In its usual sense, “give” means transferring something from one person to another - a present, some advice or a piece of information. But on TikTok, “it’s giving” has become a way to describe the feeling, impression or energy something creates.

A person wearing a green top and brown pants might be “giving tree”, a confident person could be “giving main character” or an outfit might be “giving Regency era”. In each case, the phrase means something like “it resembles”, “it evokes” or “it has the feel of” – but without saying any of those things directly.

UNSW Sydney researcher Cathy Xu from the School of Humanities & Languages says this is more than a passing internet catchphrase. It is an example of English changing in real time.

“TikTok is accelerating language change because it used to take decades for new phrases and expressions to move into everyday use, but now you can see it happen in a couple of years,” she says.

The beginning of ‘it’s giving’

Xu is researching how TikTok users play with language and how new forms spread through the platform. Her study of “it’s giving” shows users developing new ways to structure sentences and new meanings for familiar words.

“It has its own very sophisticated kind of syntactic structure,” she says. “It didn’t come out of nowhere. It has a natural derivation from an existing form.”

The phrase probably developed from expressions such as “giving off a certain vibe”. Over time, users dropped “off” and then “vibe”, leaving the shorter form: “it’s giving”.

The result is a new use of the verb “give”. In standard English, “give” often relates to a tangible object – as in “she gave him a present” – or describe delivering something, as in “she gave a speech”.

On TikTok, “give” can be followed by an adjectival phrase (which is often disguised as a noun phrase) or an independent clause, explains Xu:

“It’s giving Nick and Schmidt.”“She’s giving equestrian.”“This is giving enlightened.”“It’s giving someone’s been hitting the gym.”

The phrase can also appear as “it gives”, “definitely giving” or simply “giving”. It can mean that something resembles or evokes something else, but it can also work as a kind of conversational marker.

Beyond TikTok

People now use “it’s giving” beyond TikTok, including in podcasts, comedy and television.

“And, in fact, the phrase is now used in everyday conversation, especially among younger people,” she says.

The spread of the expression is partly connected to the way TikTok serves up content to its 1.59 billion monthly users. Videos can reach large audiences within hours, due to the platform’s algorithm and default For You Page which automatically plays videos without a user having to select anything.

“A video can go viral overnight, and language can be picked up by other users in their content quickly. Then suddenly this word is all everybody can be talking about,” says Xu.

TikTok also gives users space to test and refine new expressions.

“They may never learn formal rules for “it’s giving”, but many users recognise when it sounds right – and when it does not,” says Xu.

Xu found TikTok users correcting others when the phrase was used incorrectly. One person complained that a reality television program had overused “it’s giving”, while others pointed out that the expression works best when it creates an analogy rather than simply describing what is happening.

Their shared understanding points to an intuitive grammar developing around the expression.

“There’s no explicit grammar rules or rule book on this new variety of English on TikTok,” Xu says. “But everybody just knows what’s right, what’s wrong, how you should use it.”

TikTok and new cooking lingo

TikTok users are also transforming the meanings of words associated with food and cooking.

To “eat” or “ate” no longer necessarily refers to consuming food. It can mean that someone has done something particularly well. If someone “ate”, they succeeded or impressed.

“Cook” has a similar double meaning. In its active form – “you cook” or “you cooked” – it can mean that someone has done something well.

But “you’re cooked” means something very different: you are finished, ruined or in serious trouble.

“Serving” can also express praise. Someone might be “serving” a particular look or attitude when they appear confident, stylish or impressive.

Even “tea” has expanded beyond its familiar meaning as a drink or gossip. Xu says it can also be used to describe an attractive physique or body.

These expressions illustrate what Xu calls language play: users take familiar words and move them into new contexts, creating meanings that other users learn to recognise.

How TikTok is changing language in real time

Xu’s research looks at how TikTok users play with sounds, words, sentence structure and meaning. “It’s giving” shows how users reshape grammar and meaning (specifically syntax and semantics), while food-related expressions show how familiar words can take on new meanings.

Xu says TikTok’s language is not random or evidence that English is deteriorating. Instead, users are actively experimenting with the language and developing conventions that then spread rapidly through the platform.

The speed of that process means language change can now be observed almost as it happens.

For Xu, the question is not whether these expressions are “correct” according to prescriptive rules of English. It is how they are being used, how their meanings develop and whether they move beyond TikTok into everyday speech.

“'It’s giving' may eventually fade, change again or become established in a broader variety of English. But for now, it offers a glimpse of a language system being built collectively – one video, comment and conversation at a time," says Xu.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES – The Hospitality Asia Event Series has successfully concluded the 9th Hospitality Philippines Conference (#HPC2026), held on September 9–10, 2026, at the Marriott Manila. As the region’s premier two-day leadership assembly, the landmark event brought together the nation’s foremost asset owners, operators, developers, investors, and tech visionaries to address a pivotal country theme: "What Comes After Growth: Hospitality’s Next Test in the Philippines."

Aligned with the overarching 2026 Hospitality Asia regional mandate, “Leading Hospitality Forward: Investing in Design, Driving Results,” HPC2026 delivered unparalleled insights, high-level networking, and actionable strategies aimed at navigating the evolving market landscape beyond rapid growth.

Unprecedented Engagement and High-Impact Attendance

The 2026 edition saw exceptional engagement across both days, cementing its position as the ultimate gathering for decision-makers in the Philippine hospitality ecosystem. The event convened 125 expert speakers and 54 leading event sponsors and partners showcasing cutting-edge solutions. Over the course of the two-day assembly, the conference welcomed 484 actual unique event attendees, comprising top-tier C-level executives, developers, hotel general managers, and government representatives. Daily participation remained consistently strong, with 306 attendees on Day 1 and 378 attendees on Day 2, reflecting sustained momentum throughout the conference.

