Casino Plus hosted the historic, invitation-only event on October 30 at Dusit Thani, Makati City, Philippines, where Casino Plus players received an exclusive preview of Game Night, Evolution's newest live casino game show, ahead of its commercial release. The evening also included an awarding ceremony led by Cristina Hsia, Evolution's Country Manager for the Philippines, alongside the Casino Plus CEO. 

“This is a historic first for Casino Plus and for the Philippine market,” said Casino Plus CEO Evan Spytma.“Evolution's decision to bring its first-ever offline collaboration in the country to Casino Plus reflects years of consistent work under PAGCOR's regulatory framework. For our players, it is assurance that the platform they use every day is held to the standards of one of the most established names in live casino. For the industry, it shows what a regulated Philippine operator and a global supplier can build together.”

Why Casino Plus was first

Casino Plus began its partnership with Evolution in 2022 with slot games and expanded its online casino offerings to include Evolution's live casino portfolio in May 2023. Evolution, listed on Nasdaq Stockholm and active in regulated markets worldwide, conducts due diligence before entering customer relationships and continues to evaluate partners over time.

Gionata La Torre, Evolution CEO Asia, described Casino Plus as the company's “trusted partner in the regulated Philippine market” and “the natural choice” for its first offline engagement in the country.

“We value their reliability, how they run their platform, and their commitment to responsible gaming and the player experience,” La Torre said. “Our decision to work with Casino Plus on this milestone reflects the trust we have built in the relationship and the standards we have seen through our years of working together.”

Spytma said the partnership was earned through conduct rather than claims. “Trust is not something we announce. It is something partners like Evolution see in how we operate every day, under PAGCOR's rules,” he said. “Integrity is the foundation of everything we build, and this collaboration is what that looks like from the outside.”

A regulated operator with international reach

The collaboration adds an international proof point to the compliance record Casino Plus has built under PAGCOR, including Know Your Customer verification, anti-money laundering controls and a ₱1-billion PhilFirst Surety Bond Protection Program for qualified player funds launched in December 2025.

It also places Casino Plus at the centre of Evolution's growing Philippine presence. The supplier opened its first live casino studio in Asia, in Cebu, in 2025, and La Torre said the country is “a key part of our growth in Asia.”

Casino Plus and Evolution described the event as the beginning of a longer-term partnership, with plans to continue developing new gaming experiences for Filipino players. “Our biggest goal is to keep building our relationship over time and create experiences that matter to Filipino players,” La Torre said.

“A historic first only matters if it leads somewhere. Game Night is the first chapter, not the last,” Spytma said. “This is a milestone for the regulated Philippine market as much as for Casino Plus. It shows global suppliers that licensed local operators are ready to build world-class experiences with them.”

What it means for Casino Plus players

Casino Plus players were the first in the country to see Game Night, which adapts the format of a classic games night into a live casino game show. It is built around a 54-segment money wheel, with multipliers on every spin and five bonus games: Connect 4, Battleship, Hungry Hungry Hippos, Snakes and Ladders, and Rock Paper Scissors.

Evolution said it plans, where possible, to offer Casino Plus players early access to selected new Evolution games, alongside continued joint online and offline campaigns in the Philippines.

“Our mission is to bring fun to people, and to do it responsibly,” Spytma said. “Taking Evolution's games off the screen and into the room for our players is that mission at its best. They deserve experiences built to global standards, and that is what we intend to keep delivering.”

“For Evolution, partnering with Casino Plus means taking a relationship we have built over several years and bringing it to life in a new way for Filipino players,” La Torre said. “We share a focus on quality, innovation, responsible gaming and the player experience.”

Casino Plus began its partnership with Evolution in November 2021 with slot games and expanded its online casino offerings to include Evolution's live casino portfolio in May 2023.

RESPONSIBLE GAMING ADVISORY

In accordance with PAGCOR’s Responsible Gaming Code of Practice, Casino Plus wishes to remind all players of the following:

Gaming is for entertainment purposes only. It should not be considered a source of income or a means of financial relief. Players are encouraged to play responsibly and within their means.

