Smarter FX that Moves Cebu SMEs Forward: PETNET Inc.

As cross-border transactions become increasingly essential to everyday business operations, Philippine SMEs are finding new opportunities in industries such as export-import, outsourcing, e-commerce, tourism, and other globally connected sectors. Alongside these opportunities, however, comes the growing challenge of managing international payments efficiently: particularly in terms of timing, cost, transparency, and foreign exchange (FX) fluctuations.

For many businesses, delays in payment processing, unpredictable exchange rates, and limited visibility over international transactions can directly affect cash flow, operational efficiency, and financial planning.

Addressing these challenges, PETNET Inc. continues to strengthen its role as a trusted provider of cross-border payment and foreign exchange solutions that help businesses move money across borders faster, more securely, and with greater predictability.

Established in 1998, PETNET has grown into one of the country’s leading financial services networks, with over 3,000 service locations nationwide. The company offers a wide range of services including remittances, foreign exchange, payment solutions, banking access points, ticketing, cash services, and insurance partnerships for both individual and business clients.

Its extensive network is supported by strategic partnerships with major institutions and brands such as Western Union, Bayad Center, AirAsia, Cebu Pacific, Malayan Insurance, and City Savings Bank, helping make financial services more accessible and convenient across different customer needs.

For Cebu-based enterprises working with international clients, suppliers, and partners, reliable financial systems are critical to sustaining day-to-day operations and long-term growth. Whether receiving overseas payments, managing foreign exchange requirements, or handling cross-border business expenses, streamlined financial processes help reduce uncertainty and improve overall cash flow management.

Through PETNET’s foreign exchange and cross-border payment services, businesses benefit from faster transaction processing, clearer exchange rates, and dependable payment solutions that support more efficient fund management while minimizing unnecessary delays and operational friction.

By simplifying international financial transactions, PETNET enables businesses to focus more on growth, expansion, and customer service instead of navigating complex payment processing concerns.

Enterprises interested in learning more about PETNET’s foreign exchange and cross-border payment solutions may directly coordinate with Ms. Sweetie Go at 0917-883-8890 or via email at sweetie.go@petnet.com.ph.

 HOPE builds 25 classrooms in 2025

Some of the completed and under-construction HOPE classrooms in 2025

Since its founding in 2012, HOPE has built a total of 167 classrooms, providing safe and
conducive learning environments for over 53,000 Filipino children nationwide, and will
continue to benefit future generations of students. This underscores HOPE’s long-term
commitment to improving access to quality education for Filipino youth.
As a way to help the future of our country, HOPE recognizes the need for investments in the
Philippine education sector, specifically public school classrooms, and giving attention to the
“last mile schools” or those located in the remote areas in the country.
“I am deeply grateful to be rooted in the work of HOPE at a time when the world continues to
ask so much of the human spirit. The past year was shaped by people who chose HOPE
and translated that choice into action through partnerships, communities, and everyday
decisions that moved our work forward,” said Nanette Medved-Po, HOPE Chairperson and
Founder.
One of HOPE’s highlights of 2025 is the launch of Generation HOPE, a partnership with the
country’s most beloved brands to help address the urgent need of building more public-
school classrooms nationwide. Together with BDO, Carmen’s Best, Sunnies, Grab, SM
Supermalls, The Aivee Clinic, and Penshoppe, different initiatives were kick-started to invite
every Filipino to join the wave of building public-school classrooms.

Generation HOPE merchandise and programs launched in 2025, together with partner brands

“To every individual who chooses to support, share, and participate, this is your impact. Your

belief fuels this work and allows hope to reach more communities, classrooms, and futures

across the Philippines,” she added.

To know more about HOPE’s 2025 Impact Report, please visit

https://generationhope.ph/hope-impact. Please follow HOPE on Facebook at

https://www.facebook.com/generationhope.ph or @generationhope.ph on Instagram for

more updates.

The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) convened business leaders yesterday at The Wave Towers, IT Park, to highlight its upcoming Tokyo Trade Mission, scheduled for February 25–27, 2026. The mission will focus on disaster resilience, healthcare innovation, and sustainable urban development.

The initiative aligns with Cebu’s ongoing efforts to strengthen urban resilience, climate adaptation, and healthcare systems. Recent flooding events in the region have highlighted the need for robust flood control infrastructure, proactive disaster preparedness, and resilient urban planning, emphasizing the importance of long-term, integrated solutions.