Summit Highlights: Navigating Investment, Design, Revenue, and Travel 

DAY 1: Investment & Design

The Hotel Investment Summit featured industry leaders engaging in robust discussions on capital deployment, asset optimization, emerging destination markets across the archipelago, and sustainable long-term yields. Panelists highlighted the transition from rapid expansion to value creation and risk mitigation in a competitive landscape.

"This is a testament of the growth of the industry that we have in the Philippines. It’s no longer just Manila that’s discussed, but also in other parts of the Philippines who want to know how the hotel industry will be in the next five years. So this is a great learning platform for all different aspects of the hospitality industry, as well as how we can help each other in the growth."

— Christine Angela Sevilla, Senior Director, Development, South East Asia Pacific, Radisson Hotel Group

Simultaneously, the Hotel Design Summit brought design pioneers and architects together to showcase master planning strategies that seamlessly blend modern luxury with authentic Filipino cultural heritage, emphasizing climate-resilient architecture, wellness-centric hospitality environments, and space optimization to drive operational efficiency.

"My session is on tropical intelligence and smart design in the most valuable areas in the Philippines. I want people to see that despite the presence of developments, development is not always bad as long as you're not just tapping into the environment, but you're improving the environment. A good development is able to enhance unique benefits, allowing people to experience things that they have never experienced before and through dialogues like here at HPC 2026, allows us to care more for tropical intelligence and the beautiful islands of the Philippines."

— German Paulo de Mesa, Partner, Director for Design and Innovations, Palafox

DAY 2: Revenue & Technology

The second day opened with an inspiring Cultural Performance sponsored by the Tourism Promotions Board, celebrating the rich heritage and warmth of Filipino hospitality. Following the opening, the Hotel Revenue Summit brought together revenue strategists and commercial leaders to delve into advanced dynamic pricing models, direct booking strategies, customer acquisition economics, and total revenue management to maximize profitability.

"My takeaway from the summit is how to build a strong brand, being able to offer experiences, things that make your brand and OTA reliance. It's time to take control of your guests and be able to bring back that human connection, that curated experience, and the perfect stay in the hospitality industry."

— Nicolas Jason Cotterman, Sales Development Representative, Profitroom

Concurrently, the Travel Byte Summit explored the intersection of artificial intelligence, guest personalization platforms, smart hotel technology, and digital transformation, linking technological adoption directly to operational excellence and inclusive tourism growth.

"This is a good opportunity to bring together people from diverse backgrounds and different types of operations. I wish that we can learn from each other, see how we can use the learnings in our operations and make sure that we consider that tourism is not just for me. It’s really for everyone else, making sure that we are able to share the rewards or incentives of tourism."

— Asec. Ma. Christina Aquino, Assistant Secretary, Tourism Regulation and Coordination (TRC), Department of Tourism

Exhibition, Networking, and Strategic Partnerships

Beyond the stage discussions, the bustling exhibition floor served as a focal point for collaboration. Attendees interacted with elite partners and sponsors showcasing state-of-the-art products, green tech solutions, and service innovations. Structured networking sessions and informal exchanges fostered critical business connections, paving the way for upcoming hotel developments and strategic alliances across the country.

"Well, I think many people don't really know about the Philippines. It's always nice to do this kind of event to bring awareness about the culture and about the people. I'm sure that with all those islands and all those places, the Philippines will be able to bring much more tourism. What is important in the hospitality industry is not only about selling a product; there are people behind it. So we have to know who the people behind it are because we are not only using a product, but the products operate with people as well. So it's a dynamic between the people who are creating the product and the technology."

— Philippe Raunet, VP Overseas Partnership, Tripla

Looking Ahead: Celebrating 10 Years in 2027

The event concluded on a high note of excitement as organizers officially announced the upcoming milestone 10th Anniversary of the Hospitality Philippines Conference in 2027 (#HPC2027). As the conference prepares to celebrate a decade of shaping the national hospitality landscape, organizers express their deepest gratitude to all speakers, sponsors, attendees, and partners for making HPC2026 a monumental success.

For detailed summit takeaways and early registration details for HPC2027, please visit Hospitality Asia Event Series

METRO MANILA, Philippines —  Young Filipino singer Kara Lopez is bringing her voice to Little Elara: The Butterfly Feeling, performing two original songs created specifically for the newest installment of the Little Elara series, a bedtime storytelling project created for mothers and their young daughters.

Recorded in Metro Manila, Lopez performs “How You Know” and “My Butterfly Feeling,” two original songs written by author and Little Elara creator Michael Evans as part of the project’s original musical soundtrack.

The story follows Little Elara through a magical world of butterflies, moonlit gardens and quiet choices. Beneath the fairytale setting is a simple lesson for young girls: feelings deserve to be heard, kindness can exist alongside boundaries, and a child can learn to pause, listen to herself and make choices she feels comfortable with.

For mothers, Evans said, the project was designed to make those conversations feel less like lessons and more like something a daughter can absorb naturally while curled up beside her mother at bedtime.

“I wanted to create something a mother could put on at night and know that, underneath the music, butterflies and bedtime story, her daughter is hearing messages that may stay with her long after childhood,” Evans said. “Little girls should grow up knowing that they can be loving and kind without leaving themselves behind.”