Winning is never guaranteed. All gaming outcomes are determined by chance. Past results, including jackpot wins, do not influence or predict future outcomes.

Gaming is for persons 21 years old and above only. Gambling can be addictive. Know when to stop. For assistance, email ResponsibleGaming@pagcor.ph.

In celebration of the International Volunteer Year (IVY) 2026, the Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation (ASSIST) is inviting amateur and professional photographers across Asia to submit their work for the Ten Photos to Shake the World (TPSW 2026) for a chance to win cash prizes and showcase their advocacies. 

As a pan-Asian non-profit committed to sustainable development across the region, ASSIST centers TPSW 2026 on the theme “Volunteers in Frame: Capturing the Spirit of Volunteerism and Social Impact.” The competition spotlights the transformative role local volunteers play in driving civic action and social change – an effort ASSIST is proud to align with the spirit of IVY 2026.

The Executive Coordinator of the United Nations Volunteers (UNV), Toily Kurbanov, says about TPSW 2026: "Too often, volunteers are the people behind the scenes. In the spirit of the International Volunteer Year, this competition puts them in the frame and highlights the role they play in building stronger communities."

First launched in 2011, TPSW was created to elevate diverse themes of social responsibility through photography. Following a brief hiatus after 2022, the competition makes its high-profile return in 2026 with a renewed focus on local volunteerism. The competition is open to amateur and professional photographers across the Philippines, Vietnam, India, Indonesia, and Thailand, inviting visual storytellers to capture the unsung efforts driving local progress. 

“Volunteerism is love put to action,” says Francis Macatulad, representing ASSIST. Beyond being a noble ideal, volunteerism serves as a crucial driving force behind ASSIST’s social development and community transformation projects across Asia. “Volunteers are the hearts, hands and voices of an organization's social development program---unpaid and often unsung heroes. With TPSW, ASSIST Asia hopes to celebrate their passion and recognize their invaluable contribution to nation-building,” he adds.

ASSIST Rep also encourages photographers to participate and amplify grassroots volunteer efforts through photography and storytelling.

Participants are invited to submit original photographs that illustrate local volunteer efforts, with top entries competing for cash prizes, international recognition, and features across organizational platforms. 

Submit your entries now and have an opportunity to win awards and cash prizes! 

Submission of entries is extended until November 20, 2026.

For mechanics and questions, visit the TPSW official Facebook page.

Cebuana Lhuillier Foundation Inc. (CLFI) through Proyekto Custodia: The National Sacred Art and Church Heritage Initiative, is supporting the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) in its efforts to safeguard the country’s religious art. As part of this program, more than 100 antique religious artworks, devotional icons, and ceremonial church objects from the collection of Cebuana Lhuillier Founder and Chairman, Philippine Ambassador to Spain and Andorra, H.E. Philippe J. Lhuillier, will be shared with selected churches across the Philippines.

Proyekto Custodia aims to help the CBCP care for the country’s religious and artistic legacy by bringing these objects to historic churches, missionary parishes, and rural chapels, where they can be appreciated in settings that reflect their religious significance.

Jean Henri Lhuillier, President and CEO of Cebuana Lhuillier, said the project reflects the family’s desire to support the Church’s work. “My father, Ambassador Lhuillier, has long appreciated how religious art serves as an avenue to showcase history. It is meaningful for us to share part of his collection with the Church and support the CBCP’s efforts to look after these pieces. Through Proyekto Custodia, we hope these artworks will find a home in churches where parishioners and visitors can learn about and appreciate their significance.”

Under the partnership, the CBCP will help endorse Proyekto Custodia to more than 100 heritage churches nationwide and guide the identification of suitable recipients.

In his message for the project, CBCP President Archbishop Gilbert Garcera emphasized that safeguarding religious art is a shared responsibility. “The preservation of our sacred heritage is not the responsibility of the clergy alone. It is a shared mission involving the Church, the laity, cultural institutions, private foundations, artists, historians, and local communities,” he said.

For Jo-Ann Tacorda, First Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of Cebuana Lhuillier, coordination with recipient churches will be important to the project’s implementation: “We want each piece to go to a church where it can be properly cared for and appreciated. Working with the CBCP helps us understand each church’s needs and ensure that the artworks are placed in settings suited to their purpose and history.”