Healthcare remains a priority, particularly in supporting disaster response and community resilience. Access to quality medical services, emergency response systems, and durable healthcare infrastructure is essential for protecting lives and enabling frontline workers to perform effectively during emergencies.

Japan was selected as a strategic learning partner due to its extensive experience in managing natural hazards such as typhoons, floods, and earthquakes. Through sustained investments in flood control infrastructure, smart city development, and advanced healthcare systems, Japan has developed models that offer practical lessons for Cebu’s development objectives.

The Tokyo Trade Mission will enable participants to:

Participate in Care Show Japan 2026, Asia’s leading healthcare exhibition, to explore healthcare innovation, elderly care solutions, digital health technologies, and workforce development;

Engage with NTT Urban Development to gain insights into transit-oriented development, mixed-use projects, digital infrastructure, and resilient urban planning; and

Visit major flood control facilities, including the Shibuya Station Underground Tank and the Kanda / Loop 7 Underground Regulating Reservoir, to study large-scale urban flood management and disaster risk reduction systems.

During the preparatory Coffee Break session, CCCI gathered input from over 20 participants representing various sectors of the Cebu business community. Feedback will be incorporated into the final mission program to ensure alignment with local priorities and maximize actionable outcomes.

CCCI expressed gratitude to Cebu Landmasters for supporting and hosting the session, highlighting that collaboration with international partners is key to advancing Cebu’s long-term economic and urban development goals.

The chamber encourages stakeholders and partners to engage with the initiative and support efforts to deliver meaningful and sustainable outcomes for the province.

Padayon Cebu! 

 The Philippines’ Next-Gen Heroes: Samsung reveals the grand winners of Solve

for Tomorrow 2025

Samsung announces the three grand winners for its 3rd Solve for Tomorrow competition in the Philippines

The Grand Winners of Solve for Tomorrow

2025, with the Third Prize awarded to Team

“BANTALAY” from Tuguegarao City Science

High School, the Second Prize awarded to

Team “EGGNovation” from Cavite Science

Integrated School, and the First Prize

awarded to Team “MaHeMo” from Cavite

Science Integrated School.

The Second Prize winners from Cavite

Science Integrated School, consisting of

members Adam Uriel Berganos, Jared Y.

Cabillan, Niel Jullian M. Caringal, Cedrick A.

Del Mundo, and their adviser, Mharlotte O.

Ilagan, with their project entitled

;EGGNovation: Egg Quality Control

Segregator.”

Together with the winning team are (from left

to right) Mr. Jun Guevara, Head of Corporate

Marketing at Samsung Electronics

Philippines; Ms. Dove Cometa, Project

Development Officer III, and Ms. Zeny

Lastimosa, Project Development Officer at the Department of Education; Mr. Roman

Han, President of Samsung Electronics

Philippines; and Taekyun Kim, Chief Financial

Officer at Samsung Electronics Philippines.

This year’s First Prize winners from Cavite
Science Integrated School, which consists of
members Elisha Lhane Althea Ramos, Harly
P. Bautista, Jhacis Miguel Causapin, Eileen
Cassandra S. Datu, and their teacher adviser,
Jeremae V. Varias, with their winning entry,
"Mangrove Health Monitor (MaHeMo): A
Solar-Powered, Water-Quality Sensing Buoy
for Monitoring Mangrove Ecosystem Health."
Joining the First Prize winners are (from left
to right) Mr. Jun Guevara, Head of Corporate
Marketing at Samsung Electronics
Philippines; Ms. Dove Cometa, Project
Development Officer III, and Ms. Zeny
Lastimosa, Project Development Officer at
the Department of Education; Mr. Roman
Han, President of Samsung Electronics
Philippines; and Taekyun Kim, Chief Financial
Officer at Samsung Electronics Philippines.

The remaining teams in the top 10 will receive Php 15,000 in cash for their team and Php 5,000 for their teacher.
The teams are “FloodSafe Routes AI: An AI Smart Route and Hazard Mapping System for Schools” from Philippine
Science High School - Caraga Region Campus, “SINAG: Eco-Sustainable Carbon Dots from Biomass for Bio-Based
Solar Light Harvesting” from Bansud NHS - Regional Science High School, “The S.W.E.A.T Project” from Philippine
Science High School Main Campus, “S.A.G.I.P.: Solar-powered Autonomous Geolocation and Information Protocol
for Disaster Mitigation” from Cavite Science Integrated School, “ShellTer: Earthquake-Resistant Precast Using
Walnut and Pistachio Shell Waste for Sustainable Construction” from Philippine Science High School - Central
Luzon Campus, “Plasfix: SARIMAX Forecasting of Rabbitfish (Siganus) Catch Volume in Pangasinan by Evaluating
Plastic-Induced Seagrass Decline” from Pasay City Science High School, and “VITALBAND: A Galaxy AI-Integrated
Health and Disaster Monitoring Wristband for Filipinos” from Marikina Science High School.