Kara’s performance is central to that experience. Rather than functioning simply as background music, the songs carry the story’s message through the voice of a child speaking to other children.

“I’m happy to be part of this project because I want my singing to inspire people and make them feel that they are not alone. I learned that it’s important to believe in yourself and use your voice to encourage others.” — Kara Lopez

That message closely reflects the heart of The Butterfly Feeling. Throughout the story, Little Elara begins to understand her own quiet inner signals through a butterfly metaphor. She learns to feel, pause, listen and choose, while discovering that she can care about the entire garden without having to “land” everywhere.

One of the story’s central lines captures that lesson: “You can love the whole garden, Little Elara… you just don’t have to land everywhere.”

A Filipino Voice in a Story Created for Mothers and Daughters

Kara’s participation also gives the project a meaningful connection to the Philippines, where her vocals were recorded. Her young voice provides an innocence that allows the songs to feel as though they belong naturally inside Little Elara’s world rather than being placed over it.

The visual story is followed by an extended 432 Hz sleep-music experience, accompanied by dim nighttime imagery designed to transition children gently from storytelling into a peaceful night of rest. The result combines a children’s story, original music, emotional learning and bedtime relaxation into one mother-and-daughter experience.

Evans created the broader Little Elara series around the idea that some of the most important lessons a girl carries into adulthood can begin quietly, years earlier, in moments when she feels secure enough to listen.

For Kara Lopez, The Butterfly Feeling marks an opportunity to use her emerging voice for something larger than a performance.

For the mothers who press play, the hope is even simpler: that their daughters fall asleep with a song in their hearts—and wake up a little more certain that their own voice matters.

Watch Little Elara: The Butterfly Feeling

Mothers and daughters can watch Little Elara: The Butterfly Feeling on YouTube.

Follow Kara Lopez on Instagram for more from the young Filipino singer.

At the World of Consumer Electronics Expo (WOCEE) 2026, Keepital once again demonstrated its commitment to empowering SMEs and innovators by organizing a vibrant Start‑Up Pavilion. This initiative brought together six promising start‑ups and a powerhouse IP institution, offering them a platform to showcase their ideas, engage with industry leaders, and connect with potential partners.

By curating this collaborative space, Keepital amplified the visibility of emerging ventures and provided them with the credibility needed to stand out in a competitive marketplace. The presence of the Ateneo Intellectual Property Office (AIPO) further underscored the importance of intellectual property in fostering innovation, as the office engaged directly with the industry to highlight its role in supporting start‑ups and entrepreneurs.

The result was the Keepital Startup Pavilion: a curated cluster of booths within the WOCEE floor, anchored by a dedicated stage programme on Day 2, August 6, designed to give each participant not just a booth but a genuine launchpad.

The Exhibitors

Keepital opened applications to startups across the consumer technology ecosystem and selected seven participants for the pavilion:

Ateneo Intellectual Property Office (AIPO) anchored the pavilion as the institutional partner, bringing IP commercialization expertise and presenting the opening panel discussion.

a11y media, formerly known as Wika and the only Philippine startup selected from 800+ applicants for the Real Madrid Next Accelerator, brought its accessible media platform to WOCEE, serving the Filipino Deaf and hard of hearing community through sign language video content and captions.

KLARO brought AI-powered sales and inventory management designed for Philippine cooperatives and agri-businesses still running on handwritten logbooks, one of the most grounded applications of AI to reach the expo floor.

Domantay Consulting (DC Digital), founded in 2018, represented the communications and brand side of the ecosystem. A reminder that every technology company eventually needs to be heard, not just built.

Vaura entered as an AI-powered content engine, offering businesses a smarter, faster pipeline for producing brand-consistent content at scale.

BetterClinic demonstrated its AI ambient scribe that listens during medical consultations and auto-generates clinical notes, prescriptions, and PhilHealth claims, built specifically for the Philippine healthcare context and compliant with the Data Privacy Act.

SOFI AI, a member of the NVIDIA Inception Program and a Google for Startups alumnus, showcased its customer engagement automation platform that is a 24/7 chat, multilingual, and deployable across Facebook, Instagram, Shopify, and more.

Throughout the event, Keepital’s team actively engaged with visitors, facilitating conversations that bridged start‑ups with investors, collaborators, and customers. The pavilion was not only a showcase of innovation but also a hub of meaningful exchange where ideas were shared, partnerships were formed, and opportunities for growth were unlocked.

Beyond supporting the exhibitors, Keepital also contributed to the success of WOCEE itself, ensuring that the Start‑Up Pavilion added value to the overall program. This dual role, both as exhibitor and organizer, reflected Keepital’s mission to strengthen ecosystems, empower SMEs, and create platforms where businesses can thrive.

WOCEE 2026 was more than just an exhibition; it was a celebration of ingenuity, collaboration, and forward‑thinking. By championing start‑ups and partnering with institutions like AIPO, Keepital reaffirmed its position as a trusted ally in driving innovation across Southeast Asia. The success of the pavilion highlights Keepital’s dedication to building bridges between emerging businesses and the wider industry, paving the way for sustainable growth and global visibility.

Ready to Get Noticed?

Join the many ASEAN SMEs already taking advantage of this digital shift. Be discovered when buyers search. Turn visibility into real business.

Reach out today: ask@keepital.com | sales.ph@keepital.com | Schedule a meeting

Visit: www.keepital.com | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok 

Join our community: B2B Business Networking

Case Valker, a Malaysian travel gear brand, today announced the expansion of its EVE2 luggage collection, a lineup of lightweight polycarbonate suitcases designed specifically for the demands of long-haul air travel. The range comes in three sizes, 20-inch, 24-inch, and 28-inch, priced from RM149, RM289, and RM319 respectively, undercutting many rivals that offer a similar feature set at more than double the cost.

