbert as Master Eeko-Dio-Daki, Chris Diamantopoulos as Looti Vario, Charlie Bushnell as Rylee Lawson, Vanessa Marshall as Rook Kast, David C. Collins as Spybot, A.J. LoCascio as Marrok, and Steve Blum as Icarus.


****


About Disney+

Disney+ is the dedicated streaming home for movies and shows from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic and Hulu, along with The Simpsons and much more. The service offers an ever-growing collection of exclusive originals, including feature-length films, documentaries, live-action and animated series, and short-form content. With unprecedented access to Disney’s long history of incredible film and television entertainment, Disney+ is also the exclusive streaming home for the newest releases from The Walt Disney Studios. For more, visit disneyplus.com, or find the Disney+ app on select compatible mobile and connected TV devices.


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Upgrade for the New Year: Lenovo Offers Up to ₱5,000 Pluxee Vouchers This Chinese New Year

  Welcome the new year with smarter technology as Lenovo ushers in the season with its Lenovo Chinese New Year Promo 2026, offering exciting...