Through Proyekto Custodia, CLFI is supporting the CBCP’s efforts to care for the country’s religious art and keep these works part of church life across the Philippines.

The energy was unmistakable as industry leaders, innovators, and decision-makers gathered for the 21st Philippine Semiconductor & Electronics Convention and Exhibition (PSECE) 2026 at the SMX Convention Center Manila. Organized by SEIPI, the event once again served as a premier platform for discussions, technology showcases, and collaboration across the Philippine semiconductor and electronics sector.

As a proud media partner of the event, Keepital was honored to be part of another successful edition of PSECE. The exhibition floor brought together a remarkable mix of manufacturers, suppliers, technical experts, government representatives, and business leaders, creating an environment where meaningful conversations and industry partnerships could thrive. Throughout the show, the steady flow of visitors and the quality of engagements reinforced PSECE's reputation as one of the country's most important industry gatherings.

Beyond supporting the event, Keepital also engaged directly with attendees through its walkthrough video where they interviewed various exhibitors on the show floor as well as through its continued promotion of the KeepCard. Interest in the NFC-powered digital networking solution remained strong, particularly following the launch of its online purchasing feature. Many visitors took advantage of the special expo pricing available exclusively during the event, discovering a more convenient way to share professional information, company profiles, and contact details with a simple tap.

The strong reception to KeepCard highlighted a growing demand for modern networking tools within highly technical and relationship-driven industries. Conversations throughout the exhibition extended beyond individual purchases, opening discussions on how organizations can leverage digital business cards to streamline networking and enhance professional engagement across teams.

More importantly, PSECE 2026 demonstrated the value of bringing an industry together under one roof. The event created opportunities for knowledge-sharing, collaboration, and innovation at a time when the semiconductor and electronics sectors continue to play an increasingly important role in the Philippine economy and global supply chain. The quality of attendees, depth of discussions, and breadth of solutions on display made the exhibition a valuable experience for exhibitors and visitors alike.

As another successful chapter of PSECE comes to a close, Keepital extends its appreciation to SEIPI and the organizing team for delivering an outstanding event. The company remains proud to support initiatives that strengthen industries, foster connections, and drive innovation. With the continued growth of the convention and the industry it serves, Keepital looks forward to supporting future editions of PSECE and contributing to its success in the years ahead.

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Moving beyond traditional property displays, P.A. Properties gave prospective homeowners the opportunity to experience the design, layout, and features of the Solida model firsthand, helping them envision their future homes and take a step closer to homeownership.

The initiative reflected the company’s willingness to explore new approaches and push its capabilities to create a more engaging homebuying experience. The results demonstrated the initiative’s effectiveness, with P.A. Properties recorded 32 unit reservations during the two-day event.

P.A. Properties Hankyu Hanshin, the company’s joint venture behind the Idesia brand, also recorded 9 unit reservations during the two-day event, further strengthening the group’s overall sales performance and demonstrating continued market interest in its housing offerings.

Why SOLIDA?

For P.A. Properties, SOLIDA represents more than a house model. It embodies the company’s product philosophy: Matibay, Maganda, Mabilis, at Abot-kaya — durable, beautiful, efficiently delivered, and affordable.

The model reflects the company’s commitment to providing Filipino families with practical, well-designed, and attainable homes that deliver quality, design, and value.

A Milestone for the Team and the Brand

Bringing the Solida mock-up to the expo for the first time challenged P.A. Properties to go beyond its usual practices. The initiative required extensive coordination, adaptability, and teamwork, bringing out the best in the people behind the project.

Architect Marwin Laro, Vice President for Planning, Design and Engineering, highlighted the collaboration behind the achievement.

“This first-time initiative challenged us to go beyond our usual processes and work together to turn the concept into reality. Seeing the mock-up come to life made all the hard work worthwhile,” Laro said.

The successful showcase of the Solida mock-up reflects P.A. Properties’ commitment to continuously improve how it serves aspiring Filipino homeowners. Through innovative housing solutions, thoughtfully designed communities, and customer-focused initiatives, the company remains dedicated to making homeownership more accessible and attainable.