The launch responds to a common pain point for frequent flyers: airline weight allowances that leave little room to spare once the suitcase itself is factored in. Case Valker built the EVE2 around a polycarbonate shell, a material the company selected for its ability to flex and absorb impact during handling rather than crack under pressure, while remaining significantly lighter than ABS plastic or aluminium alternatives.

The design reflects a simple principle: every kilogram a suitcase weighs empty is a kilogram travellers cannot pack. Case Valker built the EVE2 collection so that travellers no longer have to choose between a bag that is light, a bag that is durable, and a bag that is genuinely useful at the airport, combining all three into a single design.

Key Features of the EVE2 Collection

• FrontFlip™ laptop compartment: a dedicated front-opening panel that gives travellers access to a laptop or tablet without unzipping the main compartment, aimed at speeding up security checks and in-transit access.
• Smooth+ 360° silent spinner wheels: engineered for quiet, low-effort rolling across airport flooring, cobblestones, and other uneven surfaces.
• TSA-approved lock: built-in compliance for US-bound itineraries and accepted on most major international routes.
• Anti-theft double zipper: a dual-zip closure intended to deter tampering in transit and at accommodation.
• Expandable design: additional zip capacity for return-journey packing without needing a second bag.
• Telescopic handle and multi-compartment interior: adjustable handle heights and a flexible strap-and-divider system to keep packed items organised and compressed.

Each size in the collection is cabin- or checked-appropriate: the 20-inch model meets most airlines' carry-on dimension limits, while the 24-inch and 28-inch models are designed for one-to-two-week and extended or family trips as checked baggage.

Backed by Extended Warranty Coverage

Case Valker is positioning the EVE2 as a long-term travel investment rather than a single-trip purchase, backing the collection with a 5-year warranty against shell cracking and a 2-year warranty on the handle, lock, zip, and wheel components, covering manufacturing defects from the date of receipt.

Availability

The Case Valker EVE2 Collection is available now in 20-inch, 24-inch, and 28-inch sizes starting at RM149, through the Case Valker online store and its full range of retail collections.

About Case Valker

Case Valker is a travel gear brand offering lightweight, hard-shell luggage and travel accessories, including its EVE2, NOVA, and CENA collections, alongside sling bags, backpacks, and travel essentials. The company focuses on building suitcases that balance low weight, durability, and airport-ready functionality for frequent and long-haul travellers. More information and the full product range are available on the official Case Valker website .

Club Tourism International Inc., a Japan-based travel company, announced that its drift ice tour in Hokkaido for international visitors to Japan has been awarded the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Award at the Tour Grand Prix 2026, one of Japan’s most prestigious travel industry awards. The tour was designed as a shared travel experience in which Japanese and international travelers explore Hokkaido together on the same itinerary. It was highly praised for creating opportunities for cross-cultural interaction through multilingual support, and for offering an efficient way to explore the Shiretoko and Abashiri areas, which can be difficult to access independently in winter. Following this award, Club Tourism has launched overseas sales for the 2027 winter season and will actively promote the unique appeal of Hokkaido in winter to travelers worldwide, with a particular focus on East Asia and Southeast Asia.

This 2-day tour brings together the very best of Hokkaido’s winter wonders, featuring 7 unforgettable drift ice viewpoints and experiences. Travelers can efficiently explore Eastern Hokkaido, including the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Shiretoko Peninsula, and enjoy unique winter experiences that are difficult to arrange independently, such as a cruise aboard the Aurora Drift Ice Sightseeing Icebreaker and a hands-on drift ice experience.

Tour page URL: https://tour.club-t.com/tour/detail?p_from=880000&p_company_cd=1002000&p_course_no2=22724&p_baitai_web=CTOP&p_baitai=990&ToCd=TD

· 7 drift ice views and experiences:

1. Panoramic drift ice views from Mt. Tento
2. Drift ice touch experience in Shari
3. Drift ice views from the large hot spring bath at Shiretoko Daiichi Hotel
4. Oshinkoshin Falls, one of Shiretoko’s most scenic waterfalls
5. Kitahama Station, known as the closest railway station to drift ice
6. Roadside Station Ryuhyo-kaido Abashiri
7. Close-up drift ice viewing aboard the Aurora icebreaker cruise

· Premium accommodation and dining

Guests stay at Shiretoko Daiichi Hotel, one of the leading resort hotels in the Shiretoko area, where they can enjoy hot springs and cuisine unique to Hokkaido.

· Simple direct booking

Travelers around the world can book easily through Club Tourism’s official multilingual website.

· Departure period

Departures are scheduled to depart from late January through early March 2027. Please visit the official website for specific departure dates and travel prices.

[Background of the Award and the Significance of the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Award]

The Tour Grand Prix is a prestigious award program that recognizes outstanding travel products developed and operated in Japan. Club Tourism's drift ice tour received the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Award in recognition of its innovative approach of bringing Japanese and international travelers together on the same tour, its provision of safe and comfortable winter travel in Hokkaido, and its contribution to regional tourism. Key factors behind the award included:

● Promoting interaction between Japanese travelers and international travelers

The tour brings Japanese and international travelers together on the same journey through Hokkaido, creating opportunities for meaningful interaction beyond language and cultural differences while allowing participants to experience Japan's unique spirit of hospitality firsthand.