Together for Tomorrow: Enabling People

Solve for Tomorrow started as a simple essay competition in 2010, but over the years it has evolved into a dynamic

platform where students collaborate to develop meaningful, future-shaping projects. Aligned with Samsung’s

mission to make technology accessible while empowering the next generation of “next-gen heroes,” the program

has spent the last 15 years equipping students with real-world experience and design thinking skills—helping them

create practical, technology-driven solutions to real challenges.

This year’s competition focuses on empowering communities through technology, featuring themes on

Environmental Sustainability through Technology, Social Change through Tech and Sport, and Solving Community

Problems with Artificial Intelligence (AI). With the support of the Department of Education, Solve for Tomorrow

2025 received over 300 entries from Grades 8–10 students in public science high schools—narrowed down to 10

finalists and, ultimately, 3 grand winners.

Roman Han, President of Samsung Philippines, shared an inspiring message about the success of this year’s Solve

for Tomorrow: “Here at Samsung, we believe our success is inseparable from the progress of the communities we

serve. Solve for Tomorrow embodies this belief by empowering the next generation of heroes in our own local

communities nationwide—equipping our young innovators with the education, tools, and opportunities they need

to create their proposals for a better future.

He added, “Guided by our vision, ‘Together for Tomorrow: Enabling People’, we have remained dedicated for 15

years in enabling future leaders as they transform their ideas into meaningful, lasting impact, and we will continue

this dedication for many years to come.”

Ms. Dove Cometa, Project Development

Officer III at the Department of Education

(DepEd), giving her welcoming remarks to the

Top 10 Finalists, emphasizing DepEd’s

continuous support for Samsung’s Solve for

Tomorrow initiative.

Mr. Jun Guevara, Head of Corporate

Marketing at Samsung Electronics

Philippines, closes the program with

congratulatory remarks to all the Grand

Champions, as well as the other Top 10

Finalists joining in at the Solve for Tomorrow

2025 Awarding Ceremony.

For more information on Samsung’s Solve for Tomorrow program in the Philippines, you can visit

https://www.samsung.com/ph/solve-for-tomorrow/. Learn more about Samsung’s innovative projects by visiting

https://www.samsung.com/ph/.

 Ready to move, groove, and glow up your wardrobe? The Blue Camp Dance Challenge is taking over Cebu—and it’s not just a trend, it’s a full-on style revolution. Whether you’re a student, a weekend wanderer, or a TikTok queen, this is your moment to shine.

 What Is Blue Camp?

Blue Camp is Metro’s latest fashion drop, designed for everyday style that feels elevated. Think:

• Tees from ₱349

• Jeans from ₱899

• Shoes from ₱899

It’s affordable, inclusive, and made for everyone—men, women, and teens. Whether you’re heading to class or hanging out with friends, Blue Camp has your essentials covered.

 Available now at:

• Metro Ayala Center Cebu

• Metro Colon

 Or shop online at ShopMetro.ph

 Why the Blue Camp Dance Challenge Is Blowing Up

This isn’t just another Facebook/Instagram/ TikTok trend—it’s a celebration of self-expression, community, and smart style. Here’s why it’s going viral:

•  Relatable Moves: Easy-to-learn steps that anyone can master

•  Catchy Beat: The soundtrack is pure energy

•  Inclusive Vibes: Teens, titas, and trendsetters are all joining in

•  Rewards & Features: Get featured on Metro’s socials and win exclusive perks

 Pro Tip: Use hashtags like #ShopThemetroStores #thenewbluecampishere #BlueCampDanceChallenge and #MetroOOTD to boost your visibility!

 Smart Shopping Starts Here

Don’t forget your Metro Rewards card when you shop—because smart style deserves smart perks. Whether you’re dancing in denim or twirling in tees, Blue Camp is your everyday upgrade.

 Watch the video. Learn the moves. Post your own version.
Tag @TheMetroStores and use #BlueCampDanceChallenge to get noticed!

Blue Camp isn’t just fashion—it’s a feeling. And it’s waiting for you at Metro