As P.A. Properties continues to grow and innovate, it invites Filipino families to explore its range of housing offerings and discover a home that suits their needs, lifestyle, and budget.

“This milestone reflects our commitment to continuously find better ways to serve Filipino families. We remain focused on providing quality, affordable housing options and making the journey toward homeownership more accessible to the communities we serve,” said Marianne Reyna Lina-Cruz, CEO & President of P.A. Properties.

P.A. Properties’ participation in the 2nd National Housing Expo reinforces its commitment to making homeownership more attainable through thoughtfully designed housing and customer-focused initiatives.

TradingPRO has announced the launch of the TradingPRO Learning Hub, a dedicated education page now live and accessible to all traders. The platform currently offers 7 courses made up of 115 lessons, developed by TradingPRO's in-house team and structured as a step-by-step learning path from basic to advanced modules.

The Learning Hub is designed to give traders, regardless of experience level, a clear and organised way to build trading knowledge. Rather than searching across scattered sources, learners can follow the modules in sequence and progress through concepts in a logical order, each lesson building on the one before it.

The courses are designed to work for different starting points. New traders can work through the foundational modules before moving forward. Those with some experience can use the middle modules to close gaps in areas like risk management or market structure. More experienced traders can work through the advanced content to refresh habits or revisit concepts they may have covered quickly earlier on.

TradingPRO recommends pairing each lesson with practice on a demo account, available on both MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, so that concepts can be tested in a risk-free environment before being applied to live markets.

The Learning Hub is free to access and available to both existing TradingPRO clients and members of the public.

To explore the full course list, visit the TradingPRO Learning Hub

Stay Connected with TradingPRO:

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As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to transform how people work, organizations are embracing its ability to streamline tasks, accelerate decision-making, and improve productivity. But amid the growing enthusiasm for AI, one important question remains: Are workplaces becoming more efficient at the expense of employee well-being?

This question was at the center of Premier Value Provider, Inc. (PVP)'s recently concluded mental health webinar, “Smarter Work, Healthier Minds? The Mental Health Impact of AI,” held on October 28, 2026.

The session is facilitated by Jose Mari A. Hulleza, MA, RPm, RPsy, a Registered Psychometrician and Registered Psychologist, who explored the opportunities and potential psychosocial risks associated with AI adoption, highlighting why technology must support- not replace- human care, critical thinking, and meaningful workplace relationships.

The Hidden Mental Health Risks of AI in the Workplace  

While AI offers opportunities to reduce repetitive tasks and simplify increasingly complex workloads, the webinar highlighted how excessive dependence on technology may create new challenges for employee mental health.

Among the concerns discussed were reduced opportunities for independent problem-solving, declining confidence in one's abilities, and fewer meaningful interpersonal interactions.

Hulleza explained how constantly turning to AI for answers, ideas, and decisions could gradually limit opportunities for employees to exercise their own judgment and critical thinking skills.

The discussion also explored the growing use of conversational AI for emotional support, emphasizing that while these tools may provide accessible information and interaction, they cannot replace genuine empathy, personal relationships, or professional mental health care.

Can AI Really Reduce Employee Burnout?  

One of the webinar's most thought-provoking discussions centered on the relationship between AI, workload, and employee burnout.

Although AI can automate repetitive tasks and reduce administrative burdens, Hulleza emphasized that improving efficiency does not automatically address the organizational conditions contributing to employee stress.

Unrealistic deadlines, excessive performance expectations, unclear priorities, and unhealthy workplace systems may continue to affect employees even after AI tools are introduced.

The discussion challenged organizations to look beyond technological solutions and examine whether their policies, leadership practices, and work environments genuinely support employee well-being.

Putting People at the Center of AI Adoption

Beyond identifying risks, the webinar highlighted how organizations can use AI more responsibly to support healthier workplaces.

These approaches include developing clear workplace AI policies, protecting data privacy, providing continuous employee education, encouraging independent judgment, and evaluating how AI implementation affects workload and psychological safety.