● Ensuring safe winter travel in Hokkaido

Winter driving conditions in Hokkaido can present challenges, particularly for visitors unfamiliar with snowy roads. The tour addresses these concerns by providing professionally managed transportation, accompanied by experienced tour escorts and drivers, allowing participants to travel safely and comfortably throughout the region.

● Contributing to the regional economy and promoting sustainable tourism

By bringing Japanese and international travelers together on the same tour, the program helps maintain a stable flow of visitors to the region. This contributes to local hotels, attractions, and tourism businesses while also supporting sustainable tourism through guidance on local etiquette and responsible travel practices provided by tour conductors.

[Future Outlook: Executive Comment]

"We are honored to receive this award as recognition of our efforts to connect travelers from around the world with the unique attractions found throughout Japan. Through our multilingual official website, we will continue to showcase the appeal of destinations across the country, including Hokkaido, and provide high-quality travel experiences through a diverse range of tour products for international travelers."

[About Club Tourism International Inc.]

Club Tourism International Inc. is one of Japan's leading travel companies, specializing in a wide range of themed tours and escorted travel experiences. The company provides both domestic and international travelers with enriching journeys that highlight the unique character, culture, and attractions of destinations throughout Japan.

· Official multilingual website URLs

Traditional Chinese: https://www.club-t.com/zh-CHT/

English: https://www.club-t.com/en/

Club Tourism International Inc., a Japan-based travel company, announced that its drift ice tour in Hokkaido for international visitors to Japan has been awarded the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Award at the Tour Grand Prix 2026, one of Japan’s most prestigious travel industry awards. The tour was designed as a shared travel experience in which Japanese and international travelers explore Hokkaido together on the same itinerary. It was highly praised for creating opportunities for cross-cultural interaction through multilingual support, and for offering an efficient way to explore the Shiretoko and Abashiri areas, which can be difficult to access independently in winter. Following this award, Club Tourism has launched overseas sales for the 2027 winter season and will actively promote the unique appeal of Hokkaido in winter to travelers worldwide, with a particular focus on East Asia and Southeast Asia.

This 2-day tour brings together the very best of Hokkaido’s winter wonders, featuring 7 unforgettable drift ice viewpoints and experiences. Travelers can efficiently explore Eastern Hokkaido, including the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Shiretoko Peninsula, and enjoy unique winter experiences that are difficult to arrange independently, such as a cruise aboard the Aurora Drift Ice Sightseeing Icebreaker and a hands-on drift ice experience.

Tour page URL: https://tour.club-t.com/tour/detail?p_from=880000&p_company_cd=1002000&p_course_no2=22724&p_baitai_web=CTOP&p_baitai=990&ToCd=TD

· 7 drift ice views and experiences:

1. Panoramic drift ice views from Mt. Tento
2. Drift ice touch experience in Shari
3. Drift ice views from the large hot spring bath at Shiretoko Daiichi Hotel
4. Oshinkoshin Falls, one of Shiretoko’s most scenic waterfalls
5. Kitahama Station, known as the closest railway station to drift ice
6. Roadside Station Ryuhyo-kaido Abashiri
7. Close-up drift ice viewing aboard the Aurora icebreaker cruise

· Premium accommodation and dining

Guests stay at Shiretoko Daiichi Hotel, one of the leading resort hotels in the Shiretoko area, where they can enjoy hot springs and cuisine unique to Hokkaido.

· Simple direct booking

Travelers around the world can book easily through Club Tourism’s official multilingual website.

· Departure period

Departures are scheduled to depart from late January through early March 2027. Please visit the official website for specific departure dates and travel prices.

[Background of the Award and the Significance of the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Award]

The Tour Grand Prix is a prestigious award program that recognizes outstanding travel products developed and operated in Japan. Club Tourism's drift ice tour received the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Award in recognition of its innovative approach of bringing Japanese and international travelers together on the same tour, its provision of safe and comfortable winter travel in Hokkaido, and its contribution to regional tourism. Key factors behind the award included:

● Promoting interaction between Japanese travelers and international travelers

The tour brings Japanese and international travelers together on the same journey through Hokkaido, creating opportunities for meaningful interaction beyond language and cultural differences while allowing participants to experience Japan's unique spirit of hospitality firsthand.

● Ensuring safe winter travel in Hokkaido

Winter driving conditions in Hokkaido can present challenges, particularly for visitors unfamiliar with snowy roads. The tour addresses these concerns by providing professionally managed transportation, accompanied by experienced tour escorts and drivers, allowing participants to travel safely and comfortably throughout the region.

● Contributing to the regional economy and promoting sustainable tourism

By bringing Japanese and international travelers together on the same tour, the program helps maintain a stable flow of visitors to the region. This contributes to local hotels, attractions, and tourism businesses while also supporting sustainable tourism through guidance on local etiquette and responsible travel practices provided by tour conductors.

[Future Outlook: Executive Comment]

"We are honored to receive this award as recognition of our efforts to connect travelers from around the world with the unique attractions found throughout Japan. Through our multilingual official website, we will continue to showcase the appeal of destinations across the country, including Hokkaido, and provide high-quality travel experiences through a diverse range of tour products for international travelers."

[About Club Tourism International Inc.]

Club Tourism International Inc. is one of Japan's leading travel companies, specializing in a wide range of themed tours and escorted travel experiences. The company provides both domestic and international travelers with enriching journeys that highlight the unique character, culture, and attractions of destinations throughout Japan.

· Official multilingual website URLs

Traditional Chinese: https://www.club-t.com/zh-CHT/

English: https://www.club-t.com/en/

AUSTIN, Texas — Carziqo is expanding its autonomous mobility operations in Austin with the introduction of its ER-SX autonomous ride-hailing series, as the company prepares for a broader operational shift toward 24/7 fleet availability from Monday through Sunday.

The deployment represents more than the arrival of another vehicle series in Carziqo’s growing autonomous mobility network. It also coincides with a significant change in how the company intends to manage vehicle maintenance, fleet availability and day-to-day operations.

Carziqo has traditionally used Sunday as a centralized fleet maintenance day, temporarily removing vehicles from normal operations so technical and operations teams could conduct inspections, servicing and other routine work.

Under the new model, that system is being replaced by a more flexible approach in which individual vehicles will be assigned maintenance windows according to their actual operating condition rather than being taken offline as part of a fleet-wide weekly shutdown.

The ER-SX series in Austin is among the vehicle programs being introduced under the company’s “24/7 Operations, Monday to Sunday” framework.

From Weekly Shutdowns to Vehicle-Specific Maintenance

According to Carziqo, autonomous ride-hailing and delivery vehicles will remain available for deployment on Sundays instead of being automatically withdrawn from service.

Each vehicle will instead receive an individual maintenance schedule based on factors including mileage, operating history, technical condition, service requirements and fleet deployment plans.

The company said its fleet management platform will coordinate when vehicles should be directed to designated service locations for inspections, cleaning, preventive maintenance, software diagnostics and other routine servicing.

The objective is to move maintenance from a fixed calendar-based system toward a more dynamic operational model.

Rather than treating every vehicle as though it requires maintenance at the same time, the new system is designed to determine when each unit actually requires attention while allowing other available vehicles to remain in service.

For autonomous fleets, where vehicle utilization, software status, battery condition and accumulated mileage can vary considerably from one unit to another, such an approach could allow maintenance resources to be allocated more precisely.

ER-SX Begins Operations in Austin

Austin has become one of the markets where Carziqo is continuing to develop its autonomous ride-hailing operations.

The introduction of the ER-SX adds another vehicle platform to the company’s mobility network, with the series designed for continuous urban service and integration with Carziqo’s centralized fleet management infrastructure.

Instead of functioning simply as standalone vehicles, ER-SX units are intended to operate as part of a connected system that coordinates vehicle availability, dispatching, diagnostics, operational monitoring and maintenance scheduling.

That system becomes increasingly important as Carziqo moves toward seven-day operations.

Keeping vehicles available throughout the week requires more than eliminating a scheduled maintenance day. It requires the fleet operator to identify when individual vehicles should remain in service, when they should be rotated out and when preventive intervention is necessary before technical issues affect operations.

Carziqo’s new maintenance model is intended to address that challenge.

A Broader Shift in Fleet Management

The move marks an important operational transition for the company.

Traditional fleet maintenance often relies on predictable servicing intervals or scheduled downtime because such systems are straightforward to manage across large numbers of vehicles.

Autonomous fleets, however, generate substantially more operational and technical data.

Mileage, route intensity, sensor status, software performance, charging cycles and vehicle utilization can all contribute to determining when a particular vehicle needs servicing.

Carziqo said its fleet management platform will increasingly use this vehicle-level information to coordinate maintenance without requiring the entire fleet to stop operating simultaneously.

The result could resemble a continuous rotation model: some vehicles remain available to passengers and logistics customers while others temporarily leave service for inspection or maintenance before returning to operation.

Such an approach is commonly important for mobility networks seeking to increase fleet availability without reducing maintenance standards.

More Available Hours for Ride-Hailing and Delivery

For passengers and logistics customers, the most visible effect of the change may simply be greater vehicle availability.

Under the previous model, Sunday maintenance reduced the number of hours during which vehicles could be deployed. With fixed weekly downtime being phased out, eligible vehicles may continue accepting operational assignments throughout the weekend.

That gives Carziqo additional flexibility to respond to fluctuations in passenger demand and delivery requirements.

Weekend transportation patterns can differ substantially from weekday activity, particularly in large urban markets where entertainment, airport travel, shopping, dining and other activities create demand outside conventional commuting hours.

A seven-day operating model gives the company the ability to allocate vehicles according to those patterns rather than automatically removing an entire portion of the fleet from service on a predetermined day.

Operational Implications for Vehicle Programs

The change may also be relevant to participants in Carziqo vehicle operation programs.

Where operational performance is influenced by the number of days and hours a vehicle is available for service, reducing scheduled fleet-wide downtime can create additional opportunities for vehicles to complete passenger or delivery assignments.

That does not mean every vehicle will operate continuously.

Individual units may still be unavailable because of maintenance, charging, diagnostics, route allocation, demand conditions or other operational requirements.

Instead, the principal difference is that downtime will increasingly be determined at the individual vehicle level rather than being automatically applied to the entire fleet every Sunday.

In practical terms, Carziqo is shifting from a “stop the fleet to maintain the fleet” model toward a “maintain each vehicle when required” model.

Autonomous Mobility Moves Toward Continuous Operations

As autonomous ride-hailing companies move from demonstration programs toward larger-scale commercial operations, fleet availability is becoming an increasingly important part of the technology equation.

Autonomous driving capability alone does not determine whether a mobility service can operate efficiently.

Companies must also coordinate cleaning, charging, preventive maintenance, software updates, sensor calibration, diagnostics and vehicle repositioning while keeping sufficient numbers of vehicles available for customers.

Carziqo’s latest operational change suggests the company is placing greater emphasis on that fleet-management layer.