The discussion also emphasized the value of establishing a baseline understanding of employees' mental health before introducing workplace changes or increasing performance expectations.

As highlighted in the webinar presentation:

“AI and technology can enhance productivity, but protecting mental well-being remains a human responsibility.”

For PVP, the discussion reinforces the importance of evidence-informed workplace strategies that consider both organizational performance and the people behind it.

As The Philippines' Data-Driven Workforce Performance Partner, PVP continues to promote conversations and solutions that help organizations better understand workforce experiences, strengthen leadership, and create healthier, more sustainable workplaces.

Explore the Full Webinar Insights  

For a more detailed discussion of the webinar's key takeaways, including the mental health risks and benefits of AI and practical considerations for organizations, read PVP's feature article:

Smarter Work, Healthier Minds? What Organizations Need to Know About AI and Employee Mental Health

READ THE FULL ARTICLE - https://www.pvpi.co/stories

Watch the full webinar: https://youtu.be/Ka3Qxcdubys    

To learn more about PVP's workforce analytics, organizational mental health assessments, training programs, and organizational development services, visit https://www.pvpi.co.

BOHOL, PHILIPPINES — What if one of the most useful materials for building was already beneath our feet?

That question is at the heart of Miranalla Farm’s upcoming Earthbag Building Workshop, a seven-day hands-on natural building program taking place from November 23–29, 2026, at the working permaculture farm in Guindulman, Bohol.

Earthbag building is a construction method in which sturdy woven bags are filled with damp local subsoil, stacked in courses, tamped until solid, and secured between layers with barbed wire. The completed walls are then protected with natural earth or lime plaster. 

The method is relatively simple, but its relationship with the land is what makes it especially relevant to Miranalla Farm.

As a working permaculture farm, Miranalla is built around observing natural systems, using resources thoughtfully, and finding ways for people, food production, structures, and the surrounding environment to work together. Hosting an earthbag workshop extends those same principles from growing and caring for the land into the way spaces can be built upon it.

Much of an earthbag wall can be made using subsoil sourced directly from the building site, reducing the amount of material that needs to be transported in. Its thick earthen walls provide thermal mass, while the construction process itself uses simple tools and repeatable techniques that allow many hands to participate in building. 

The workshop therefore goes beyond demonstrating an alternative construction technique. It gives participants an opportunity to explore a larger question central to permaculture: how can we build in a way that responds to the resources, climate, and conditions already present in a place?

Leading the program is Rebecca Whan, an Australian architect, natural-building educator, and founder and principal of Auwa Earth. Whan’s work spans earth building, eco-design, and sustainable construction, with training in bio-architecture, bamboo construction, agroforestry, and specialized earth construction.

Over seven days, participants will follow the process from soil to wall, beginning with soil testing and earth-mix preparation before moving into foundation and circular layout, earthbag filling, laying and tamping, door and window construction, natural plastering and finishing, and principles of sustainable building. 

The hands-on format is intentional. Instead of only discussing natural building, participants will experience how earth is prepared, shaped, compacted, protected, and ultimately transformed into a built structure.

For Miranalla Farm, bringing the workshop to a working permaculture setting creates an opportunity to connect how we cultivate land with how we inhabit it—treating buildings not as something separate from their environment, but as another part of how people live and work within a landscape.

The Earthbag Building Workshop will be held at Miranalla Farm in Guindulman, Bohol, from November 23–29, 2026. Participation is limited, with 10 slots remaining.

TAYTAY, RIZAL — Over the last holiday season, the Department of Health's mental health hotline at the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) took 961 calls between December 21 and January 2. Anxiety and depressive symptoms were among the main reasons people called. Psychologists describe the season as one that amplifies emotional load: financial pressure, family expectations, grief, and disrupted sleep and routine.

At Indian Yoga School PH, pranayama (yogic breathing) and meditation are not add-ons. They are part of every Hatha Vinyasa class, alongside the physical practice. Classes are open to all levels, including complete beginners, and no flexibility is required.

Better sleep on class nights

Anna (not her real name), 38, was prescribed medication for sleep as part of her mental health treatment. After a few yoga sessions at the school, she noticed she slept better on the nights she had class.