The ER-SX deployment in Austin therefore represents both a vehicle launch and a test of a broader operating philosophy: autonomous vehicles that are managed continuously rather than according to a single weekly shutdown schedule.

For Carziqo, the transition toward Monday-to-Sunday operations reflects the next stage of building an autonomous mobility network in which vehicles, maintenance systems and fleet software operate as part of a continuously coordinated platform.

As the ER-SX begins service in Austin, the company’s focus is increasingly shifting from simply putting autonomous vehicles on the road to keeping those vehicles available, maintained and operational throughout the week.

This strategic agenda was conducted to monitor, safeguard, and accelerate regional economic growth in support of achieving the national economic growth target of 8%, as mandated in Presidential Regulation Number 12 of 2025 concerning the National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN) 2025–2029.

This cross-ministerial and agency work meeting opened with direct directions from the Secretary General of Kemendagri, Police Commissioner General Drs. Tomsi Tohir, M.Si., and featured key speakers and presenters:

- Police Commissioner General Drs. Tomsi Tohir, M.Si. – Secretary General of the Ministry of Home Affairs

- Teni Widuriyanti – Secretary of the Ministry of National Development Planning / Principal Secretary of Bappenas

- Moh Edy Mahmud – Deputy for Balance Sheet and Statistical Analysis, Statistics Indonesia (BPS)

- Ir. Medrilzam, M.Prof.Rcon., Ph.D. – Deputy for Regional Development, Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas

Problem-Solving Approach and Regional Work Plan Formulation

The Secretary General of Kemendagri emphasized the importance of shifting from mere administrative monitoring (compliance-oriented) to a concrete problem-solving approach (problem-solving oriented). During the technical session, the Head of the Center for Regional Policy Strategy, Population, and Public Services of Kemendagri, Dr. T.R Fahsul Falah, S.Sos., M.Si., together with the Head of the Data and Information Systems Center, presented a technical explanation of activities and the division of work regions for the monitoring team. This forum thoroughly analyzed economic growth figures at the regency/city level and formulated concrete actions for local governments.

To ensure effective supervision across Indonesia, the work meeting divided discussions into provincial regional groups per island. All Echelon I Officials of Kemendagri were assigned as officials-in-charge to coordinate the formulation and presentation of the Work Plan for Each Province.

Concrete Actions and Strengthening Early Warning Indicators

During the panel discussion, Kemendagri together with Bappenas, BPS, and the Ministry of Investment/BKPM aligned evaluation indicators for regional economic growth:

- Use of Early Warning Indicators: Implementing a monthly early warning system from BPS to read regional economic dynamic signals in real time.

- Acceleration of Investment and Licensing: Resolving licensing bottlenecks in regions and optimizing investment potential to encourage ease of doing business.

- Nine Strategic Steps for Local Governments: Encouraging regions to accelerate regional budget (APBD) realization, infrastructure projects, staple food price control, job creation, and boosting industrial output as well as primary sectors.

The three-day series of activities concluded with a consolidation of meeting results and closing remarks by the Secretary General of Kemendagri on Sunday, September 6, 2026, ensuring that all provinces have measurable, timely, and result-oriented action plans (no issue without owner, no owner without deadline)

JAKARTA, September 10, 2026 — Ondo Finance and FLOQ have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to bring tokenized U.S. stock and exchange-traded fund (ETF) exposure to eligible users in Indonesia, connecting Ondo Finance’s tokenized securities technology with FLOQ’s locally regulated digital asset platform and more than 1.8 million registered users. The agreement was signed during Indonesia Blockchain Week (IDBW) 2026 in Jakarta, following a panel discussion on the future of tokenized U.S. equities, ETFs and global market access. The MoU establishes a framework for both companies to assess potential product integration, local distribution, education, technical requirements and the regulatory pathway required before tokenized capital-market products could become available through FLOQ.

The collaboration comes as Indonesia’s digital asset ecosystem continues to grow. In June 2026, Indonesia recorded 22.69 million digital financial asset and crypto consumers, while crypto transaction value reached IDR28.58 trillion during the month, according to figures reported by Indonesia’s Financial Services Authority, OJK (Indonesia’s Financial Services Authority). For FLOQ and Ondo, the opportunity is not simply to introduce another category of digital assets. The partnership explores whether Indonesia’s established crypto infrastructure and user adoption can provide a pathway toward broader access to global public-market assets through tokenization.

Bringing Exposure to U.S. Stocks and ETFs Onchain

Ondo Finance has built one of the largest platforms for tokenizing public-market securities, connecting U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs with blockchain infrastructure. Through Ondo Stocks, eligible investors outside the United States can gain onchain economic exposure to hundreds of publicly traded U.S. stocks and ETFs via tokenized securities issued by Ondo Global Markets (BVI) Limited. Ondo Finance currently tokenizes more than 430 tokenized stocks and ETFs, with the underlying shares held through U.S.-registered broker-dealers. Ondo tokenized stocks are designed to be fully backed by the corresponding stocks or ETFs and to track the economic performance of the underlying assets. Ondo Stocks crossed US$1 billion in total value locked (TVL) in May 2026, less than eight months after launch.

The collaboration with FLOQ now explores how that infrastructure could potentially connect with Indonesian users through a regulated local platform.

Exploring Tokenized U.S. Stocks for Indonesia

Under the MoU, FLOQ and Ondo Finance will assess the potential availability of tokenized U.S. equities and ETFs through the FLOQ ecosystem. Potential assets could include tokenized exposure to globally recognized U.S.-listed companies such as Nvidia, Apple, Amazon, Alphabet, Meta and Tesla, as well as major ETFs including SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) and Invesco QQQ. These assets are among those being considered within the broader collaboration; no specific product has yet been confirmed for launch in Indonesia.

Any future availability will remain subject to legal, compliance and technical review, applicable OJK (Indonesia’s Financial Services Authority) requirements, asset-listing or whitelisting processes and any other regulatory approvals required in Indonesia.

The companies will also evaluate appropriate product disclosures, education and user-protection requirements before any implementation. For FLOQ, the longer-term opportunity is to connect Indonesia’s established digital asset ecosystem with an increasingly broad universe of financial products being brought onchain globally.

For Ondo Finance, the collaboration provides an opportunity to explore how its tokenized public-market infrastructure can reach a major Southeast Asian digital economy through an established local platform.

Why Indonesia Matters

Indonesia’s scale provides an important backdrop to the partnership.

Digital asset participation has grown significantly in recent years, while the country continues to develop its regulatory framework for crypto assets and other digital financial assets. OJK (Indonesia’s Financial Services Authority) has also identified asset tokenization and stablecoins among the areas being considered as part of the development of Indonesia’s digital financial asset ecosystem. For global financial and Web3 companies, this creates an increasingly relevant market at the intersection of traditional finance and blockchain-based infrastructure.

“Indonesia has a large and highly engaged digital asset community, making it an important market for the growth of tokenized securities. At Ondo, we’re building the infrastructure to bring stocks and ETFs onchain, and see a strong opportunity in a market where demand for high-quality financial assets is growing. FLOQ gives us a strong local partner to explore how tokenized public-market assets can responsibly reach eligible users in Indonesia.” Rania Rahardja, Senior Director for Asia Pacific at Ondo Finance.

From Crypto Markets to Global Public Markets

The MoU was signed following the IDBW 2026 panel discussion titled “Beyond Crypto: Tokenized U.S. Stocks, ETFs and the Future of Global Market Access.” The session brought together Rania Rahardja, Senior Director at Ondo Finance; Kalimasada, Indonesian crypto trader and educator; Marco Manoppo, General Partner at SharpByte Capital; and Yudhono Rawis, Founder and CEO of FLOQ.

The discussion explored how tokenization could change the infrastructure through which investors access traditional financial instruments, particularly as public-market securities increasingly move onto blockchain rails. It also highlighted an important distinction between direct ownership of a traditional security, economic exposure through a tokenized product, and ownership of an ecosystem token. Each structure may involve different rights, mechanics, and risk profiles.

For FLOQ, education around those distinctions will be an important component of any future implementation.

Yudhono Rawis, Founder and CEO of FLOQ, said the collaboration reflects FLOQ’s broader ambition to connect Indonesian users with developments taking place across global financial markets.

“Indonesia already has a substantial digital asset ecosystem. We believe the next stage is not simply about adding more assets, but about exploring how global financial products and new market infrastructure can become accessible to Indonesian users responsibly. Ondo Finance has built significant capability in bringing traditional securities onchain, while FLOQ brings regulated local distribution, community and a deep understanding of the Indonesian market. We believe that combination creates a meaningful opportunity to explore.”

Tokenization Without Losing Sight of the Underlying Asset

Ondo Finance’s tokenized-stock technology is designed to connect blockchain accessibility with the underlying liquidity and assets of traditional public markets.

Ondo Stocks are issued by Ondo Global Markets (BVI) Limited, a British Virgin Islands special purpose vehicle that is co-owned by Ondo Finance and the Ondo Foundation. Ondo Stocks are fully backed by corresponding U.S. stocks, ETFs and cash held with U.S.-registered broker-dealers. An independent verification agent reviews the backing, while the structure includes protections designed for token holders.

Rather than creating an entirely separate pool of liquidity onchain, Ondo’s model is designed to connect tokenized assets with liquidity in the underlying traditional markets.

This distinction is particularly important as tokenized securities move beyond crypto-native audiences and begin reaching investors more familiar with traditional equities and ETFs.

For Indonesian users, potential access through FLOQ would therefore represent exposure to familiar global public-market names through a fundamentally different technological infrastructure.

Education and Regulatory Readiness

As part of the collaboration, FLOQ and Ondo Finance also intend to explore joint educational initiatives for the FLOQ community. Potential programs would cover how tokenized stocks and ETFs work, the relationship between a tokenized product and its underlying asset, the difference between direct securities ownership and tokenized economic exposure, issuance and redemption mechanisms, and the market and product risks users should understand. The companies believe education will be particularly important as the boundary between traditional capital markets and blockchain-based financial infrastructure continues to evolve.

All product communication and any future commercial implementation will remain subject to applicable legal, compliance and regulatory requirements in Indonesia.

Building a Bridge Between Global Markets and Indonesia

For FLOQ, the collaboration represents part of a broader strategy to connect Indonesia’s digital asset ecosystem with products and infrastructure being developed globally. FLOQ has more than 1.8 million registered users, more than 2 million app downloads, over 250,000 followers across seven social media platforms, and more than 25,000 active community members.

For Ondo Finance, the partnership creates an opportunity to explore distribution of its tokenized public-market infrastructure within a large, digitally engaged market through an established Indonesian platform.

The potential significance of the collaboration therefore extends beyond individual stocks or ETFs.

It explores whether the infrastructure that has already brought hundreds of U.S. public-market securities onchain can be connected responsibly with one of Southeast Asia’s most significant digital asset communities.