"I used to take my sleep medication every night," Anna said. "After a few yoga sessions, I noticed I slept better after each class. Yoga is the only thing I added to my routine, and now I look forward to every class, whether it's gentle yoga with Teacher Anj or a more challenging class with Teacher Kirti."

The school stresses that any change to sleep or anxiety medication should be made with a doctor.

From 15 years of night shift to sleeping through the night

Chi, 33, completed the school's 100-hour Hatha Yoga Teacher Training in July. She has struggled with sleep since childhood and worked the night shift from 2011 until early 2026. She has never taken sleep medication.

"I've struggled with sleep since I was a child," Chi said. "Night shift felt like the obvious choice, because sleeping when you're dead tired sounds easier. But I'd wake up after two or three hours and couldn't fall back asleep. Even after I switched to days, I couldn't find my rhythm."

Her sleep tracker shows the change. In July, she went without sleep on about half of her nights. One stretch of three sleepless nights left her with a fever from exhaustion. In August, she slept nearly every night, usually from around 1 AM to 8 AM.

She signed up for teacher training because she enjoys teaching and fitness, not to fix her sleep. "I didn't realize the breathwork, the meditation and the calm were what my body needed," she said.

Why breath comes first

Lead teacher Yogi Kirti Anand Ji taught for more than 10 years at yoga schools in Rishikesh, India, and is certified under India's Ministry of AYUSH.

"When the mind is anxious, the breath is the first thing that changes, and the first thing we can learn to change back. In the tradition we teach, pranayama and meditation are not extras. They are the practice."

A 2018 systematic review of randomized controlled trials found that yoga may help people experiencing elevated anxiety, though evidence for diagnosed anxiety disorders is still inconclusive.

"Yoga is not a replacement for a doctor, a therapist or medication," said founder Anj Volante. "What it can give people is a daily practice that is theirs, a way to steady themselves during a season that asks a lot of them."

Hatha Vinyasa classes run at Indian Yoga School PH, Taytay, Rizal. Book a first class at indianyogaschoolph.com/booking-page.

Anyone in crisis can reach the NCMH Crisis Hotline 24/7 at 1553 (toll-free nationwide landline), 0919-057-1553 or 0917-899-8727.

QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES — Before additional locations, new technologies, and a growing range of aesthetic services became part of MOLD Manila, there was Baesa.

MOLD Manila’s Baesa branch is the clinic’s original location and remains an active part of the brand today, serving patients in North Quezon City with professional skin care and non-surgical aesthetic treatments.

Located along Quirino Highway, the branch represents where MOLD Manila first began developing its approach to aesthetics: individualized treatment plans, careful assessment, and results intended to complement rather than dramatically alter a patient’s natural features.

The Original Home of MOLD Manila

As MOLD Manila has evolved, the Baesa branch has remained part of its story.

For patients in North Quezon City, the location provides access to aesthetic consultations and treatments without requiring regular travel to other parts of Metro Manila for ongoing skin maintenance and aesthetic care.

The clinic’s approach begins with understanding the patient’s concerns rather than immediately recommending a particular procedure. Treatment options are considered according to factors such as skin condition, individual goals, previous treatments, and whether intervention is appropriate in the first place.

This allows patients to build a treatment plan based on their own needs instead of following a standardized aesthetic formula.

Aesthetic Care in North Quezon City

MOLD Manila Baesa serves patients seeking professional care for concerns including skin quality, texture, signs of aging, facial rejuvenation, and ongoing skin maintenance.

Available procedures may vary, with treatments recommended following consultation and assessment.

The branch also provides an important point of continuity for patients whose aesthetic care involves multiple sessions or long-term maintenance. Having an established aesthetic clinic within North Quezon City allows these patients to receive consultations, treatments, and follow-up care closer to their area.

While MOLD Manila has continued to develop beyond its original location, Baesa remains where the clinic’s story started—and where patients in North Quezon City continue to experience its approach to personalized aesthetic care.

MOLD Manila Baesa is located at 335 Quirino Highway, Baesa, Quezon City.

Patients are encouraged to contact the clinic to confirm available services and schedule a consultation.